TDS on Self Made RO

D

david540i

Membership Expired
I was just wondering what is the highest possible that the TDS can read before having to replace the cartridges.

Also, what else do you test for right before placing RO in tank as a top-off.

I've dumped about 3gallons in the tank and over a weeks time, GHA has started to populate! :x

thanks
David
 
HI
Well since no one else is answering your question I'll give it a shot.
TDS should be as close to zero as possible, I have heard 5 is a good number to shoot for, I haven't changed mine in a long time and I'm up to 20 but I haven't had any problems so I'm not to worried about it. If you have a explosion of algae I would be looking for ammonia or nitrates. Of course there is always the question did you change salt brands? That can do it to. Hope that helps
Joe

I am going to duck behind the couch now
 
If this started recently as you mentioned then I would test both your top-off and tank water for phosphates and nitrates. Bulbs that are old and have shifted spectrum can also contribute to GHA growth.

Cheers!
 
Maybe it is my bulbs then... they been in use for over 1.5years.. :p I've notice that my coraline has faded from purple to brown as well

Think I'll switch to T-5s...

Another question, can a Icecap 660 power 4 t-5? Are the wiring the same as VHO's?
 
I believe the highest TDS reading I've ever had over the past 1year+ has been around .0023. I buy my water exclusively from a retail source at 35 cents per gallon. Prior to using this source, I was using an RO/DI unit and was fighting GHA continually. The water in the Murphy area SUCKS !!!! big time. I do not mind hauling containers for filing with water of this quality. What I do not want to experience again is using an RO/DI unit and realizing that the filters are no longer good after only a couple of months use because of a GHA bloom. I know I should have been testing the TDS reading, but I never expected the filters to fail so quickly. Besides, I know that my retail source tests the water daily, and the reading I've stated above is indeed correct.
 
I don't know tradosz, I would double check that TDS reading or seriously question the source.

.0023 TDS :shock: !!!! That means they are filtering water down to 23 Ten Thousanths of a Part Per Million TDS. You would need a Lab Grade TDS meter to get that low. That would be Pharmaceutical grade, or better water. That may not even be water anymore.

I am sorry, but if they are actually claiming .0023 TDS they are full of B********, or they don't know how to read or use a TDS meter.

All that aside, if the water works good for you it must be OK. Just an incompetent retailer.
 
Sorry for the rant. I forgot to answer the original question too.

I have let my RO/DI water get to 12 PPM TDS for an extended period in the past and never had a problem.

With my new 7 stage RO/DI, when any one of the three DI cartirdges tests 1 PPM TDS I replace it.
 
Todd, The reading is correct. When you use a 5 foot tall UV, and mebranne and filters of the same dimension, you can and do get this kind of result. These retail water outlets for human comsumption are highly regulated now in Texas. Licenses are required now to not only sell the water, but also RO/DI units. One look at the equipment being used should make a believer out of you. If you're ever in the Garland area and are interested enough to check this source, PM me and I'll give you the details. Don't want this to sound like I'm soliciting business for this Vendor. All I know is my tank has never looked better, when it comes to water quality.
 
Just curious, is the vendor "Water Provisions to Go" at 842 Beltline Rd.?

(Either way, as long as you're not an employee of the vendor or anything, feel free to post who it is!)
 
I am going to back off of the .0023 reading somewhat. I just spoke with the owner to clarify his readings. There are times that he has actually had ZERO readings, but never over 1.00. The technology being used here has to be seen. The membrane used is part of a nano filtration procedure that is indeed filtering out particulates to the point where these readings are factual. Again, seeing the entire system will show you that it is indeed not B******* !!!! If it was not probably illegal to place a friendly wager on these statements, I would do so.
 
Brian, you are correct about the Vendor. I guess I'm probably correct that I still can't place a friendly wager on those TDS readings?!!!
 
Here is a statement copied and pasted from their web site.

"The Source water first enters an Automatic Granular carbon filter that removes particulate matter down to 20 microns. The water then enters a second filter that is activated carbon. This filter removes chlorine, chloramines, solvents, lead, insecticides, gasses, and other harmful contaminants. This filter also works as a water softener without the use of salt by drawing hardness particles together and crystallizing them. The next step is a 5 micron filter that removes particles, sediment, and algae. The water is then sent to the Reverse Osmosis membrane where it is forced through a semi permeable .0002 micron membrane, allowing only pure water molecules to pass. Prior to final dispensing, the water travels through a 1 cubic foot post Carbon filter and then through a Stainless Steel Ultraviolet Sterilizer."

The smallest filter there water goes through is 5 microns, the RO and a final carbon filter.

My water goes through a .2 micron sediment, 5 micron carbon, .5 micron carbon and then an ultra pure RO membrane. This is far finer than what is stated above and my water comes out of my RO membrane at 1 PPM from a source water TDS of 520 PPM. Then it goes through the DI to get to 0 PPM TDS.
 
I'm pretty sure the wagering would still be frowned upon... :)

But... Water Provisions to Go is a club sponsor actually...

They're "I" on the LFS map page:

http://www.dfwmas.org/lfs.html
 
Todd

We use at our store Nano filtration. Nano was developed 10 year ago for the Medical industry. You have to be a Water Conditioning Engineer in order to have Nano filtration. We use all 316 stainless steel fitting in order to have the ultra low TDS readings. Just to let you know I serve on the State of Texas Health Board and chair the code enforcement division. There are a lot of conflicting data out there. But if you every have a question about water? Give me call So I can help you be better informed.
 
@ToddLaCo wrote:
Here is a statement copied and pasted from their web site. "then sent to the Reverse Osmosis membrane where it is forced through a semi permeable .0002 micron membrane" The smallest filter there water goes through is 5 microns said:
I make my own water, so I have no interest in this company. But, the membrane they listed is MUCH finer than the membranes your ro/di has.
-Chuck
Click to expand...
 
I am sorry if I made it sound as if I was stating that the water from "Water Provisions to go" was not good water. I am sure that you supply quality "drinking" water.

I personally doubt that the Dept of Health would let you sell water that was .0023 PPM TDS. There have been papers written on the effects of near mineral free water being used as drinking water or for food preperation. This would, in effect, strip our bodies of their needed minerals. This is kind of the same reason that some would say it is not good to run too soft of water in household plumbing. Too pure of water can erode the pipes as it pulls minerals from them.

Here is a link to a reference which speaks about the use of demineralized water for drinking. It is only a draft, but all I could find on short notice. It is also a foreign paper but contains some American references.

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/nutdemineralized.pdf

Once again, I have absolutely nothing against the aforementioned company and I am not saying that it is bad for drinking. Quite the contrary, I'm sure it's great water. I just have a hard time believing such a low TDS for drinking water.
 
Todd:

If you want a debate on the issues Please don't submit a draft paper that has questionable references to support it findings. If you want to research Please go to WQA website for data. If you have any questions please call me. I would like to see that you are informed on the science of water.
 
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