Coconut vs Carbon filters?

[Awibrandy]

Good morning gals & guys!

It's time to replace my ro/di filters again. My TDS reading is 20ppm vs the 0 I have been getting all along.

Which should I go with?

AWI's "Acid Washed Coconut Carbon Block",

or

BRS' "MATRIKX + CTO?/2 Carbon Block"?

I am leaning towards the BRS units. What do you good folks think?

Also, should I also replace the DI unit, and membrane since my ro/di will be 4 years old this coming February?

 

[THEDLO]

i think i have a spare carbon block...ill have to check when i go home. if i do and ur going to the meet i can bring it. or u can pic one up from tito. i believe there less then 10

 

[Awibrandy]

Thanks a bunch THEDLO!

Come on people, I need to order these filters asap. I can't even make top off water.;(

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I couldn't find anything in the item description on BRS about what type of carbon is used but it is also acid washed so it could be coconut based as well. I'd say both are going to be very similar so unless there is a big price difference, it doesn't matter much which one you get. As for the membrane and DI, well if you are still getting a 0 TDS reading from your current membrane it should be fine. The DI you just have to watch for the color change, although 4 years seems like a really long time for the DI to be still active.

 

[Awibrandy]

I couldn't find anything in the item description on BRS about what type of carbon is used but it is also acid washed so it could be coconut based as well. I'd say both are going to be very similar so unless there is a big price difference, it doesn't matter much which one you get. As for the membrane and DI, well if you are still getting a 0 TDS reading from your current membrane it should be fine. The DI you just have to watch for the color change, although 4 years seems like a really long time for the DI to be still active.

Thanks buddy. That is what I was thinking, but not being sure bothers me.lol So much uncertainties created in this reefing world.LOL

That is just it, I am NOT getting a 0 TDS. It is now reading 20, and yet the guy at BRS stated that it was probably cause my pre filters are in need of replacement. I was ready to purchase all new, until he threw that curve at me.

 

[prattreef]

Clogged pre-filters would not cause your TDS to go up, they would just cause your water production rate to go down. There is also zero chance your DI resin is still functioning after 4 years-- my guess is that it hasn't been functioning for a LONG time which leads me to believe that your RO membrane has been doing all the work and is finally done. So I would, at this point, replace all the filters.

 

[Alex]

Clogged pre-filters would not cause your TDS to go up, they would just cause your water production rate to go down. There is also zero chance your DI resin is still functioning after 4 years-- my guess is that it hasn't been functioning for a LONG time which leads me to believe that your RO membrane has been doing all the work and is finally done. So I would, at this point, replace all the filters.

I agree with randy, truth is it's 4 years old and if you've been making a lot of RODI water its time for an overhaul of all the filters, this way you have piece of mind." When in doubt, change them out".

 

[Awibrandy]

Clogged pre-filters would not cause your TDS to go up, they would just cause your water production rate to go down. There is also zero chance your DI resin is still functioning after 4 years-- my guess is that it hasn't been functioning for a LONG time which leads me to believe that your RO membrane has been doing all the work and is finally done. So I would, at this point, replace all the filters.

Thanks a million Randy! That is what I thought, and I so thank you for the confirmation.:hug:

I agree with randy, truth is it's 4 years old and if you've been making a lot of RODI water its time for an overhaul of all the filters, this way you have piece of mind." When in doubt, change them out".

Thank you also Alex!

Off to AWI to place my order. They didn't try to confuse me.lol

 

[lfsmarineguy]

The membrane is after the prefilter and carbon so if you think about it for even a second it doesn't make any sense that your prefilter would cause TDS to show up in the water when it still has to pass through the membrane? I sometimes wonder if some people get battlefield promotions at work.

"Well, crap, bob just dropped dead at his desk. Who do we have that can answer phones?"
"Go get Mikey from the mail room, he's our new tech support."

 

[Awibrandy]

The membrane is after the prefilter and carbon so if you think about it for even a second it doesn't make any sense that your prefilter would cause TDS to show up in the water when it still has to pass through the membrane? I sometimes wonder if some people get battlefield promotions at work.

"Well, crap, bob just dropped dead at his desk. Who do we have that can answer phones?"
"Go get Mikey from the mail room, he's our new tech support."

ROFLMFAO Good one!LOL

BRS just sent me an email asking if I had any question?lol

I ordered everything. Oh yeah, from the original makers of my ro/di -AWI. Even though my inline DI is only a year old, I figured it's shot too.:irked: