We put a 20 gph AC watermaker in 20 years ago to feed the consumption of a family with 3 little kids, laundry etc. Best money ever spent. 7 years ago we added a pressure vessel and membrane to increase output to 40 gph. This was to feed the teenagers ability to take showers, laundry etc. I felt that 13 years on the original membrane was enough and replaced it when adding the other. During that time and per the instructions of the manufacturer we NEVER have pickled. It is either used or flushed weekly with water that has NO Chlorine. I fill the tanks occasionally with city water and the chlorine present takes care of anything in the tanks. I then let it "boil" off for a week before starting the back flush of the system. Never a problem with water quality. My only gripe has been the plugging of prefilters in the West Coast in areas. I do the multiple filter gig. This year I had a plankton filter installed and it's too early so far for a final judgement on its effect. I am still seeking a small sand filter. Now our kids are gone to college and we have a huge surplus of water. Boat wash and laundry are done frequently and I beg people to take water. My synopsis is to keep the system simple. NO electronics, flush every two weeks, use it often