RO/DI Troubleshooting Help

[Centity]

Hey, I was wondering if someone could help me with my RO/Di system.

I noticed that a few months ago the output from it would not always be very fast and I needed to move it around/readjust the tubes to get it to come out properly. It kept outputting slower and slower until it completely stopped.

It is a budget 5 chamber and the 3rd chamber is where the membrane is and possibly the problem. The 3rd chamber is designed with 1 input and 2 outputs. 1 of the outputs is for the waste and has a flow controller of some sort and the other has an L checkvalve. I noticed that in the 3rd chamber if I remove the check valve the water comes through at a very low pressure, but with the check valve it does not appear that there is enough pressure to continue on to the next chamber. Does this mean my membrane needs replacing? This kit is about 6 - 8 months old and has not seen too much use. Is there anything else I can do to troubleshoot the system? I tried flushing it out but it appears to be functioning the same way (possibly I did it wrong). My critters need some fresh water .

 

[House of Laughter]

it's likely the membrane. Rarely is it the hoses and connections. Have you tried bypassing the membrane chamber with a longer piece of hose and see what the output was like? For the .28 cents it would cost you for hose, this is a good way to troubleshoot.

House

 

[mbg75]

check valve is usually if your running a float switch. if using a float, theres usually a check valve and a shutoff valve.

the flowcontroller (flow restrictor) keeps the ratio of waste to RO correct.

are you using a float set-up?

 

[Centity]

check valve is usually if your running a float switch. if using a float, theres usually a check valve and a shutoff valve.

the flowcontroller (flow restrictor) keeps the ratio of waste to RO correct.

are you using a float set-up?

no I don't think there is a float switch. It is actually the model shown here:

The output with the pink ring from the middle chamber appears to be a check valve. I guess it is to prevent pressure from building up in the membrane, but am not sure.

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

On my system the membrane feeds the Di then to my tank. The membrane here is in the middle. That's weird.

 

[Centity]

it's likely the membrane. Rarely is it the hoses and connections. Have you tried bypassing the membrane chamber with a longer piece of hose and see what the output was like? For the .28 cents it would cost you for hose, this is a good way to troubleshoot.

House

I will try this out, but am fairly convinced that without the membrane chamber it will have heavy output since there is nowhere else for the water to go.

Can't something like this potentially damage the filters in the 4/5th chamber?

 

[mbg75]

just re-read your post, how long since you changed the filters? (not the membrane)

about how many gal have you made since the filters have been changed?

 

[Centity]

just re-read your post, how long since you changed the filters? (not the membrane)

about how many gal have you made since the filters have been changed?

+1:link:

I systematically replaced all of my filters one and found that the slowdown was occurring in the 2nd filter: CL10RO. I have yet to change any filters but see that I need to now.

I don't know what it does, but it seems to be the source of the problem. I am now making water without without it until I can get a replacement