RO Permeate and Booster Pump
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Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=79545
Printed Date: April 27 2025 at 5:24am
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Topic: RO Permeate and Booster Pump
Posted By: christhjesus
Subject: RO Permeate and Booster Pump
Date Posted: March 22 2016 at 9:03pm
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I have recently decided to add a booster pump to my RO system. I already have a permeate pump and I am wondering if I can keep the permeate pump when I add the booster. The only thing I can think of being an issue would be the booster pump cycling on and off with the permeate pump cycle. Anyone know of the best way to run both pumps or should I just stick with the booster. |
Replies:
Posted By: christhjesus
Date Posted: March 26 2016 at 1:38pm
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Anyone? |
Posted By: kody72
Date Posted: March 27 2016 at 12:13pm
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Posted By: christhjesus
Date Posted: March 27 2016 at 9:35pm
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I have never gauged it. Its probably not very low but I want to drive the membrane to near its max to get the most efficiency I can get from it. I have already finished the setup but need to grab a set of fittings tomorrow before I can install it. I found a setup online that got me near to where I wanted to have mine setup and I just modified it as I seen fit. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: March 28 2016 at 9:54am
The reason for a permeate pump is to push more water into the storage(pressure) tank.  How many gallons is that tank in your RO system? The standard size pressure tank can hold ~3 gallons. If that is not enough RO water for immediate needs, then I recommend adding another tank, rather than bothering with the slight increase in quantity that a permeate pump will provide. Your question was about a pressure pump. A pressure pump will only be worth bothering with if the city water pressure at your house is below 40-50 psi. It's not too difficult to determine the city water pressure at your place. Just look on the Layton City website water page or call them to see if they can tell you the service pressure for your neighborhood. What is the TDS of your permeate/pure product water? This is important to know for several reasons, in this case it gives an indication of the efficiency of your system.If the pure water production seems slow, I always look at the Restrictor. The Restrictor needs to be clean(not clogged) and it's rated flow matched to the RO Membrane. The Restrictor is usually the fat finger size piece on the waste water line, or it may be an internal piece in the line at the fitting. Feel free to contact me (808-345-1049) for my help. People may think I'm crazy, but I often use a plastic valve as a Restrictor. I adjust the valve to obtain maximum pure water production for whichever gpd(gallons per day) Membrane I happen to be using. Household RO membranes work best, meaning they produce the purest and most quantity of product water, at around 60 psi. Pressure between 40-80 is acceptable. I honestly don't know the difference in production between 40 psi and 80 psi, but if the RO unit is constantly running to provide water for a family household, the best answer would probably be to get a larger (or additional) pressure tank or run the product into a barrel for aquarium use and leave the pressure tank for household use Hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me. Aloha, Mark  808-345-1049
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