RO storage tank getting smaller????

[Sogaard]

The capacity of my RO storage tank is getting smaller ???

My storage tank is the standard "25 lbs propane tank", not sure what the water capacity.

I have change the filters, but it did not change anything.

When the tank is full the water pressure is good, but drops down to a trickle after approx 1 gallon.

I used to get 2 or 3 out without issues.

Any hints to what the problem could be

[Andy CWS]

Your RO tank is listed as a '3-gallon tank', but that is rather misleading. There is a bladder in it that occupies 50% of that '3 gallons'. So you only get about a gallon and a half.

As the tank tank empties due to the bladder enlarging (7-9 psi), the pressure at the faucet drops quickly. You can try to adjust the air pressure. The higher the air presure the less volume you have and the slower it refills. This is required sometimes to help water get to distant faucets or feed fridges.

Drop the pressure and the volume increases but the delivery is slower. Pressure can be adjusted by the schrader valve on the bottom. An additional tank can be teed in to double the volume. Or replace it with a larger tank.

There could also be filter and membrane isssues. There is one RO that uses your household water pressure to provide high flow rate and large volume. I thas proven very effective.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[Gary Slusser]

Empty the tank and check the air pressure is 7-10 lbs with no water in it.

The membrane may be bad and needing to be replaced.

If you need higher pressure, buy a premate or booster pump for like $100, instead of a new/different and very expensive proprietary RO, such as a Kinetico.

[Andy CWS]

Sogaard,

I sent you a PM. Thanks.
Andy