RODI Water smells

[rayviv]

I have a buckeye system and still fairly new. It works well. My question is; This last batch of water I made seems to have a gas smell to it. I have two 44gal brute cans with a small hole in top for rudi line to go into. Usually I make enough water for a 20gal weekly change on Saturdays. But I made this water and missed the change and went to top off and noticed a gas smell. Its in the laundry room and I thought maybe I was smelling water heater or something but when I rolled brute into front room and took the lid off the smell was coming from water. Has this happened to anyone else? Is it because I did not not have it circulating? Help. Can I circulate it and get smell out? should I trash it? :confused:

[marinelife]

hmm, I never heard of this. I will look around and see what I can find about this unless someone else knows.

[rayviv]

I've had a pump in it since noonish and uncovered and oder seems to have disapated. What is it that about the gas that is in aquariums that collects when pumps are off too long?

[marinelife]

How old is the membrane, it seems if they get to old they can cause the water to smell.

[rayviv]

Oct. and I've run about 15-20 gal a week and sometimes only every 2 wks. depending on water readings which have been consistent and good. Its not really broken in yet.

[marinelife]

hmm, that usually causes issue but that is new.

[rayviv]

I think it is just because I didn't have water circulating and had the lid on it. It seems OK and oder is all gone and tds is 1. Was told it needs longer to break-in to get it down to 0.

[marinelife]

That could be, if it is going away you should be ok.

[rayviv]

Update on water. I used that to change about 20% and after reading two days later the nitrates were @ 20. Very unusual for our readings. We are pretty stable. Made more water and did another change of 25-30%. Haven't took reading yet since that was yesterday; But made more water and checked TDS. I was 14 coming out of RODI. Is that too bad to use? I dont understand why it went up. It was @ 1 last check. I have the same unit that Dodd has and its not been used that much. Any suggestions?

[Buckeye Field Supply]

Let's troubleshoot it a bit.

First the smell - was it the smell of gasoline? Rotten egg smell?

Now the TDS issue. Turn the system on and let it run for 5 minutes. W/o turning it off, take a sample of the DI water. What is the tds?

w/o turning it off, get a sample and test the RO water. What is the tds?

Then grab a sample of your tap water - what does it read?

When the system is running, how much pressure do you have?


Russ

[Buckeye Field Supply]

As to whether or not to use the 14 ppm water, can you give me some additional info re how you took that measurement? Did you make that measurement after the DI water had been in your reservoir?

Russ

[rayviv]

No. That measurement was taken directly from the unit. Water dripped into a cup and was taken from inside the cup.

[Buckeye Field Supply]

Was it the smell of gasoline? Rotten egg smell?

When the system is running, how much pressure do you have?

Did you let the system run for a few minutes before taking he sample?

[rayviv]

I think wife Vivian answered some before I got up but just in case; My pressure gage Reads 50 after being on for over five minutes. The smell was in reservoir, And that of gas, but not gasoline, more like natural gas. Unless I just associated it w/water heater which is also in laundry room. And unit run for awhile before sample was taken, and at unit was 14; reservoir was 12; tap was 424. I only know how to check water out of end of unit where it goes into reservoir. How would I check RO w/o DI ? :confused:

[Buckeye Field Supply]

That natural gasx smell very well may have been coming from your gas water heater, or it might have been the smell of hydrogen sulfide from your water.

If you took that sample of your DI correctly, you are long over due for some new DI resin. I wouldn't use that water in my reef tank.

If your system doesn't have the plumbing in place to sample the RO water, you may have to disconnect a tube to get a sample, or temporarily remove your DI cartridge.

Russ

[rayviv]

The gas smell was diffinitely in the water/reservoir. Was easy to tell once I rolled container in living room. I just thought that my unit/resin would last as long as Dodds' @ NDR. Is this a process of elimination?
I do appreciate your time and help w/this.
Sincerely, Ray

[marinelife]

My DI only last for about 150-200 Gallons of water, I buy bulk so I usually change mine between every water change on the main tank.

[rayviv]

I thought it would last a lot longer than that. I guess I'll have to order some resin. Thanks

[Buckeye Field Supply]

The life span of your resin is due in large part to the amount of water you run through it, and the TDS of that water. So if you burn through resin quickly, check the TDS of your RO water, and calculate the rejection rate of yur membrane. It may be that your membrane is old/bad/not installed correctly.

Russ

[rayviv]

I understand the variables; Can you tell me what an average gallons would be? and what is the best deal you have on resin. Is it better to buy a bulk or is it just more of a mess that way?

[marinelife]

Not sure about Buckeye's prices and he is free to post them or PM you about it.


Here is what I get:
MB-1
Mixed Bed Deionizer Resin
From http://www.apswater.com/mixed_bed_deionizer_resin_mb_1.htm

This lasts me a few years and ends up saving me tons of cash.

[rayviv]

Thanks 4 info. A little out of my range rite now tho.

[Buckeye Field Supply]

I understand the variables; Can you tell me what an average gallons would be? and what is the best deal you have on resin. Is it better to buy a bulk or is it just more of a mess that way?

We have single refills (1.25 lbs) for $12.
We have 5 lbs for about $39

We buy in very large quantities so if you want some thing larger let us know.

Russ

[rayviv]

I'll get the 5lbs. Can I order this from you or do I need to use buckeye website? Are you going to be in the area? If not what is the shipping going to cost?
And once again I want to thank you for the help.
Sincerely, Raymond

[Buckeye Field Supply]

You can order directly from the website. Shipping is the cost from UPS. Should be minimal to your location.

Thanks,
Russ

[rayviv]

I see the filter kits listed but no prices on them. Should I call it in to find out?

[Buckeye Field Supply]

Ray - UPS give us an estimate of $9.64 for ground shipping to your location.

[Buckeye Field Supply]

I understand the variables; Can you tell me what an average gallons would be? and what is the best deal you have on resin. Is it better to buy a bulk or is it just more of a mess that way?

Ray - to estimate how many gallons you should get from a single 10" x 2.5" cartridge, I'll need to know the TDS of your RO water.

Russ

[rayviv]

Ok; The water @ RO out is 16; The water @ resin out is 16 also. The tap water is 424.
Readings were taken as you specified in earlier post, (allowed to run 10 min./taken in clean container). The temperature was 70*f on all 3 samples. My resin is only 1/2 discolored. Bottom half looks like new and top looks darkened. Carbon block is White like new and sediment filter is light tan/brown. I first set it @ 3-to-1 ratio. Every 2 weeks I make aprox. 30gal.

[Buckeye Field Supply]

You are getting a 96% rejection rate so your membrane is in pretty good shape.

Are you on well water by chance?

Are you on city water with chloramines?

Russ

[rayviv]

Huber Heights water. Their water source is well water from the Great Miami Valley Buried Aquifer.
And readings are as follows.
Copper-0.192ppm;
Lead-6.6ppd;
Fluoride-0.93ppm;
Total Chlorine-1.3ppm;
TTHM(total trihalomethanes-17.61ppb.

These are from the City of Huber Heights 2008 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

[rayviv]

Russ: P.S. On the readings presure was 50-51.