FREQUENTLY Asked Questions

What are the benefits of Lowering the EC in my growing water?

First and foremost, by lowering the amount of Total Dissolved Solids/EC in your water you make room for more nutrients to be absorbed by your plants.

Additionally, the process of lowering the TDS/EC will eliminate the unknown levels of Salts, Heavy Metals, VOC’s, and other contaminants typically found in municipal water supplies.

Using Low EC Reverse Osmosis Water will eliminate these potentially serious issues in the growing process and will give your plants the best quality water right from the start.

Why choose GrowMax Garden RO systems?

In general, most growers prefer starting with the lowest EC water possible, to increase the amount of nutrients they can feed their plants. Therefore, GrowMax Garden RO systems are their first choice for indoor growing. However, if you already live in an area with very low EC to start and you just want to eliminate chlorine and other contaminants, then a Garden filtration unit may be just what you need.

Filtration systems produce more water, faster, and when growing outdoors, can give a grower more flexibility. GrowMax Water has three Garden Reverse Osmosis and three Garden Filtration systems to choose from.

When to replace pre-filters?

GrowMax uses premium pre-filters in all units. The 5-micron MaxPur sediment pre-filter protects and extends the life of the GMW CleanGreen Carbon Block pre-filter and increases its adsorption capacity. The CleanGreen Carbon block filters eliminates volatile organic contaminants (VOC’s) and chlorine, which in turn protects the RO membrane.

Replacing the pre-filters is essential to keep your RO system producing quality water and optimal capacity.

REPLACEMENT FILTER PACKS

Does the condition of my water effect the output of my system?

We use proprietary high flow 150 GPD membranes for our Garden RO systems. This is the highest production membrane currently available in this configuration, without using much more expensive membranes that require higher inlet pressure, and additional pumps and motors.

System production will increase or decrease depending on variations in water temperature, water pressure and amount of total dissolved solids in your input water.

The 150 GPD specification is based on the following parameters:
Water Temperature: 77º F
Water Pressure: 60 psi (4.3 kg/cm3)
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): 500 ppm (0.7 EC)

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When should I replace the RO membranes?

GrowMax Water`s proprietary high flow membranes are manufactured with the highest quality, FDA approved, thin film composite material. Our membranes are designed to reject between 90% and up to 98% of salts and heavy metals. With time, all membranes will start to calcify, reducing their production rate.

Over time membranes will also slowly lose their rejection efficiency. You can replace your membranes when the rejection rate starts to fall below your required standard.

Using a simple TDS or EC meter you can check your water quality to gauge the current performance of your membrane. Keep in mind that Chlorine especially affects the membranes and therefore it is important to always replace your carbon block filters in a timely manner.  

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When do I replace DI cartridges?

GrowMax Water deionization filters (DI) are always used as a post-filter, to eliminate any remaining TDS/EC that may be present in the water after passing thru an RO unit.
Each DI filter cartridge has a determined amount of capacity which varies according to the TDS of your input water. Accordingly, the lifespan of each DI cartridge will differ.
If you are looking to always have 0.0 EC water, change out the DI filter when the EC starts to rise.

In the EC ELIMINATOR 0.0 the DI filter is incorporated into the unit. The GMW DI KIT can be installed later as a post filter to both the POWER GROW 500 and the MEGA GROW 1000.

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What is minimum pressure for a GMW RO system?

Recommended minimum pressure for membrane production is set at 60 psi. Our RO units can function at pressure as low as 40psi, however production quantity and quality may be compromised.

We offer RO booster pumps that will increase inlet pressure to the membrane up to and over 60psi. Higher pressure will always produce better results in RO systems, improving production and water quality.

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What is maximum TDS/EC for a GMW RO system?

Assuming an inlet pressure of 60 psi, GrowMax Garden RO systems can function correctly with up to 1000 TDS. If necessary, using an RO booster pump and increasing pressure above 60psi will allow for the units to handle a maximum of 1500 TDS. As a rule, the higher the TDS you have coming into the unit, the less production output.

Does the Reverse Osmosis process produce wastewater?

All RO systems must send water to the drain. All membranes have two outlets, one for the good water and one for the rejected water. If there is not enough reject water going to the drain you will foul your membrane very quickly. That said, we have designed our systems to have a very efficient reject ratio of only 2:1 (many RO systems reject 3:1, 5;1 even 10:1).

Regarding conservation, remember that RO reject water can also be used for many purposes. This “rejected” water will now be chlorine free, and will contain a slightly higher concentration of salts, but this water can still be used for other purposes around your home or garden.

Can I install GrowMax Water systems on Well Water?

Private well water is not regulated by your municipality, and we recommend having it tested.

Our systems do not add anything to your water, rather they reduce or eliminate chlorine, volatile organic contaminants, salts and heavy metals. If your water was potable to begin with, it will be even cleaner afterwards. NOTE: GrowMax Water systems should not be used with well-water of unknown potability.

Is the water drinkable from these systems?

Our systems do not add anything to your water, rather they reduce or eliminate chlorine, volatile organic contaminants, salts and heavy metals. If your water was potable to begin with, it will be even cleaner afterwards. NOTE: GrowMax Water systems should not be used with well-water of unknown potability.