[paul mather]

Wondered what your experience has been regarding the life span of a membrane for a 10 Inch RO System. Bought an RO MAN system from Gardiners when I first went WFP & they lasted at least 5 maybe 6 years. Replaced them about 2 1/2 years ago & they are showing all the classic symptoms of failing, ie reduced water production, resin needing replaced more often.

Was I just lucky first time or have these 2nd batch (bought direct from RO MAN) been poor? What do you reckon?

[Smudger]

How much water do you use now, compared with 3 or 4 years ago ? I'd imagine it would be more ( continually growing biz and all that ) so the membranes would have processed the same amount in litres but over a shorter time.

2 years plus for membranes isn't the best but certainly reasonable all depends on volume of water your processing

Darran

[chris turner]

You also have to remember that membranes will produce considerably less water this time of year.
My 4021 system has slowed down dramatically, 2-3 hours to fill my tank has now turned into 5 hours. Membrane is only 1 year old.
Alot of people chuck away perfectly good membranes this time of year thinking there knackered when it's just the cold water effect. Iv been guilty of it myself in the past.
I would wait a couple more months and see if production increases as the weather warms up, if not then maybe it's time to replace.

[SeanK]

Chris I don't think its production times he talking about, its rising TDS.
Like most products you can get a good one or a bad one, my membrane is going over 6 years and still takes the TDS
down from 240pppm to 20ppm which considering I very rarely change the pre filters is good going I just wonder
what my next one will last like.

[Arnold Palmer]

Like Smudger says it's not about time its about production.

This one has lasted 2 1/2 years, the last one 5 or 6. Are you using the same amount of water now as you were 8 years ago? I know I'm not.

[chez]

Agree with the above comments. In addition I keep testing the water quality as I am flushing the membrane to clean it out. Usually it starts out at 200 + but then within 5 or 10 mins it's down to a reasonable level. I disconnect the RO before it drops into the resin to make sure the ro is doing its job. It is now bringing it down to about 4 or 5 from tap tds which is about 180.
I also find that the tap tds is much lower at this time of year. In the summer it seems to be higher at 250+ but now 180, which is good coz even tho water production is a bit slower, it's easier on the resin at this time of year..... If this all makes sense 

[Tom White]

I read something about RO contamination - so after going through a few RO membranes during a relatively short period (some not even lasting a year) - I sterilised my RO/DI and filter housings with bleach and my current RO membranes are going great guns.

I change my pre-filters once-every-three months, or when I remember; whichever is the later, which is usually the latter to be honest. 

[paul mather]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I must admit I am using a lot more water as my son now works with me 2-3 days a week. I also have some issues with my DI  cannister which at times loses resin, so that could explain the rising TDS reading.

I think I will try to manage for a little bit & see if it improves when the weather warms up.

[Arnold Palmer]

I also have some issues with my DI  cannister which at times loses resin, so that could explain the rising TDS reading.

I've had that issue before. The riser tube was oval at the top and the strainer wasn't seating properly in the lid.