Challenges in removing chloramine in RODI setup

[Alexander1312]

I wanted to tag on this topic here: https://www.bareefers.org/forum/thr...nsiderations-and-which-ones-not-to-buy.38013/

But then I thought it might deserve its own thread.

I am currently working on solving the following issue:

I am testing positive for chlorine/chloramine after the RO output, while having a 3 stage pre-filter setup with sediment, catalytic carbon and 1 micron carbon. Approximately 1ppm, potentially 0.5 ppm to 1ppm.

This remained at the same level after replacing all prefilters. When testing the water immediatetly after the pre-filters, before the RO, the results were pretty much the same. When testing the water after the DI stages, there was no more positive test results. I am using a new Salifert Chlorine/Chlormaine tester.

Source water is 29 TDS, post RO is 5 TDS, post DI is 0 TDS.

Despite the 0 TDS results, I believe exposing the membranes to chloramine is not a good idea.

According to EBMUD, the average chloramine levels are 2.6 ppm, PH at a 9.3 level.

AI believes that a high PH can make chloramine removal specifically challenging, quoting some credible papers.

It looks I would need to add another stage (or more) of catalytic carbon.

I currently have the following RODI system with the Catalytic Carbon upgrade: https://airwaterice.com/collections...ts/neptune-8-stage-rodi-with-2-membranes-3-di

 

[Alexander1312]

@ReyDeFarts - special shout-out to Andy for being so patient with all of my questions in the past few days.

We agreed that I would reach out to Chris aka the H2O guru to get his thoughts on how this issue can be resolved.

if anyone has a recommendation for another chloramine test, please let me know, but I doubt there is an issue with the Salifert test since it detects both chrloramine and no chloramine.

 

[Slingfox]

Have your considered using a chloramine monster in your setup?

BRS Reverse Osmosis Chloramines Monster

The Chloramines Monster is designed to be installed on your RO system and treat the chloramines in environments where large volumes of water need to be produced. The added size and capacity of the 20 inch canister and carbon block allow for greater flow rates without reducing chlorine removal...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Alexander1312]

Have your considered using a chloramine monster in your setup?

BRS Reverse Osmosis Chloramines Monster

The Chloramines Monster is designed to be installed on your RO system and treat the chloramines in environments where large volumes of water need to be produced. The added size and capacity of the 20 inch canister and carbon block allow for greater flow rates without reducing chlorine removal...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Certainly a monster price, but removing chloramine properly seems to bigger issue, so that folks are willing to pay that much money for it. I might end up buying such a thing if needed. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Patio]

Have your considered using a chloramine monster in your setup?

I also use this. About time to buy a replacement cartridge. Do you know where to find them?

 

[iani]

Just curious, what is the concern if after the DI the Chloramines are gone? Is it that it reduces the filter life of the RO membrane?

 

[psidriven]

Yes, according to this, chloramines is shortens both carbon and membrane life. Guess I’ll add chlorine testing to rodi maintenance.

Can Chloramines get past a good RO/DI

There is a lot of contradictory information out there about Chloramines and RO/DI. If I have a good working RO/DI with catalytic carbon, can Chlorine/Chloramine get past the RO stage. As a follow up. If the carbon gets exhausted will the Chloramines show up on a TDS meter and will it get...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[iani]

Yes, according to this, chloramines is shortens both carbon and membrane life. Guess I’ll add chlorine testing to rodi maintenance.

Can Chloramines get past a good RO/DI

There is a lot of contradictory information out there about Chloramines and RO/DI. If I have a good working RO/DI with catalytic carbon, can Chlorine/Chloramine get past the RO stage. As a follow up. If the carbon gets exhausted will the Chloramines show up on a TDS meter and will it get...

www.reef2reef.com

I understand that but in real world experience how long is everyone's membrane lasting? I know I just changed mine after 3.5 years for the first time. Granted I have very soft water.

 

[psidriven]

That’s the million dollar question. Don’t think anybody has tracked the real world impact. Don’t know anybody that tests for chlorine post membrane. I nominate @Alexander1312!

