RO/DI Question

[icereefer]

ok I have a Coralife 3 stage RO/DI unit, and I have been getting traces of ammonia in my water, between 0.25 and 0.5. is this normal? I have tested with my hagen and I used the dry strips from Jungle. and if I test with my Salifert I get a clean water reading.?
my TDS reading is 8 ppm. so I know my TFC membrane and deionization cartridge is working. and I just changed my carbon filter last night so it should be good.
I was wondering should I run another carbon filter before my unit to help a little? I do notice my sediment filter sure gets yellowish orange faster then normal, so I believe my water is full of iron.
Maybe that's why my chaeto grows like crazy..hehehehe.
what's funny is when I mix my salt water and do a water test or test my tanks I have a .0 reading on my Ammonia?

[Condiman]

I believe it is your test kits I would go with the seafert test. Because if you just replaced your carbon there should be no ammonia in the water.

[Doctor_Reef]

Agree with Condiman!!!! It sounds like your test kit... I think your Salifert would be the one I would bank on!!!!

[icereefer]

yeah I under stand this and the carbon filter I replaced was only 3 weeks old but with this one I'm getting the same readings, and with the salifert I should be getting some kind of yellowish color if I have No ammonia right? but my tests are clear water?

[Whiskey]

Some test kits can't accurataly test FRESH water. I have a couple of tests that really go wacky if I try to test water w/o salt. Some test both, check your tests and see if this could be the cause.

Whiskey

I would also go with the Salifert's readings.

Has it always produced 8ppm TDSs?? I replace my DI when the water reads 1ppm... it's normally 0.

[icereefer]

my DI cartridge is only 3 weeks old. I have only had this unit running for abot 3 weeks max? I have some calibration fliud coming to calibrate my TDS meter, I'm hoping thats off, I just cant't believe all my membranes and filters are bad all ready.?

I wouldn't think so... you could try testing distilled water. It to shoudl have 0 TDSs.

Did you run water through the membrane for a few hours at first??

[icereefer]

No was I suppose too? I ran water threw my carbon filter for about 6 minutes but it didn't say anything about the DI cartridge. :(

Just the membrane... it needs a break in period. I'm really not sure if that would be causing this but my Typhoon III said to run the membrane for like 6 hours... but I think 3-4 would be fine. I don't see how it would hurt anything but maybe the DI... if the membrane wasn't filtering properly sense all other filters are upstream from the membrane.

[icereefer]

not mine, my unit goes tap water to 1 mircon cartridge, to carbon to membrane to Deionization cartridge to holding tank. mine just said to run water threw carbon filter for minimum of five minture then disgaurd the first 10 gals ?