Noisy, weepy RO

My RO unit (RO Ultratec, 3 canisters, 2 membrane cylinders) makes an
intermittent buzzing noise, and also seems to be "weeping" (not enough
to actually drip) from most of the plastic water lines. I replaced the
filters (not the membranes; system is only 7 months old), but I still
get the buzzing and the weeping. One membrane cylinder is connected to
a float valve for the sump, and the other is for water changes etc.
The cylinder connected to the float valve shows constant pressure, even
when the float is closed, but the other cylinder only shows pressure
when the valve is open (making water). Any thoughts on what is causing
one or both of these problems? I have no manual/info. on the system,
and no longer do business with the LFS that sold me the set up.

The weeping is probably from the cold winter water going
through the lines, causing condensation.

Where and when is the buzzing happening?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



finzrfun wrote on 1/20/2007 3:34 AM:
My RO unit (RO Ultratec, 3 canisters, 2 membrane cylinders) makes an
intermittent buzzing noise, and also seems to be "weeping" (not enough
to actually drip) from most of the plastic water lines. I replaced the
filters (not the membranes; system is only 7 months old), but I still
get the buzzing and the weeping. One membrane cylinder is connected to
a float valve for the sump, and the other is for water changes etc.
The cylinder connected to the float valve shows constant pressure, even
when the float is closed, but the other cylinder only shows pressure
when the valve is open (making water). Any thoughts on what is causing
one or both of these problems? I have no manual/info. on the system,
and no longer do business with the LFS that sold me the set up.

Also the buzzing could be from air in the line. Check for
that.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Wayne Sallee wrote on 1/20/2007 5:54 PM:
The weeping is probably from the cold winter water going through the
lines, causing condensation.

Where and when is the buzzing happening?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



finzrfun wrote on 1/20/2007 3:34 AM:
My RO unit (RO Ultratec, 3 canisters, 2 membrane cylinders) makes an
intermittent buzzing noise, and also seems to be "weeping" (not enough
to actually drip) from most of the plastic water lines. I replaced the
filters (not the membranes; system is only 7 months old), but I still
get the buzzing and the weeping. One membrane cylinder is connected to
a float valve for the sump, and the other is for water changes etc.
The cylinder connected to the float valve shows constant pressure, even
when the float is closed, but the other cylinder only shows pressure
when the valve is open (making water). Any thoughts on what is causing
one or both of these problems? I have no manual/info. on the system,
and no longer do business with the LFS that sold me the set up.

Wayne:

Thanks for the info. As for condensation, that is possible, although I
am in Northern California, so cold is a relative concept. We've had a
real cold snap lately (hi 20's-low 30's), but we don't usually get
below the low 40's/ high 30's, and this problem started before the cold
snap (although not before the generally cooler winter weather).

I think air is the cause of the buzzing; it often happens after I've
opened one of the filter canisters, and when that happens, it will stop
if I open the output valve and let it run for a minute. On the other
hand, when I recently changed the filters, I let it generate a couple
of gallons of output to flush the new elements. Shouldn't that have
bled any air out of the system? The buzzing seems random; it will be
fine for hours and then all of a sudden buzz it will buzz for several
minutes- sometimes as many as 10-15 min. Perhaps it is related to when
the automatic float lets some water in to the refugium. Is there a
specific procedure for checking/bleeding air? The only other thing I
can think of is if there is a problem with the membranes; they are only
7 months old, and tap water is good quality, but its treated with
cloramines, which I understand can shorten membrane life.

- Dave

It's probably condensation. I'm here in central Florida
and it does not get very cold here, though it does get
down to freezing from time to time. Here at the store, to
make better use of the waist ro water, I sent the waist
water to the toilet, but the cool water was causing a
problem of condensation on the toilet seat. So I added a
little bumper on the toilet seat lid to raise it up a bit,
and that took care of that.

You might be getting a lot of air in your tap water. Check
for that. As for flushing a new membrane, you should flush
about 5 gallons.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



finzrfun wrote on 1/22/2007 2:24 AM:
Wayne:

Thanks for the info. As for condensation, that is possible, although I
am in Northern California, so cold is a relative concept. We've had a
real cold snap lately (hi 20's-low 30's), but we don't usually get
below the low 40's/ high 30's, and this problem started before the cold
snap (although not before the generally cooler winter weather).

I think air is the cause of the buzzing; it often happens after I've
opened one of the filter canisters, and when that happens, it will stop
if I open the output valve and let it run for a minute. On the other
hand, when I recently changed the filters, I let it generate a couple
of gallons of output to flush the new elements. Shouldn't that have
bled any air out of the system? The buzzing seems random; it will be
fine for hours and then all of a sudden buzz it will buzz for several
minutes- sometimes as many as 10-15 min. Perhaps it is related to when
the automatic float lets some water in to the refugium. Is there a
specific procedure for checking/bleeding air? The only other thing I
can think of is if there is a problem with the membranes; they are only
7 months old, and tap water is good quality, but its treated with
cloramines, which I understand can shorten membrane life.

- Dave

Wayne:

I think its more than condensation; there are some big drops and a
small puddle under the unit tonight. I think something is plugged,
particularly since there is no pressure in one of the membrane units
unless I open the outlet. I have fairly low pressure (45-50 psi). If
a line or membrane was blocked, would this be enough pressure to blow
the hose connections? Some of them look like the little plastic rings
are trying to pop out (on the yellow plastic lines connecting the
filters and membrane units). Is there a way to check for blockage?
Obviously I can blow through the lines, but I imagine some of them
coming/going from the membrane units are supposed to have resistance. I
checked the waste lines, and there is resistance (can't blow through
them), but I understand this is the way its supposed to be. Please
excuse my ignorance here; I have many years of fish-keeping experience,
but I'm fairly new to the world of reefs and RO.

- Dave G.

Wayne Sallee wrote:
It's probably condensation. I'm here in central Florida
and it does not get very cold here, though it does get
down to freezing from time to time. Here at the store, to
make better use of the waist ro water, I sent the waist
water to the toilet, but the cool water was causing a
problem of condensation on the toilet seat. So I added a
little bumper on the toilet seat lid to raise it up a bit,
and that took care of that.

You might be getting a lot of air in your tap water. Check
for that. As for flushing a new membrane, you should flush
about 5 gallons.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



finzrfun wrote on 1/22/2007 2:24 AM:
Wayne:

Thanks for the info. As for condensation, that is possible, although I
am in Northern California, so cold is a relative concept. We've had a
real cold snap lately (hi 20's-low 30's), but we don't usually get
below the low 40's/ high 30's, and this problem started before the cold
snap (although not before the generally cooler winter weather).

I think air is the cause of the buzzing; it often happens after I've
opened one of the filter canisters, and when that happens, it will stop
if I open the output valve and let it run for a minute. On the other
hand, when I recently changed the filters, I let it generate a couple
of gallons of output to flush the new elements. Shouldn't that have
bled any air out of the system? The buzzing seems random; it will be
fine for hours and then all of a sudden buzz it will buzz for several
minutes- sometimes as many as 10-15 min. Perhaps it is related to when
the automatic float lets some water in to the refugium. Is there a
specific procedure for checking/bleeding air? The only other thing I
can think of is if there is a problem with the membranes; they are only
7 months old, and tap water is good quality, but its treated with
cloramines, which I understand can shorten membrane life.

- Dave