RO/DI

Sounds like it is right on the money.  You said that it is a 50 gpd (50 gallons per day - or just slightly over 2 gallon per hour) - so from 10pm to 2:30pm the next day is 16 1/2 hours - which translates to about 33 gallons of RO water made during that period of time.  The waste water is usually about 4 times the good water coming out.

 

I felt the same way Kleen, I thought WOW what a water loss, as you probably know, water is the cheapest "utility" we receive, I don't think you'll really see a change or maybe a slight change but nothing big.

 

Wow ... that stinks that it takes so long to process and also creates so much waste. We just bought an RODI unit from the same place and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Thought it would be as quick and simple as turning on the faucet haha ... I'm blaming the husband on this venture.

-Amber

 

The 4:1 ratio of waste to filtered water is normal. When you're paying such a minimal amount for your water, you don't even notice it. Also, the rate it makes water at is dependent on the membrane that you purchase. They have them that will produce as much as 150 gallons per day using the standard size membrane (if you have the right amount of water pressure to use it). Also, the rating is the optimal conditions rating. They function better when filtering room temperature water, with better water pressure, etc. When those factors start to change (i.e. cold water, lower pressure), then so does the output. Don't be surprised of you only see 70% of the rated output...maybe even less.

If you were paying $.25 a gallon at the fish store, you also have to factor in the gas to get there, your time to haul it...in the long run, having a home RO/DI unit not only ends up being less expensive, but also more convenient. And you also have more control over the quality of the water. If you ask some club members about getting water at their LFS, they will tell you that it's been the source of problems for them. Not naming names, just throwing that consideration out there...

--AJ

 

Preheating the input water will help some to increase efficiency.  I put a large coil of the water line in an insulated cooler full of water with an aquarium heater inside to preheat the water.  I have the Hurricane from AirWaterIce, although I have modified a bit so that it has three full size prefilters like yours and two full size DI canisters, one for the aquarium and one for drinking. The DI is the only way to get the high nitrates out of our water here and I actually like the taste.  The hurricane has a permeate pump which is supposed to cut down on the waste water from 3:1 to 1:1.  It only works with a pressure tank though, so I just let the tank fill up, then empty into the container for my aquarium water, let it refill, etc.  A bit of a pain but saves on wasted water.  You could always buy a large pressure tank.  A booster pump will also help, which I plan on adding.  The water pressure here is only around 45 to 50 psi.  Might as well resign yourself to the fact that everything is an increasing expense in this hobby!  /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif