MicRo RO by Leader

[Mille705]

Yeah anyone running a MicRO RO from Leader? We bought one last year because the other option was a bigger pan and this was cheaper. Really like it and can not believe the water it removes from sap that doesn't have to be boiled. Just wondered what you are getting for gallons per hour. Thanks for the feed back.

[devils11217]

Don’t own one yet. I have been looking at purchasing that unit. Do you have the micro 1 or 2?

[Mille705]

I have the 1. It is a nice fit right now for us. Was told if we wanted to expand that we could just plumb the other membrane in and go.

[BAP]

How much are they?

[Ekrueger]

I am also very interested in the micro 1. What are the actual run rates you see? Will it keep up with 38 gallons per hour? Is it a lot of extra work for the time saved in boiling?

[Mille705]

We bought it a year ago and it was around 3000. Today we were running 2 gpm of concentrate at 4.5%. We made 8 gallons of syrup on a 2x6 pan in about 5 hours today. We did have a sweet pan when we started. I find it amazing how much water we are taking out. Much cheaper than a pan upgrade.

[mcraejc]

I'm also looking into buying a MicRO this year. I'm not sure about 1 post or 2? It's only about $500 more for the 2 post and it obviously can do quite a bit more. But do you find the 1 post model to be sufficient for your # of taps?
Thanks

[Mille705]

I am glad that we went with the single post, it is big enough for us right now. We made just over 60 gallons this year and one once did we have a run back get than I could process in a day. Was told that we could add the second post at anytime if needed because everything else is the same. Hope this helps.

[mcraejc]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m hoping to have one for next year. If you have any tips or advice about it I’m all ears.

[steve J]

I am kicking tires on R/o how does leaders compare to what homestead maple is selling under the brand name next generation maple products. They have single membrane processing 90 gph for $1495.

[Sugarbush Ridge]

Be careful and don't get to big,, yes I said to big.... You will need at least the gallons permeate as what you membranes run per hour for washing each day and then extra for when soap and acid washer are needed. I've got a 125 Deer Run and last year the sap run was so low I didn't have enough permeate to do end of years wash,,,,acid wash and then another soap wash. True a few days you'll run for extra long.

[mcraejc]

I too am a little worried about getting too big of an RO. I was talking to Leader the other day and they were very helpful.
They said that at 48 F sap the MicRO2 will do:

2%-6% 2.8 GPM or 168 GPH
2%-8% 2.2 GPM or 132 GPH
2%-4% 4.25 GPM or 255 GPH

And I believe the 1 post version will do roughly half of these numbers.

He also mentioned that for the MicRO2 you would need at least a 200 gallon permeate tank and a 5-8 gallon wash tank.

I'm thinking the MicRO2 would be a little big for me with roughly 225-250 taps.

[SandMan]

For those that purchased and ran one of the Leader Micro Hobby RO's, how did it go this year? Any issues mechanically? Anything you don't like about the Micro RO?

Thanks!

[Potters3]

I have gone from a D+G 600gph to a Lapierre 1200. But thought I would throw in my 2 cents. Be careful make sure to compare apple to apple. Ask about total thru put and more important what it will concentrate, ie. like below 2% to 8% @ ? gpm that is the important number in my mind. You need to to concentrate fast enough to keep up with or go ahead or your rig when you are at full boil. Keep in mind 1% or 1.5% sap will lower those concentrate numbers. Also keep in mind exspandablility (spelled wrong sorry)we are all nuts and have to find more taps, make sure you can add onto the machine if you have any ideas of growing. My D+G machine could not be added onto, we went from 1000 taps to 2600 taps with more to come so we had to cough up and buy a new machine. This machine can be added onto in the future, I bought it with the elec and plumbing in place to add a third tower when or if it is needed. Last note look at where you can get parts these things break and at bad times, make sure you can get parts close by and quickly.

[mcraejc]

That is good timing with the advice. I just received an email from Leader in response to some of my never ending questions about this RO. One of the questions was if I just bought the 1 post MicRO can you add the 2nd post to it later and for how much. The answer was yes and it would be $725 USD.

I second Sandman's question, if anyone has any info about your MicRO unit we would love to hear about it.

I seem to have lots of time to think about maple instead of making it as it has been crazy cold and snowy up here in Northern Ontario, Canada

Thanks