Help me decide on a Water Softener/RO system
johngalt117
12 years ago
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johngalt117
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRelated Discussions
Please help us decide on a water filtration system
Comments (2)Is the water clear coming from the tap, but gains some rusty color after sitting for a while, or does it have color immediately? A little light reading regarding options for ferrous (clear-water) iron removal: Softener: A softener with specialty resin is capable of removing dissolved iron, up to 7 ppm (mg/L) but asking a softener to remove iron at those upper limits is really pushing it. In addition, a softener will become fouled with particulate iron, so if you iron is particulate rather than dissolved, a softener is not a good option for you. Oxidation/Filtration: An oxidizer such as ozone, air, or chlorine may be used to react with the iron and force it to become particulate iron that can then be removed via filtration. A typical setup would involve the oxidizing unit, a holding tank, then a media filter. This type of system works quite well, but takes some expertise in sizing - you would want a water treatment pro that you trust to help you with this option. Oxidizing filtration media: This type of treatment consists of a sealed tank filled with one of several media. Water passes through and is oxidized and filtered by the media. These are relatively easy to operate and what I would recommend for the average homeowner. There are several different media that can be used: manganese greensand: water runs through for treatment. The media must be regenerated with potassium permanganate. Care must be taken with dealing with potassium permanganate as it readily dies organic material, such as your skin, a purple-brown color. Some people are quite comfortable dealing with the chemical; others are not. Synthetic greensand: This is essentially the same as option (a) but consists of a coating of greensand on a silica sand core so does not require as much backwash flow. Service flow rate is 2 - 5 gpm/sqft. Backwash flow rate is 12 gpm/sqft. birm: This media acts as a catalyst to force oxidation of iron. While it does not need to be regenerated, it does need fairly high dissolved oxygen in the water. If your water does not have adequate dissolved oxygen (and it probably doesn't since it is well water), air injection would be necessary prior to the birm. Additionally, birm requires a minimum pH of 6.8.. Service flow rate is 3.5 - 5.0 gpm per sqft. Backwash flow rate is 11 - 20 gpm, depending upon water temperatures and desired bed expansion. pyrolox: an ore that oxidizes then filters the iron out. It does not need regeneration, but needs to be backwashed (to rinse out the iron) at a high rate. pH range is 6.5 - 9.0. This type of filter works very well, but backwash is critical. Service flow rate is 5 gpm/sqft. Backwash is 25-30 gpm/sqft. Backwash daily. Terminox: Similar to Pyrolox, but a proprietary formula . It does not require as much backwash flow rate and is more resistance to a low pH. The particulars are only available from the company that sells it. Backwash daily. Filox: Also similar to Pyrolox. pH range 5.0 - 9.0.......See MoreWill we need RO system once water softener is installed?
Comments (6)Taste is so dependent upon what is in the water, that it's hard to say whether it will taste significantly different from naturally soft water. I grew up with naturally soft water as well, ans still like that water, but don't care for the taste of the softened water at my current home. My parents' softened water, in a different state, tastes fine to me, however. You do need a special faucet for RO, but MOST instant hot faucets will work fine. Your hot water would then be RO water also. Instant hot faucets are vented, so they are configured differently from a normal faucet. There will be 3 tubes attached to the faucet, probably red, white and blue. If you open the cold water valve, water travels up the blue line and out the faucet. If you open the hot valve, cold water travels up the blue line, turns around and goes back down the white line and into the instant hot tank, forcine water out of the tank and up the red line and out the faucet. I have one of these, although a different brand, and it works very well. RO water is more aggressive than tap water because it is cleaner, so you will want to ensure that your instant hot tank is lined with stainless steel and that the faucet is constructed of low-lead brass. I believe Insinkerator has a model that is stainless, but double check....See MoreWater Softener - Help with Proper System Selection
Comments (9)For softener, Alice is the master here. He know everything in and out about that. I'm about to put one of this : http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/products/green-carbon-water-conditioners/green-carbon-10.htm before my softener, but after reading the article about the bacteria...I'm rethinking it. My main concern is the chloramines (the byproduct is causing cancer) absorbed by the skin when taking shower, the copper pipe issue is second. what do you mean by proper maintenance?If you put one of this, the water running through the house have no disinfectant, maybe its better to ask the manufacture and see what they have to say on that issue. Another thing about this whole house filter is you need to change the catalytic carbon every 6-8 years. I wish there a movement to stop municipal to use chloramines and stick with chlorine instead. It is a lot easier to remove at POU (Point of Use)....See MoreWater Softener, Filteration, RO systems. Local vs Fleck.
Comments (2)You might also want to ask in the plumbing forum...See Morejustalurker
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agoasolo
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
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12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojohngalt117
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agoasolo
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojohngalt117
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojohngalt117
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojohngalt117
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
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12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
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12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
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12 years agolast modified: 8 years agojustalurker
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5 years ago
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