RI/DO canister order???

[loudell]

What would be the best order of water flow on a municipal water supply for the following canister filters:

- 5 or 10 micron sediment filter
- Activated carbon filter
- deionization resin
- RO membrane

[hkgar]

- 5 or 10 micron sediment filter No 10, use a 1 or .5
- Activated carbon filter
- RO membrane
- deionization resin

[Vinny Kreyling]

Yeah, 5/10 micron & you might as well leave the cartridge out.
Both carbon & sediment should be the same or lower on the carbon would work.

[bertoni]

The deionization has to go after the RO to be of any practical use. I agree that the sediment filter should be first, assuming it is coarser than the carbon filter, which is what I would expect. Does the carbon filter have a micron rating?

[loudell]

Yes, the carbon filter has a 5 micron rating....

[mcgyvr]

Always filter out the sediment first.. Then filter out chemicals like Chlorine,etc.. with the carbon to protect the membrane from it.. Then the RO membrane then the DI stage removes what the RO couldn't.. ..

This is how ALL water filters work regardless of municipal or well water or whatever..

[bertoni]

The sediment filter should be first, then. If the filters are chosen properly, the carbon filter will be a finer mesh than the sediment filter, and it should go second. I might ask about a finer carbon phase if the sediment filter at 5 microns works. Do you mean that you have two sediment filters? If so, the 10 micron should be first.

[loudell]

Yes. I have a 10 micron sediment cartridge which I will use first. Then the 5 micron carbon cartridge. then the RO and last the de-ionization. Is there any advantage to ending with another carbon after the de ionization or is that redundant?

[bertoni]

The carbon phase after DI is said to improve the taste of water for drinking, although I don't know why. For a reef tank, it's not useful in general.

[loudell]

Would a carbon phase after the DI increase the TDS/Conductivity?

[bertoni]

Some, but maybe not measurably with hobbyist equipment. I don't know how much would leach from activated carbon, but it'd be greater than zero. If the carbon is of good quality, nothing dangerous would make it into the water, though.