New RO system questions.

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Distortionist

Well-Known Member
I've never used one of these before. It's a 6 stage I just installed. I had to flush it before the DI membrane and that works. The instruction video says close the valve on the pressure tank and run the tap for 20 minutes. All I get is a tiny trickle. Is that normal? This supposed to be 75 gallon per day so I expect flow is low. The math says about 200ml a minute so that is pretty slow but I timed mine to produce more like 85ml a minute.

I am on a well and I suspect part of my issue is low pressure, I just wanted to see if this is somewhat normal and they don't produce much flow that's why the tank is there. Right?
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Distortionist said:
I've never used one of these before. It's a 6 stage I just installed. I had to flush it before the DI membrane and that works. The instruction video says close the valve on the pressure tank and run the tap for 20 minutes. All I get is a tiny trickle. Is that normal? This supposed to be 75 gallon per day so I expect flow is low. The math says about 200ml a minute so that is pretty slow but I timed mine to produce more like 85ml a minute.

I am on a well and I suspect part of my issue is low pressure, I just wanted to see if this is somewhat normal and they don't produce much flow that's why the tank is there. Right?
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Yeah it doesn't make a lot at once. Usually just a few drops come out.
 
D

Distortionist

Well-Known Member
Airwalker16 said:
Yeah it doesn't make a lot at once. Usually just a few drops come out.
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Thanks man. I was getting worried! I can't wait to see the results. I'm hoping more stable ph and lower ppm so it can eat more.

Still waiting for the chiller and ac. I question my sanity for the one plant I grow or future 2 plants. I really think old age is effecting my judgment.
 
D

Distortionist

Well-Known Member
I wish... no it is under the sink. I'll fill up 2 1 gallon jugs, and try to get more to keep 8 gallons which is my complete DWC and res capacity.
Maybe I'll just fill up my nutrients mixing bucket as well. I want to try doing 50% water changes Weekley. I seem to keep sending it into shock. I mix my nutes too strong or water is too cold, I am not sure. Last time there were signs of nutrient burn. I'm terrified I have an expired bottle of food.
I can't feel it with my hands much but I see it with my eyes where the water is thicker. I'm doing something wrong mixing or my plant just can't handle full strength... or my golden tree is expired. RO and buckets of water will take care of temperature shock. I'll feed for 6 gallon instead of 8. Maybe it was my water too. So I'll hit all those 3 and look for signs of nutrient deficiency or burn.
I really suspect its adding golden tree to the complete line of nutrients I use. I even underdose and only feed 1mm but I really suspect something is up with it now.
I can't wait for the chiller and AC. I put up some UV and skipped flower while I figure out what I'm screwing up.
 

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Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
You are going to need to buy something to hold it. You won't be able to make enough in a day. Just get a drum or tote and put a cheap float valve on it at the top, back aide on a tote and tilt it forward, so once THAT is full your small holding tank under sink starts to fill. Also add a spigot to the bottom so you can easily fill jugs.
 
fragileassassin

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
Initial water ppm, temp, and pressure all play important rolls in how well your RO system flows.
When I initially put my system in I thought it sucked. Was getting nowhere near the 150GPD it was supposed to do.
Cold water at too low of a pressure was my issue.
The cold tap water comes out as low as 45F in the winter. Most RO filter advertised flow rates are at 77F.
If your tap comes out below around 65F, youll need an RO membrane designed for cold water to get better flow.
Desired water pressure for optimal performance in 60psi. Most houses on city water have their water pressure regulators set around 45psi. Mine was 43.
I went from a pretty slow trickle to full advertised flow by getting the cold water membrane and turning my houses water pressure regulator up.

With these changes and my 80ppm starting water, my hydrologic stealth 150 gave me 0ppm RO water at 1.5-2 parts RO to 1 part waste water (which is the opposite of what was advertised so thats a huge win) and would fill my 200 gallon tank in less than 2 days.
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
fragileassassin said:
Initial water ppm, temp, and pressure all play important rolls in how well your RO system flows.
When I initially put my system in I thought it sucked. Was getting nowhere near the 150GPD it was supposed to do.
Cold water at too low of a pressure was my issue.
The cold tap water comes out as low as 45F in the winter. Most RO filter advertised flow rates are at 77F.
If your tap comes out below around 65F, youll need an RO membrane designed for cold water to get better flow.
Desired water pressure for optimal performance in 60psi. Most houses on city water have their water pressure regulators set around 45psi. Mine was 43.
I went from a pretty slow trickle to full advertised flow by getting the cold water membrane and turning my houses water pressure regulator up.

With these changes and my 80ppm starting water, my hydrologic stealth 150 gave me 0ppm RO water at 1.5-2 parts RO to 1 part waste water (which is the opposite of what was advertised so thats a huge win) and would fill my 200 gallon tank in less than 2 days.
Click to expand...
What do you think is different in the cold water membrane?
 
D

Distortionist

Well-Known Member
Airwalker16 said:
You are going to need to buy something to hold it. You won't be able to make enough in a day. Just get a drum or tote and put a cheap float valve on it at the top, back aide on a tote and tilt it forward, so once THAT is full your small holding tank under sink starts to fill. Also add a spigot to the bottom so you can easily fill jugs.
Click to expand...
I have no idea where I would put that lol.
 
D

Distortionist

Well-Known Member
fragileassassin said:
no idea whats different in it. hydrologic just happened to offer one for their system for cold water. it alone was a night and day difference.
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Crazy. I will look into that. I am on a well here so I think I can adjust the pressure in the pressure tank but I would have to call someone to do it. This time of year the water out of my well is probably around 4 C. I'll try and find a cold water membrane too. Since I only have 1 plant can live with how it is really... I need a maximum of 16 gallon a week. I wanted to make sure it's working properly that's all. Good news is I have no leaks under there this morning!
 
D

Distortionist

Well-Known Member
Airwalker16 said:
Well you need to do it man. Otherwise you'll never have what you need
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Yeah it would be very nice and convenient. Since I am only working with 4 gallons of water I made these for now till I figure it all out. I'm never going to have more than 6 gallon system unless I move to a bigger res. Each bucket can hold 4 gallons easy. I also have a bunch 4 1 gallon jugs filled and ready to be used for tops ups. Bottles that go empty I just refill.

I'm going to do my waterfarms and res the same before next grow!
 

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D

Distortionist

Well-Known Member
So at about 1/2 strength of recommend nute dose my plant seems happy and goes into growth spurt again. It drinks lots of water when it does this and my ph drops instead of the usual climb. I just adjusted it for the second time today from 5 to 5.9 and I top up with plain water that isn't adjusted to bring it up a bit before adding ph up.

Should I go 3/4 nute strength?
 
D

Distortionist

Well-Known Member
Airwalker16 said:
Are your PPMs staying the same?
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It's not changing that much as it drops, just the PH. They kinda look wilty again. I feel like I am fighting a losing battle and I need to start over. I was in the middle of writing a new post about it. Don't bother responding here anymore. But I need a push and support for starting over. I feel pretty bad about it.
 
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