hodorskib's Small Scale RO Build

[eustis22]

So this happened...ran my Hod-Ro this season a few times, used the permeate to do my rinsing, leaving only a little trace in the tank, couple of cups....looked in the tank a little while ago, there's some mold in there. Does that mean my permeate wasn't as pure as I assumed? How would I measure that going forward?

[hodorskib]

Sorry I haven't checked the site in a while. That happens to me as well so I try and clean my permeate tank as often as i can. I test it with my refractometer and although it reads 0 there is still trace elements of sugar and other minerals that can promote growth of bacteria and mold. Just as if you left water from your tap in an open container in a warm room eventually things would begin to grow.

[vtbackyardmaple]

Looks like I will flip the pump as you're correct about my setup. Thanks a ton!!!! Gives me an opportunity to do put the 3rd one in.

[eustis22]

I re-flushed it out with my calcium hypochlorite and flushed it all out and let it air dry before putting the cap on. I've had tarps over the tanks all year long but will verify the lack of green soon (hoepfully). Now for an RO question.

If I want to increase my throughput would I increase the size of my membranes or the pump I am using (150 gpd membranes and aquatec 8800)? If the pump, can someone recommend the higher pump?

[jdircksen]

I re-flushed it out with my calcium hypochlorite and flushed it all out and let it air dry before putting the cap on. I've had tarps over the tanks all year long but will verify the lack of green soon (hoepfully). Now for an RO question.

If I want to increase my throughput would I increase the size of my membranes or the pump I am using (150 gpd membranes and aquatec 8800)? If the pump, can someone recommend the higher pump?

I was able to increase the throughput by switching from 3x 150gpd membranes to 2x 400gpd membranes. I am using the 400gpd pump from https://www.therobucket.com/product/...d-transformer/
He told me that pump is capable of pushing sap through up to 4 of the 400gpd membranes, and if you need more pressure then put a smaller 30psi pump in front of your prefilter.

[wobbletop]

I re-flushed it out with my calcium hypochlorite and flushed it all out and let it air dry before putting the cap on. I've had tarps over the tanks all year long but will verify the lack of green soon (hoepfully). Now for an RO question.

If I want to increase my throughput would I increase the size of my membranes or the pump I am using (150 gpd membranes and aquatec 8800)? If the pump, can someone recommend the higher pump?

FYI you don't want to store your membranes dry. They should have a preservative that you rinse out before use.

[eustis22]

This is the 3rd year on these membranes and I've stored them in pvc tubes full of preservative all summer long but I think I will upgrade the membranes and pump as it takes me about 8-9 hours to process 50-60 gallons of sap at 100 psi. Thank you for the pump recommendation.