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RO/DI filters change question

njtiger24 aquariums

njtiger24 aquariums

Officer Emeritus
Article Contributor
Guys,
I have a BRS 4strage 75g/day RO/DI unit. They say you should change the Sediment Filter and Carbon Block Filter about every 6 months. They also state that you should change the DI Sediment when it changes color, presure drops, or every year.
When my one year came up my pressure didn't drop and my DI didn't change color but I change it anyway. Now to try and keep my unit running smoothly I decided I would change the DI every time I change the other two filters.
Back story. Due to living in an apartment I do not have my unit hooked up. I only hook it up when I make water (which is about every other week). I flush the system (using the built in flush) for 3min before starting my buckets and 3 min when I'm done.
About 6 months ago I did my full change (all filters and DI) and now again getting to the point of changing those filters again. My question is none of my filters look dirty or clog, my pressure hasn't dropped, the TDS meter (built in) reads 0 in and 0 out. Do I still change the filters anyway?
 
njtiger24 aquariums

njtiger24 aquariums

Officer Emeritus
Article Contributor
well as I am making water now I checked my TDS meter. It now reading 2 in and 0 out. I just ordered new filters and will change them out. Seeing how I'm still getting 0 out I am still good right?
 
njtiger24 aquariums

njtiger24 aquariums

Officer Emeritus
Article Contributor
@Edwardw771 I been thinking of getting another TDS meter cause mine has always read 0 in and 0 out. Now I do live in an apartment building which isn't too old (about 14 to 15 year old). They might have some type of filter coming into the complex that I am not sure of.
 
Trio91

Trio91

Administrator
Staff member
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my tap water usually reads around 140+ ish. after my my RO it usually starts in around 7ish then i run it until it reaches 2-1 tds (give or take). for me, i have gone with the assumption on not to trust the color changing resin and have recently starting testing for phosphates in my newly made water (as a matter of fact you mentioned this method to me as well when i was explaining my water issues) . i also just upgraded my sediment filters, carbon block and GAC cartridges to a smaller micron (went from 5mic to 1mic)

by way of habit, i do normally change things out every 6 months but will pull the trigger on it sooner if necessary. being that your unit isn't hooked up, and your not constantly making water, if you were to flush out the membranes before each usage, you should be able to extend the life on them

to best answer your question (IMO), i would test the newly made water, this way that sample can double confirm for you the quality and if you should change out the cartridges
 
njtiger24 aquariums

njtiger24 aquariums

Officer Emeritus
Article Contributor
saltkreep88 said:
Look at the first page of that
Click to expand...

The Sediment filter I order is 1 mic. I will see if I can get a smaller one next time.

I don't have an issue with algae or losing any corals/fish so I am assuming my water is ok.

I will keep on my schedule of changing every 6 months just to be on the safe side. I more just wanted to make sure I wasn't wasting money with replacing good filters.
 
kschweer

kschweer

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Staff member
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saltkreep88 said:
So carbon every six months because it protects the membrane, sediment when you see a pressure drop of you have a gauge, and di only when your over one tds. Your wasting money replacing di before you see a tds rise.
Click to expand...
I agree. Keep up with the 6 months on the sediment and carbon as they protect the membrane. It seems us southerners have a little better water than those up north. My incoming is 50-60 untreated and normally down to 0 before going through the di. I have seen people get 1 year+ out of a di cartridge in the right circumstances.
 
njtiger24 aquariums

njtiger24 aquariums

Officer Emeritus
Article Contributor
so today I changed out all my filters (including the DI). I ran a 3min flush and 1min system flush (ran as normal but had the line still in the drain) I turned the TDS meter on right away. It started with 9ppm in and 0ppm out. By the time all my flushes were done I was doing 1ppm in and 0ppm out. I still think I am going to pick up another meter but I am now believing there might be a filter or something before the water comes out my sink. This is a newer building (2011 or so I think it was built)
 
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