New RO system

[smokinjoe1952]

I thought I didn't need one! I was using distilled water for watering, but tap water for everything else. Now I use RO water for my humidity tray to reduce mineral build-up, I use it for a double soak of LECA and I use it for flushing of course. My wife even uses it now for her steam iron. We are also going to try it in the espresso machine.

I bought one of Firstray's RO systems and installed it a couple days ago. I wanted this to be close to the laundry sink, but did not want to drag it in and out of storage. I have attached a couple pictures to show the installation.

Here's the skinny on what I did:

1. Hung the system from a couple hooks using the holes in the RO canister frame.
2. Added several 90 degree couplings to clean-up the look. (No lines swooping out...not really a big deal though)
3. Added a quick disconnect on the supply end.
4. Added shutoff valves on the input and waste lines since I disconnect after each use, and want to make sure the system doesn't drain to protect the RO membrane and prevent water on the carpet.
5. Added some washers on the output and waste lines right after the valves for a little weight to hold the lines in place.
6. Added the C clamps on all connectors since I will be moving lines each time I use the system.

The system looks fine, and I can literally hook it up or disconnect it in under 30 seconds. Swing the lines into the sink, attach the input line to the quick connect, open the valves and faucet and you are done!

Performance:
Measured with a cheap TDS meter from Amazon, although the accuracy was specified as to be quite good.

Distilled Water: 0 ppm
Tap Water: 185 ppm
RO Water: 23 ppm

The system will overflow a gallon container in UNDER 8 minutes. We do have high water pressure, but that exceeded my expectations.

I THOUGHT that I would only be using the system once a month, but now it seems a couple times a week is more likely.

One final comment is that my municipal water report from 2016 listed the ppm of city water at 310 ppm. Reading only 185 ppm out of my tap certainly surprised me.

Hope this might encourage those that are on the fence about an RO system.

SJ

[bil]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe1952

I THOUGHT that I would only be using the system once a month, but now it seems a couple times a week is more likely.

Goo job.

Don't worry, you'll soon have enough orchids to use it much more often!

[Ray]

I suggest that you turn down the spigot when you use it.

If you have enough water pressure to push that 50 gpd "low-pressure" membrane to that output rate, you are probably overwhelming the membrane's ability to filter properly. I would expect that the membrane would give you that output TDS at over 300 ppm input, but less if it's really 185.

[Subrosa]

Aside from grinding your own beans as needed, using water with the minerals removed will make the biggest improvement in your caffeine fix.

---------- Post added at 08:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:21 AM ----------

And yes, your product water should be in the low single digits.

[smokinjoe1952]

I have roasted my own coffee for years, and grind each cup as part of the brewing process. The great thing about fresh roasted, fresh ground coffee is that green beans are ~$6 lb.

The really, really great thing is the taste!

---------- Post added at 09:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 AM ----------

Ray - I thought it was possibly too high a flow rate, but was happy with 23 ppm. I will turn down the tap, measure the time to fill a gallon jug then measure the ppm again.

Do you have any specs as to the maximum RO water output flow rate the membrane can handle? In terms of minutes per gallon would be great.

If the rated RO output is a max. of 50 gallons per day, with a day being 24 hours, then I should be getting a gallon in 28 minutes...not 8.

SJ

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe1952

I have roasted my own coffee for years, and grind each cup as part of the brewing process. The great thing about fresh roasted, fresh ground coffee is that green beans are ~$6 lb.

The really, really great thing is the taste!

---------- Post added at 09:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 AM ----------

Ray - I thought it was possibly too high a flow rate, but was happy with 23 ppm. I will turn down the tap, measure the time to fill a gallon jug then measure the ppm again.

Do you have any specs as to the maximum RO water output flow rate the membrane can handle? In terms of minutes per gallon would be great.

If the rated RO output is a max. of 50 gallons per day, with a day being 24 hours, then I should be getting a gallon in 28 minutes...not 8.

SJ

Read the fine print! Your unit makes 50 gpd@70°F and either 50 or 60 psi water pressure. Drop the temp to 50°F and your production will be cut in half or more. Low pressure will have the same effect. What you want to do is regulate the flow of the waste line so that the unit operates at its stated rejection rate. If it's 3:1 you want the unit to produce 3 gal of waste in the time it takes to make 1 gal of product.

[smokinjoe1952]

I'm not sure where the fine print is you referenced. I see that the output is 50gal/day at 20 psi. I don't see anything about 50 or 60 psi. I also don't see a max. membrane output which is what I was asking.

Also, my unit is outputting MORE RO water than waste water at about the 2:1 ratio. I.E. 2 RO to 1 waste.

Regardless, I just got done slowing the RO output to 1 gal in 27 minutes. I let the system run for an hour, drew a sample, and still measured the ppm at 21. I then tested a gallon of water I filtered yesterday at the 8 gal/hour rate, and it was 22.

If that is the case, I'll just run it wide open to reduce fill times, and be happy with the 22ppm. I don't think that damages the membrane, just reduces efficiency. (but not in my case) If that is not correct, please advise.

SJ

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe1952

I'm not sure where the fine print is you referenced. I see that the output is 50gal/day at 20 psi. I don't see anything about 50 or 60 psi. I also don't see a max. membrane output which is what I was asking.

Also, my unit is outputting MORE RO water than waste water at about the 2:1 ratio. I.E. 2 RO to 1 waste.

Regardless, I just got done slowing the RO output to 1 gal in 27 minutes. I let the system run for an hour, drew a sample, and still measured the ppm at 21. I then tested a gallon of water I filtered yesterday at the 8 gal/hour rate, and it was 22.

If that is the case, I'll just run it wide open to reduce fill times, and be happy with the 22ppm. I don't think that damages the membrane, just reduces efficiency. (but not in my case) If that is not correct, please advise.

SJ

Ok the 20 psi is a bit odd. Most places rate them at 50 - 60 psi. No it poses no risk to the membrane. Basically the membrane will hold just so much crap. You will get more water than if you were producing 0 tds water.

[smokinjoe1952]

Summarily:

1. Tap Water 175 ppm
2. RO water 23 ppm
3. RO water out at 8 minutes/gal rate
4, Rejection rate is: 87.42%
5. 2 parts pure water to 1 part waste water.
6. Reducing RO flow rate to the 50 gal/24 hour rate only reduces ppm to 21.
7. Tap water pressure unknown.
8. No damage to membrane at high rate (8min/gal)

On to the next crisis!

SJ