{"title":"RO Membranes","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"2-5-x-14-freshwater-reverse-osmosis-membrane","title":"Crystal Quest 2.5\" x 14\" Freshwater RO Membrane, 2514 TFC Element","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis 2.5\" x 14\" RO membrane is the element inside an RO system that does the real separating: it holds back the dissolved salts and minerals while purified water passes through.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your RO water begins to taste salty or flat, the TDS reading keeps creeping upward, or output falls even though the pre-filters are new, a worn membrane is the usual cause.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrystal Quest lists this Freshwater Reverse Osmosis Membrane (part number CQE-RC-04111, size 2514) as the replacement for its 300 GPD \u003ca href=\"\/products\/whole-house-reverse-osmosis-system\"\u003eWhole House Reverse Osmosis System\u003c\/a\u003e as well as its 200 GPD Low-Flow Reverse Osmosis System. Since 2514 is an industry-standard size, the element also suits other RO units designed for a 2.5 by 14 inch membrane. The element uses TFC (thin-film composite) construction and is meant for municipal or well supplies that were pre-filtered and dechlorinated first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey features of this 2514 RO membrane\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for your system:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 300 GPD Whole House RO takes one, and a 200 GPD Low-Flow RO uses one as well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRejection stated with its conditions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 99% nominal salt rejection, 96% minimum, measured at 550 ppm feed, 150 psi, 77°F (25°C) and 15% recovery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFreshwater class:\u003c\/strong\u003e intended for well and tap water below 2,000 ppm TDS.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYears of service:\u003c\/strong\u003e expect 2 to 3 years, although feed water quality, system setup and household demand decide how long it actually lasts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow the element is built\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe element is a spiral-wound cylinder. Sheets of TFC membrane are wrapped about a perforated tube at the center, and a mesh spacer between the sheets keeps a channel open for the feed water. The purified water (permeate) travels inward in a spiral and leaves via the center tube, while everything that is rejected exits at the opposite end as concentrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt one end, a brine seal closes the gap between element and housing wall, so the feed water has to go through the membrane rather than past it. The element is packed in preservative solution, and both ends of the permeate tube are capped with protectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 14\" length only fits housings made for that length. It cannot be swapped with 2.5\" x 21\" or 2.5\" x 40\" elements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow RO membranes separate salts from water\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePressure turns osmosis around\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeft alone, water crosses a semipermeable membrane toward whichever side holds more salt. A reverse osmosis system applies more force than that natural osmotic pull, which pushes the water molecules across the membrane and leaves the dissolved ions on the feed side. Crystal Quest specifies 150 psi operating pressure for the elements in its whole house RO systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCross-flow keeps the surface clear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever the element rejects is not stored inside it. Feed water flows along the membrane surface, and the concentrate takes the rejected minerals away to the drain, which is how a single element can last for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe same principle explains the drain water: each RO system from Crystal Quest sends roughly 1 gallon to drain for each 1 to 3 gallons of purified water. The exact ratio varies with your water and settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUnderstanding the figures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo calculate rejection, subtract the product TDS from the feed TDS and divide the result by the feed TDS. Elements are rated one at a time at 15% recovery, so different elements can be compared fairly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduction drops when the water is colder or carries more TDS. RO water also measures 1 to 2 pH points lower than the feed water, because dissolved carbon dioxide gets through while the buffering minerals are held back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this RO membrane reduces, and what it doesn't\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain target:\u003c\/strong\u003e total dissolved solids, meaning the sodium, chloride, sulfate, calcium and magnesium ions that cause salty or mineral flavors and spotting. The whole house RO systems from Crystal Quest carry a rating of 98.5% nominal and 96% minimum salt rejection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso stopped:\u003c\/strong\u003e any particles that make it to the membrane, microplastics included, are much bigger than what can pass through it. Most of them are caught earlier by the pre-filters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot built for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree chlorine, which damages the TFC layer (0.1 ppm maximum)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSediment, which is the pre-filters' job\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIron or manganese above 0.05 ppm, or hardness above what your system allows; these coat and scale the membrane surface\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTreat these before the water reaches the membrane, or choose a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/whole-house-reverse-osmosis-system\"\u003eWhole House Reverse Osmosis System\u003c\/a\u003e that is sized to your water test.