[Small but perfectley formed]

My production rates seem to have lowered in the few months since i put new RO s in , i have been research on the net and you can use various agents to clean the RO of scale and bio film.
Has anyone tried this to improve production and extend the membrane lifespan.

[Window Lickers]

Change prefilters.

[Small but perfectley formed]

Changing the pre filters  does not remove any deposits on the membrane. The pre filter do not remove biofilm or calcium carbonate these are the most common to clog membranes.

[Window Lickers]

But if your prefilters are clogged your production rates will go down.

[Window Lickers]

Fit a water softener if you have hard water and CaCO3 is a concern.

[Alex Gardiner]

A water softener is the best preventative.

Once a membrane has calcified (can happen in just 8 weeks on some supplies) then some clients have used an off the shelf de-calcifier such as Kilrock (http://www.diy.com/departments/kilrock-descaler-400ml/258210_BQ.prd) and soak the membrane in it, before flushing through thoroughly. I do not know if this is an approved method, but it has worked for them.

[richywilts]

just reminded me i could do with a back flush and an ro flush this weekend

[mac74]

just reminded me i could do with a back flush and an ro flush this weekend

How well does this really work mate, as ive heard when a r.o's on it way out its irreversible? (like mine is? from 8/50tds 3+yrs unboosted) cheers m.

[richywilts]

mine is an ionic van system which has been ripped out to be a static it is quite noticeable if its not been done for a while

supposed to do a back wash every 1000 litres and an ro flush 1-2 times a week

i do it once a month usually

[martin hulstone]

Cant say i agree with a water softener, if you go through quite a bit of water it costs a fortune in salt as it has to be flushed after every fill, plus water only calcifies after it has been boiled unless it is extremely hard. thats why kettles washing machines etc get clogged up quicker in hard water areas. i just run it as it is and flush and back wash reguarly. Plus every time you put your water through a different vessel it puts more strain on the water pressure so i dont bother with a salt vessel.

[Window Lickers]

June at Gapswater told me not to bother flushing.

[niceandclean]

June at Gapswater told me not to bother flushing.

Really, what were her reasons not to flush?

My first system was an Ionics van mount, so always back flushed with salt and flushed the RO. As above, cost a small fortune in salt. Then in 2006 I bought my first static from RO Man and they said not to bother with the salt, just make sure you flush regularly. At the time they said if you can, we recommend flushing with pure water, never did. That was a HF4, pumped at 90psi and it lasted 6 years.

[britishwill]

I have never flushed my one from June @ gaps. I live in a very high TDS area. Was told not to bother also

[Lee GLS]

I have never flushed my one from June @ gaps. I live in a very high TDS area. Was told not to bother also

That's interesting, did she give the reason why?

[britishwill]

Yes I think she said water is always flowing over the membrane so it is flushing as it produces. I have done both methods and I cannot see a difference and a mate of mine when I told him about flushing said he has never done it!
Obviously change the pre filters regulary