 

[fishy408]

I understand that but in real world experience how long is everyone's membrane lasting? I know I just changed mine after 3.5 years for the first time. Granted I have very soft water.

I changed mine after 2 years. I noticed during this change that the membrane still looks super clean. I sent a picture to BRS at the time, and they suggested that it was still good based on my usage. Once I peeled the layers of membrane for BRS support, you can no longer use it. I was just curious on " real world experience" and when I should really change it based on my usage.

 

[Patio]

350-425ish tds from the house so I tend to replace membrane every 12 to 18 months. Zone 7 Water Agency uses chloromine.

Most of my reefing budget goes towards making fresh and salt water these days. Envious of other members low tds source water.

 

[PjFish]

I flush new cartridges for 45 min and then run few gallons through then wait a day another 5 min flush then run another couple gallons before I test and use since new RO membranes take a bit to soak up.
Thanks will now test ! I use the typhoon extreme lll which has been working flawlessly
Let us know what Chris recommends.
They do make a 10 inch cartridge fyi

Amazon.com

 

[PjFish]

Towards end of summer it’s common that some water agencies increase the chloramine levels to combat algae issues which may not reflect in their average data
Every few years depending on water levels around this time of year my tap water has a slight pond smell and taste lol since its primarily from reservoirs.

 

[BAYMAC]

Towards end of summer it’s common that some water agencies increase the chloramine levels to combat algae issues which may not reflect in their average data
Every few years depending on water levels around this time of year my tap water has a slight pond smell and taste lol since its primarily from reservoirs.

EBMUD is notorious for this as well, or at least they were 10 years ago.

 

[PjFish]

I didn’t see any steak house vouchers @Alexander1312 ?

 

[derek_SR]

Have your considered using a chloramine monster in your setup?

BRS Reverse Osmosis Chloramines Monster

The Chloramines Monster is designed to be installed on your RO system and treat the chloramines in environments where large volumes of water need to be produced. The added size and capacity of the 20 inch canister and carbon block allow for greater flow rates without reducing chlorine removal...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I am also using this - not really sure when to replace it, though. How are you testing for chloramines @Alexander1312 when I was on this road before, I could not really find a reliable test for chloramines - so I got the monster carbon filter and slapped it in my system upstream of the membranes and called it a day. I suspect it's working (just based on the fact that i change a lot of water and my corals mostly do well).

 

[PjFish]

Been alot of threads lately on rodi..In the past @Coral reefer has put on some great hands on class tutorials on building units/ troubleshooting and upgrading to save water waste ratios etc!

 

[Alexander1312]

I also use this. About time to buy a replacement cartridge. Do you know where to find them?

Pentek 155967-43 CRFC20-BB Radial Flow Cartridge 20 mic Filter Everpure Compatible CC1E

The Pentek CRFC20-BB bed of granular activated carbon (GAC) between the outer shell and the core is specifically designed to significantly reduce chloramine taste and odor. The unique radial flow design of the Pentek CRFC-20BB filter offers the benefits of granular activated carbon (GAC)...

www.freshwatersystems.com

Not sure if this is the exact same model, please double check. Still, quite expensive.

 

[Alexander1312]

I understand that but in real world experience how long is everyone's membrane lasting? I know I just changed mine after 3.5 years for the first time. Granted I have very soft water.

According to airwaterice.com aka Chris, my membranes (2) are already done, after 6 months, and post completing an RO evaluation tests which indicated that the rejection rate is only at 82%.

 

[Alexander1312]

I flush new cartridges for 45 min and then run few gallons through then wait a day another 5 min flush then run another couple gallons before I test and use since new RO membranes take a bit to soak up.
Thanks will now test ! I use the typhoon extreme lll which has been working flawlessly
Let us know what Chris recommends.
They do make a 10 inch cartridge fyi

Amazon.com

That was my question - good to know - not sure if as effective though, but I did not like the 20 inch size.