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Crystal Quest\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTaken from Crystal Quest's own replacement tables,\u003c\/strong\u003e so it matches their systems without any cross-referencing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFigures you can verify:\u003c\/strong\u003e the rejection rate is published along with the test conditions, and the Specifications tab lists all operating limits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn business since 1994,\u003c\/strong\u003e with more than 1,000,000 people served. Crystal Quest works to ISO 9001 quality management and has been building water filters in America for more than three decades.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it fits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e300 GPD Whole House Reverse Osmosis System:\u003c\/strong\u003e takes one element.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e200 GPD Low-Flow Reverse Osmosis System:\u003c\/strong\u003e takes one element.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifferent element needed:\u003c\/strong\u003e the 400 GPD Whole House RO takes the 2.5\" x 21\" Freshwater Reverse Osmosis Membrane instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore you order, compare the part number on the element you are replacing. RO cartridges and membranes can't be sent back, which is why you should get in touch if you are not sure which part you need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe standard 2514 format\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis low-energy freshwater element uses the common 2514 (2.5\" x 14\") size found in 2.5\" membrane housings designed for 14\" elements, Crystal Quest systems among them. Crystal Quest operates the elements in its whole house systems at 150 psi, far less than brackish and seawater elements are designed for, so on well and tap water the pump has an easier job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSharing the 2514 name is encouraging, but it does not prove fit. On a system from another brand, compare the position of the brine seal, the ends of the permeate tube and the flow direction against the element you have now, or ask us before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eStoring and handling the element\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery element is shipped sealed in a bag with preservative solution. Leave it sealed until installation, keep it indoors away from direct sun, and do not allow it to freeze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in use and wet, the element must never dry out. If the system will be out of use for a season, protect the elements against bacterial growth with Membrane Preservative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhich systems take the 2.5\" x 14\" element?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne goes in the 300 GPD Whole House Reverse Osmosis System, plus one in the 200 GPD Low-Flow Reverse Osmosis System.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan I use the 2.5\" x 21\" element instead?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. The longer 2.5\" x 21\" element is for the 400 GPD Whole House RO System. Always order the length listed for your system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow often does a 2514 RO membrane need replacing?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eCount on every 2 to 3 years. How long it lasts comes down to your feed water, the system setup and your daily demand. Measure the TDS of your feed water and RO water, so you replace the element once its performance falls instead of guessing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow much salt rejection can I expect?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe rating is 99% nominal salt rejection with a 96% minimum, at 550 ppm feed, 150 psi, 77°F and 15% recovery. What you measure yourself depends on the TDS, temperature and pressure of your water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes a new element need flushing?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Because new elements are shipped in preservative solution, flush for 1 hour or longer and throw away all permeate and concentrate produced while flushing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs it OK to feed chlorinated city water into the membrane?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, because the thin-film membrane can take 0.1 ppm free chlorine at most, so the SMART and carbon block pre-filters have to take the chlorine out first. Replace them on schedule to keep the element safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes it work on brackish or sea water?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo, it is designed for fresh water only. Crystal Quest sells brackish and seawater desalination elements separately; ask which element class suits your feed water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n","brand":"Crystal Quest®","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":60218609041792,"sku":"CQE-RC-04111","price":153.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 2","offer_id":60218609074560,"sku":"CQE-RC-04111-2PK","price":307.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 4","offer_id":60218609107328,"sku":"CQE-RC-04111-4PK","price":615.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1004\/5564\/5568\/files\/2-5-x-14-freshwater-reverse-osmosis-membrane-crystal-quest-water-filter-cartridges-1263586084.webp?v=1792950905"}],"url":"https:\/\/aquiowell.com\/collections\/ro-membranes.oembed","provider":"Aquiowell","version":"1.0","type":"link"}