Re: [APD] Re: ro/di unit

[Wright Huntley <whuntley at verizon_net>]

Rik Vandiver <mrriketts at ispwest_com> wrote:

> you can get a tds meter to show you the total dissolved solids in the water
>
> aquatic-plants-request at actwin_com wrote:
>
>
> > > What tests can I
> > > perform to make sure the ro unit is working correctly, chlorine, phosphates,
> > > ammonia, etc?

The tds meter is the prime way to monitor general performance, but the 
RO unit has essentially no ability to block small molecules, like 
ammonium and chlorine. For that, they often use a carbon filter that can 
fail in two ways. The flow can be too fast (contact time too short) or 
the carbon saturates and allows "punch through." Don't throw your 
ammonium and chlorine test kits away, as they should be used, once in a 
great while, to monitor for the above phenomena.

[A RO unit without a carbon filter is worthless for fish/plant tanks, 
IMHO. I have seen them for sale, so beware.]

The tds meter will help you avoid osmotic shock and warn if the membrane 
has failed (unlikely, if installed right). The other tests will warn you 
to change your carbon filter before the tds changes enough to be 
significant, I think (likely to be a regular mainenance procedure).

Wright

--
Wright Huntley - Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514 - whuntley at verizon_net
                    760 872-3995

        Eschew obfuscation and bloviation!


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