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melev

An opportunity arose for a cool upgrade

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by
melev
, 10-14-2011 at 05:50 PM (2946 Views)
Last weekend I flew up to Boston to speak to the Boston Reefers Society. Prior to my departure, I contacted the club president to confirm my topic and he reminded me it was about RO/DI systems. Due to my error, no RO system was shipped to Boston a week prior. Instead, I took my very own off the wall, changed out all the filters and ASOV and boxed it up for my flight, checking it as luggage. I figured TSA might have a problem with its multiple cylinders, solid media, resin, magnetic motor with power supply as well as the dual TDS meter with probes (that looked like a timer no doubt). I boxed it up very carefully and marked the box thoroughly to assuage any fears they may have had, but when it came off the conveyor belt, it had definitely been inspected.





This new member of the BRS won a very nice 150gpd Boosted RO/DI system worth $340.



Within a few days, I had my replacement installed. The previous one was the original prototype, but this is the current model I sell to my customers. Having the same on my wall is the best way I can answer any questions that arise.



















The booster pump runs silently and has an internal regulator to avoid pressure rising higher than 80 PSI.







When making RO/DI water, the TDS measures 0 of course.



For drinking water, a little TDS is not only acceptable but makes the water taste better.



I moved the entire system to the area behind the washing machine instead of where it always has been above the dryer. Even though nothing ever happened since 2003, I always had a nagging concern that any water dripping on the 220v dryer outlet was risky. This avoids such danger.

For those of you thinking about getting one, here's the link (I need to update those pictures now): http://www.melevsreef.com/shop/boosted_rodi.html

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Comments

  1. delta's Avatar
    For anyone who didn't know what it was, it definitely could have been taken for a BOMB. You are going to get thrown off a plane by TSA sooner or later

    The dual TDS meter must have had TSA freaking out you should be able to download video of your stuff being searched.
  2. melev's Avatar
    ROFL! Love that idea of seeing a video of them carefully opening the box with a robot and sending in dogs to sniff for any hints of danger, only to see them lapping up delicious water instead.
  3. Johnny C's Avatar
    That's awesome... makes me think that some of those TSA inspectors have a story or two to tell! Diggin' the new setup.
  4. NightShade's Avatar
    Next time put in a paper that has a description of what it is and what it does along with some business cards so they can each take one. Be a good way to help them not freak out and get them interested in what we do.
  5. melev's Avatar
    Yeah, packing slips would make sense.
  6. maroun.c's Avatar
    How much do you estimate the weight of the unit without any filters or media in?
    Also any idea how much TDS range is the acceptable or recommended range for drinking water?
    and last question is about operating pressure any recommendation on what pressure range to allow to go into your RO unit?
  7. baker.shawn's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by maroun.c
    How much do you estimate the weight of the unit without any filters or media in?
    Also any idea how much TDS range is the acceptable or recommended range for drinking water?
    and last question is about operating pressure any recommendation on what pressure range to allow to go into your RO unit?
    i cant answer for the first question but...out of the tap here i get 220 at this time of the year and the taste of CL is nasty,ive tryed drinking RODI 0TDS before and it is not good at all, so me and my family now fill our water cooler jug with RO water that is usually 2-6 depending on how old my prefilters are, it tastes really good and we dont need to spend 5bucks every 3 or 4 days for a new one.

    every RO membrane has its own optimal pressure for most home/aquarium application filters it is about 60 psi i believe
  8. TH3C1SC0K1D's Avatar
    Looks great. I love unboxing new equipment!
  9. Sisterlimonpot's Avatar
    Marc,

    Is that a forced smile of you holding the box up with the winner, and I swear when I zoom in there is a tear in your eye.
  10. TH3C1SC0K1D's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot
    Marc,

    Is that a forced smile of you holding the box up with the winner, and I swear when I zoom in there is a tear in your eye.
  11. DJ in WV's Avatar
    When did they change these Marc
  12. melev's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by maroun.c
    How much do you estimate the weight of the unit without any filters or media in?
    Also any idea how much TDS range is the acceptable or recommended range for drinking water?
    and last question is about operating pressure any recommendation on what pressure range to allow to go into your RO unit?
    I don't know what the weight is off hand, but I can find out.

    Tap water is drinkable, and RO water is a cleaner version of tap water. Out of the faucet it is around 172 here, so drinking 10 TDS isn't bad at all. The lower the TDS, the less tasty it tends to be. Have you ever measured the TDS of some bottled drinking water? Test it out. I've seen it measure between 14 and 20 with a couple of brands.

    The PSI the membrane needs at the minimum is 40. 60-80 is better. 100 is the max, and 110 is too much. The important point that I need to state clearly is that you should run the booster pump prior to the membrane, not prior to the entire unit. Over-pressured acrylic housings can shatter, so don't risk that.
  13. melev's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot
    Marc,

    Is that a forced smile of you holding the box up with the winner, and I swear when I zoom in there is a tear in your eye.
    No, I was happy for him. He was going to buy a new system that week, but winning it was even better for him. If a person doesn't own one and wins it, that's always what I'm hoping will happen.
  14. melev's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by DJ in WV
    When did they change these Marc
    It has been gradual but I'd say over the past couple of months it's morphed to what you see now.
  15. maroun.c's Avatar
    Thanks for the info Marc.
    I've seen a few bottled wate have a TDs of 30-40 and some have it around 100. Talked to the RO company here and they explained it saying that people complain of the water taste when TDS is below 40-60 so they mostly sell RO water at around 100 for drinking purposes. Wasnt clear to me if drinking water at 10-20 was OK as I know for sure that drinking RODI water is not recommended.
  16. Sisterlimonpot's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by melev
    No, I was happy for him. He was going to buy a new system that week, but winning it was even better for him. If a person doesn't own one and wins it, that's always what I'm hoping will happen.
    It was because of the sentamental value you had for your own system, it's been with you through the good times and bad, I can tell in the picture you hated to let it go... see how you're white knuckling the box?
  17. melev's Avatar
    Maroun - people complain about the taste of DI water, which is ion-free. We seem to like our ions. Some RO systems come with a "taste" filter to add flavor back into the pure water. That filter is actually carbon, usually GAC. DI water won't hurt you.

    Sister - quit zooming in on my pictures.