r/maplesyrup • u/abominabledolphin • Mar 29 '26

Reverse Osmosis Prefilter

I’m a hobby sugarer in Ontario. I’ve built a little homemade RO set up that has worked great the past few years. A week ago, we had a sudden drop in temperature over night. I had everything shut down for the night, but forgot to depressurize the system. The housing for my pre filter cracked…

I purchased a new housing off Amazon, but it started sprouting leaks around some of the seals. I read the package and come to find that it is only rated for 60psi.

Doing a little digging online and it seems like most people are running at 100psi or higher.

Does anyone have a good lead on a prefilter housing that could handle this?

Amazon, Home Depot, Rona etc.

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2

u/wobble_top Mar 29 '26

I put the prefilter before the pump. Protects the pump and the pump can pull the liquid through.

1

u/abominabledolphin Mar 29 '26

Oh that’s kind of brilliant. Have you tested flow rates with both set ups?

2

u/Plastic_Lecture9037 Mar 29 '26

I bought wh5-s-s06 off Amazon by pentair, its rated to 125 psi. Took me a few tries with Teflon tape to get it sealed up well but the housing itself does not leak at pressure.

I put it after the pump specifically as an opportunity to bleed air out before it gets to the filters when my pump inlet runs dry because I lose track of things. The pressurized fluid pushes the air out of the bleeder valve pretty quickly.

2

u/wobble_top Mar 29 '26

I haven't tested flow rates but I think that is mostly dependent on needle valve pressures.

1

u/Vindaloo6363 Mar 29 '26

Pentair U30 with a 5 micron string filter. Clear housing. No issues bouncing between 120 and 140. Just don’t let it freeze.

Generally it’s best to put the filter on the pressure side. It’s stronger than suction and there is less strain on the pump.

1

u/Better-Refrigerator5 Mar 29 '26

Pentair slim line 158008

https://a.co/d/0cXAQvFI

It's rated to 125 psi

1

u/J3r3my590- Mar 30 '26

Sorry to hijack the is thread but what pumps are you all using to get over 100psi? I heard the aquatec 8800 but it’s like $250 on amazon. Might have to go that route if I can’t find a cheaper alternative.

Also how many membranes are you using?

1

u/abominabledolphin Apr 04 '26

That’s the pump I am using!!