Veteran Reefer Wanted

[djfassler]

Greetings BRS!

This is a quick update about the saltwater tank being established at a Dorchester school. With much support from many of the BRS regulars, we have the tank plumbed out and it's a matter of days before we get it circulating. There isn't much to look at just yet, but give it a day or so and I'll try to get some photos up.

We are in need of some information. Recently we purchased a Dvoneb RODI unit off eBay. I checked this brand out and it seems to be a relatively common unit and I've not heard anything bad about it. The situation is this, the tap water from our school has a TDS reading of 75 PPM. The final product from this unit gives a TDS reading of 25 PPM. It is my understanding that this unit should give a 1-2 PPM reading. The directions to assemble the unit read like a car repair manual, and I'm not above admitting that I did something wrong, however, I don't know what it would be. Anyone who has any experience with this brand, your insight would be greatly valued.

A second matter is circulation pumps. We are looking to purchase at a modest price two to three of these pumps. We have enough to drive the essentials, but we don't have any for the main tank. Anyone who is interested in donating, or selling at a small price some of these pumps, we would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks again for everyone who offered advice, technical support, or equipment for our project. Pictures to come soon.

Ever forward.

 

[fanaglethebagle]

How old is the DI resin?

 

[spivack]

You might also need to let it run and waste a few gallons. I know the initial run of my rodi was higher than expected.

What school in Dorchester? I grew up in that area..

 

[Chris L]

it will need to be " broken in " for a few gallons before you see the good stuff

 

[djfassler]

The school is Smith Leadership Academy Charter Public School, close to Fields Corner. My boss fussed at me for leaving the unit running last weekend, so it pumped out a few hundred gallons of water already. And the unit was purchased new, out of the box. The reverse osmosis membrane was in a sealed plastic bag and it was generically marked "To Maintain Freshness".

 

[APISTOBORELLI]

I think it needs to run for a bit before the TDS will come down. I just changed mine and the TDS dropped after 2 hours to zero.

 

[NateHanson]

It shouldn't be that high after running overnight. I'd call the manufacturer at this point.

Perhaps you could first just trace the path of the water from inlet to outlet, and make sure it goes through each pre-filter, then into the RO membrane, then the WASTE outlet from the membrane goes down the drain, and the PRODUCT outlet from the membrane goes into the DI cannister.

One possibility could be that you're putting the waste water through the DI? (although I think that would still give you zero TDS for a little while). Or maybe the membrane is busted, AND you're not going through the DI?

My best guess would be that somethings wrong with the unit. See if you can trace the path as I've described above, and then call the manufacturer (if there's a way to do that).

 

[djfassler]

Okay Friends, here's the latest:

I went back and reviewed our purchase. The unit is running as advertised, at about 20 PPM. When I purchased it, I didn't know I should have purchased a 0 PPM unit. Here's what I'm wondering, after looking at the 0 PPM unit and comparing it to what we have, they look like they are all built with off-the-shelf parts, and I'm wondering if I just need to get a different RO membrane to improve the water quality. Everything from this manufacture looks like it's uniform in design and made from standardized parts.

Any thoughts?

PS - the tank is up and circulating now. We have a leak somewhere in the protein skimmer, and one of our pumps isn't working, so if anyone has any Rio 2100 or similar pumps they would want to sell cheap, we are definitely in the market.