hodorskib's Small Scale RO Build

[carls47807]

The RO Bucket has used two different membranes over the last two years. We were using the membrane solutions ones but have since sourced a higher quality, tighter wound 400gpd membrane (if you look at the ends of the two there is a clear difference). The newer ones we have sourced have a pH rating from 2-12 (most TFW membranes will). In addition to their pH parameters, they recommend flushing with 1% NaOH solution/.25% sodium dodecyl sulfate (which is what we make up in our preservative vials). You would then neutralize that solution if necessary to get the desired pH range (I have made a lot of solutions with a lot of different water sources and have never gotten over a pH of 12).

Msbouchard - do you have the "Jozzon" membranes or the older ones?

[hodorskib]

jdickson - you can use ph strips or pick up a ph meter I found one on Amazon.com for under 15 dollars:
https://www.amazon.com/Drinking-Aqua...ph+meter&psc=1
works well and as for the type of soap you use as already said it is about the ph level. I chose CDL because it was organic, reasonable priced and I was able to get it locally. It is basically food grade lye. Make sure you use warm permeate or chlorine free water (a tip from a friend who services aquariums - if you use chlorinated water, like I do, fill up a barrel and let it sit for a few days the chlorine will dissipate). Then add a teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired level. Also, take a measurement of the ph of the permeate or water you will be using it will be helpful when rinsing/ flushing your membranes after a soap wash. When the ph levels return to normal you know that all the soap has been removed - for me it takes about 30-40 minutes but do an hour flush to be safe.

[Msboucha]

Msbouchard - do you have the "Jozzon" membranes or the older ones?

Hi Carl, they are the Jozzon membranes. I did add a 4th membrane for 2019 which is membrane solutions, but didn't pick up on the winding being different since the others are still in their storage vessel.

[Andrew Franklin]

In the interest of not posting repetitive questions I just re-scanned this entire thread, and I don't think I've seen a question like this addressed. I built a copy of your initial system a couple of years ago, with an aquatec 8855 pump, 4 150 membranes, and then bought 4 250 membranes last year when I saw them for a good price, but didn't use them as the season was about over. I just priced out a new aquatec 8855 pump, pressure gauge, and all the rest to create 2 systems and it comes to about $215. I see I can buy a procon 15 - 125 gph pump with motor with up to 175 psi for $180. Question...should I skip the 2 system setup and go with the procon? Will it give adequate flow and pressure for 8 membranes at the above capacity? I have to admit there was one flow rate/recovery chart that went beyond my paygrade, so if that explained it I apologize. Just wondering what the procon can run with 4 150 and 4 gpd membranes - all of them, or do I need to scale back (or can I scale up??) Thanks... you and all the contributors here have saved so many people so many hours by sharing what you've done with us.

[hodorskib]

I know someone who is using a procon pump with 4 - 400gpd membranes and it can easily handle more - depends on what model procon pump and what sized motor. However, if you are going to that size pump you might want to just go with a 4 x 40" membrane and be done playing with these small residential membranes and would be more sized to the number of taps you have. Comes down to $ and the fact you already have 8 membranes.

[Andrew Franklin]

Thanks much...that answered my question about capacity of the procon. I'll do some pricing comparison. Thanks again!

[metalhead62]

andrew i am with hobs the procon pump will handle what you have and more if you can return the filters then maybe move to the 4x40 (filter and vessel about 400$) if not run all the filters you have and when you need to replace them go to the 4x40 you will probably need some flow gauges and a few misc items you may or may not have with the smaller setup

[Andrew Franklin]

andrew i am with hobs the procon pump will handle what you have and more if you can return the filters then maybe move to the 4x40 (filter and vessel about 400$) if not run all the filters you have and when you need to replace them go to the 4x40 you will probably need some flow gauges and a few misc items you may or may not have with the smaller setup

Metalhead, you are both right, but I did a pre rinse through the new membranes thinking I would need them so I can't return. And to complicate things, I JUST got an out of the blue purchase offer on my 12 acres of maples on the lake (although they love the syrup and say I can keep tapping...but who knows).


That has me thinking to max out what I have until I know how things go with the buyers before upgrading.

So another question to you patient folks...

What is the capacity of my current 8855 aquatec pump, if I use a well head pump in front of it using any mix of my 4 150 gpd and 4 250 gpd membranes? That would just leave me needing to buy some new cartridges and I'd be set.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[hodorskib]

Andrew: The Aquatech pump is 1200 gallons per day (however, that is with no back pressure just free flowing). I have successfully run 3 x 400 gpd membranes with my pump and 6 x 150 gpd beyond that I have found there is no difference and the last membranes do nothing. Hope this helps.

[Andrew Franklin]

Andrew: The Aquatech pump is 1200 gallons per day (however, that is with no back pressure just free flowing). I have successfully run 3 x 400 gpd membranes with my pump and 6 x 150 gpd beyond that I have found there is no difference and the last membranes do nothing. Hope this helps.

Exactly what I was looking for...thanks again!