RO Unit Question

[jwright]

I have a Pinnacle 3 stage 35GPD RO unit. What can I do to make it better? I guess I dont believe it is giving me optimal water quality. Should I add a DI canister to my setup? I live in Michigan and my water source is well water, the pressure is right at about 40 psi through the RO unit. Do I need to boost that? if so what type of pump would be recommended?

Thanks In Advance

 

[seaham358]

Why do you think your water is not up to par? Algae issues??
A DI housing can help remove the extra stuff the ro does not. A booster pump IMO is a great add on to any ro/di.
Check ebay for a booster pump I got mine there for a great price. Aquatec makes the pumps.
Airwaterice also sell great ro/di units and parts.
40 is at the low end for the unit 70 psi is where it should be for making the max GPD.

 

[SassyAngel111]

you might also try H2O sicence on ebay I found that he as great prices. Boster pump for under 90.00. I would go with the biggest pump just incase you would want to upgrade your membrain to like a 75gpd.

 

[seaham358]

the problem with going with a bigger pump is it maybe too much for the lower membranes and it may hurt them. My guess this is why they make different pumps. I know you can turn down the pressure on the larger pump but I would wonder if this would hurt the pump long term. I got the 8800 for under 80 on ebay.. Shop around you will find a good deal outh there.

 

[jwright]

Yeah its algae - Red Algae - small amount of Hair algae. My Phosphates are 0 in the tank and in the ro water. My nitrates are 20 and usually hold there. that is probably the issue. I do bi weekly water changes of 25 gallons. I think after reading many other posts I need to work on a cleanup crew. I havent had much luck with snails they dont seem to last much longer than 6 months. But maybe ill try again. I was also thinking about getting some sort of Macro algae for my sump. Maybe that would help with the nitrates. I have a turbo floater multi skimmer running it seems to do a pretty good job.

 

[seaham358]

Inverts will do nothing to help with cyno, I have tried many inverts and NONE ever did anything to help with cyno.. Ok, Just because your test kit says 0 on PO4 it dose not mean its not there. What is probably happening is the cyno is consuming the PO4 to levels where it is not detected by the kit. A phosban reactor would help with the cyno. I had cyno with 0 PO4 and only after adding a PB reactor and changing out old lights and adding new filters did it go away. Siphon it out each time you do a water change.

 

[Alvarez]

I have a 4 stage 50gpd RO/DI unit. what does the GPD stand for exactly? I would like to get another 1/4 inch John Guest adaptor so I can hook one line up to the faucet and another line up to my python hose. Anyone know where I can get another one at?

 

[Alvarez]

Also... Dechlorinator (Aqua Plus etc...) isnt needed when using R/O water correct?

 

[austinsdad]

GPD = gallons per day

 

[Alvarez]

Yea I read that at the LFS, I figured thats what it was...

The AquaPlus dechlorinator isn't needed with RO water right?

 

[jwright]

What kind of phosphate reactor do you have? I have seen the phosban 150 on fostersand smiths site for 150 gallon tank. I have a 180 with a 40 gallon sump.? Thinking if I were to do this and use that one I may need 2 of em. At any rate I have left my lights off for the past few days and wiped out the algae that way? if the algae is consuming the phosphate I should be able to get a phosphate reading I would think before the algae takeshold again. You dont think my nitrate levels are an issue? I also bumped my flow quite a bit I added a tunze stream 6080 - 1600 gph thinking that would Help also. If nothing else my fish seem to really enjoy cruising in the current. The lighting on the tank are 2 5ft VHO Aqua Sun Bulbs. I think they are 140 watts eacc that are about 6 months old now. I replaced my old lights in the fall.

 

[seaham358]

dechlorinator is NOT needed for ro water.