For those of you using RO filters

[krazydave]

I recently just added an RO filter to my arsenal... Now I know that with my standard carbon filter that I have been using and now use for tap water when diluting, I have always removed the filter and let it dry out after a brew day to keep anything from growing on it.

Do you dry out your RO filters in the same way?


I generally only brew maybe once a month. So that's a while for stale water to be sitting in there I would think...

 

[MNDan]

Why aren't you installing one of those little kitchen faucets so you can use your RO water for drinking water as well? Once you start drinking RO it's tough to go back to regular tap water - it's delicious! I have a T setup from my RO tank with a valve so I can either route it upstairs to the bladder in the kitchen or I can fill my water jugs downstairs for brewing.

 

[krazydave]

Two reasons, actually...
First one is that my kitchen sink doesn't have anymore holes to fit one of those faucets.
Second is that (due to the first reason), I fill a couple 5gal Sparkletts jugs and use those for drinking water in the kitchen.

I did actually send this question to bulk reef supply, which is where I bought the filter from.
Here's their response, in case anyone else is curious about this.

Hey there,
You will want to keep water in your Ro system in-between uses and store it in a dark cool place. Draining the water can dry out the filters and make them prematurely fail. When you are starting the system up again to make water It wouldn't hurt to flush the 1st gallon of water through the membrane so any water that was stagnant in the unit gets flushed.

Charlie
WQA Certified Water Specialist
BulkReefSupply.com
Customer Support

 

[MetalMatt]

Im pretty sure drying out an RO membrane will ruin it.

 

[ChuckO]

The same type of step drill or Greenlee punch used to modify a keggle can be used on the sink to make a hole for RO water faucet.

 

[vince805]

I would have to agree with what the guys from Bulk Reef Supply said, while also highly recommending ordering from them. I have a ro/di filter for my fish tank, and have purchased many many things from them for it(the tank). In the fish tank world, you never hear of anyone drying out there filters in between uses.

 

[krazydave]

The same type of step drill or Greenlee punch used to modify a keggle can be used on the sink to make a hole for RO water faucet.

I'd rather not take the risk of drilling a porcelain coated sink when it's a rental property. Granted I could plug it when I move, I'm just concerned that the chipping of the porcelain could get ugly real quick.



And FWIW, I definitely recommend BRS also. I've made a few batches now and filled a few 5gal jugs for kitchen use with the RO system I bought and it's worked great. The quality of everything they sent was top notch and the support has been great as well.

 

[ChuckO]

You're right, porcelain coated cast iron is a real problem. Didn't know that it was a rental property, that changes everything.

I have also heard good things about BRS, although my RO filter didn't come from them.