Moth ball smell in RO water?

[brynbyers]

I have a feeling I know the answer, but just wanted to verify...

I just changed my Air, Water Ice Typhon filters (sediment, carbon and DI...not the membrane) for the first time and have a "moth ball" smell in the new water that wasn't there when I first received and used the unit. Apparently it's para-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB), but I just want to know if that is reef safe? I'm thinking that I would need to dump this first batch of water, but I didn't see anything in the filter change instructions to do so.

 

[coolsurf]

After a change over it is not uncommon to let the system run prior to using the first batch. I think I let it run somewhere around 45 minutes.

 

[ichthyoid]

Mothballs used to be made from either paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene, and as far as I know still are. I would not want either in a reef.

Also-

1,4-Dichlorobenzene (para</em>-dichlorobenzene, p</em>-DCB, PDB) is an http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_compound"><span style="color: #0645ad">organic compound</span></a> with the [IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_formula"><span style="color: #0645ad">formula</span></a> C6H4Cl2. This colorless [IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid"><span style="color: #0645ad">solid</span></a> has a strong [IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odor"><span style="color: #0645ad">odor</span></a>. It consists of two [IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine"><span style="color: #0645ad">chlorine</span></a> atoms substituted at opposing sites on a [IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene"><span style="color: #0645ad">benzene</span></a> ring. [B]<u>[I]p</em>-DCB is used a pesticide</u> [/B]and a deodorant, most familiarly in [IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothball"><span style="color: #0645ad">mothballs</span></a> in which it is a replacement for the more traditional [IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphthalene"><span style="color: #0645ad">naphthalene</span></a>.

The above means it kills things, most likely inverts first.

[IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,4-Dichlorobenzene">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,4-Dichlorobenzene</a>

 

[brynbyers]

Think I'll go dump the batch now...getting tired of watching the snow fall anyway

 

[ichthyoid]

I don't know why you would be smelling the above compounds, and believe it may possibly be residual vinyl chloride from manufacturing (from making PVC 'plasic'). As another poster mentioned, try running your unit for a while and see if the odor goes away.

 

[brynbyers]

FYI - After dumping the first 40 gallons, I received a reply from Air, Water Ice. Apparently they are using a new brand of resin in their filters. As long as my TDS are 0, water should be fine. (Second batch of water smell wasn't as bad)

 

[ichthyoid]

FWIW- if you had a final activated carbon filter bank, it would eliminate any smell.

As for the new resin- volatile compounds, which include 'the smell', have no place in water treatment-JMHO.

I suspect that the 'new resin' saved money. Again-MO