Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tanks and Equipment => Topic started by: Evolution Stu on June 16, 2016, 04:27:28 PM
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Hi folks,
Ive just hooked up a booster pump to fix my lowly 35psi mains pressure into my new TMC V2 Pure RO system, but its gone up to 110psi.
Annoyingly, TMC dont state a "Maximum" perssure, only that it needs at least 50psi.
What are you guys running your RO ssytems at?
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That seems like quite a dramatic increase.
I'm afraid I can't help with RO questions as I don't run one. I've just gone with keeping fish that are comfortable in the relatively hard water in this area.
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That seems like quite a dramatic increase.
I'm afraid I can't help with RO questions as I don't run one. I've just gone with keeping fish that are comfortable in the relatively hard water in this area.
Plainly you are someone with a lot more sense than me.
My problem was I saw the fish, loved them and bought them. THEN I tested the water.
Idiot... What a lot of messing around! LOL
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I saw fish at the LFS, loved them, came home, looked them up on the fish profiles here, then looked disappointed for a while as I realised I couldn't keep the fish I like the look of.
Then I just started searching for fish that could survive in hard water and it escalated from there. :)
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I dont have a single doubt in my mind that I will still end up with some unsuitable fish, even after trying to do it all properly. lol
I saw fish at the LFS, loved them, came home, looked them up on the fish profiles here, then looked disappointed for a while as I realised I couldn't keep the fish I like the look of.
Then I just started searching for fish that could survive in hard water and it escalated from there. :)
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I buy RO at £3 for £25L :P
I know it's not very cost-effective but it saves the issues around installing an RO unit at home.
What does one do with all that waste water?!? :yikes:
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I buy RO at £3 for £25L :P
I know it's not very cost-effective but it saves the issues around installing an RO unit at home.
Use rainwater, Simon. I did for a couple of years and had no problems. I even ended up with wiggly lavae things in the w/c water which the fish loved. Free water and free food :))
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I buy RO at £3 for £25L :P
I know it's not very cost-effective but it saves the issues around installing an RO unit at home.
What does one do with all that waste water?!? :yikes:
I considered it hard mate, but as I plan to change a third around 100 litres every week that was potentially £12 a week / £624 a year. This system with pump and water butt was under £200 so long term I am quids in, water costs aside.
I will have to work out the water costs too of course, I've no idea what it costs per litre on the meter.
The other bonus of course, is I always have as much of it as I want at any time of day or night, and of course I know it's not been sat in some LFS's shed for 6 months. (That said - does it matter? I don't know. )
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For reference, this is the reply from TMC:
Good afternoon Mr Sanderson
Thank you for your email. The maximum PSI for the V2 pure 75 RO system is 100 psi and would not recommend going above this, as it will put too much pressure on the RO membrane. We would advise you to reduce the pressure on the unit to avoid this happening.
Kind Regards
May Brewster
Tropical Marine Centre
Solesbridge Lane
Chorleywood
Herts
WD3 5SX
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Does it essentially boil down to you maintaining a pressure that will economically give you the amount of RO water you require? Does an increase in pressure = faster RO water production?
From an engineering perspective, aim for 2/3 of operating capacity... Hydraulic systems (on aircraft anyway) are inherently tested to between 25% and 100% higher pressures than they are operated at on aircraft.
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Does it essentially boil down to you maintaining a pressure that will economically give you the amount of RO water you require? Does an increase in pressure = faster RO water production?
From an engineering perspective, aim for 2/3 of operating capacity... Hydraulic systems (on aircraft anyway) are inherently tested to between 25% and 100% higher pressures than they are operated at on aircraft.
More or less, yes.
The RO system works on differential pressure and forcing water from high to low via a permeable membrane.
The problem at low pressure is wastage, not enough goes through the membrane so you lose a lot, and of course production is slower.
At 30psi it too just over 3hrs to make 25litres. Now at 110psi it takes 1hr 20mins with a lower percentage of waste.
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In the name of completing the topic with data, TMC have replied and advised me that their RO membrane is rated to a max pressure of 100psi and suggest the membrane may be damaged with pressures in excess of that.
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You'll be wanting something like this, then... Honeywell pressure reducing valve (http://www.screwfix.com/p/honeywell-15mm-x-pressure-reducing-valve-with-gauge/7978j)
(http://s7g3.scene7.com/is/image//ae235?src=ae235/7978J_P&$prodImageMedium$)
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Yeah.
Ive asked the supplier to either change the pump or supply a pressure reducer. Will see what they say.