Well Water Test Results -- Best cartridges for me?

[toberdick]

I just got back the test results for the well in the new home I'm building. I have a Spectrapure Five-Stage SP2000 unit, and I'm wondering what is the best combination of cartridges for me.

I'm thinking that I need the sediment filter and the carbon filter (I do need the carbon filter even though I have no chlorine or chloramine, right? It's my understanding that there are other materials that it will remove?).

I guess the big question is which two DI cartridges would be best. The SilicaFree seems like a no brainer, but what about the second one? The chloramine cartridge would be of no use, correct? Should I use a mixed-bed cartridge? I was thinking about a second SilicaFree cartridge because I have what I think are high silicate levels (12 mg/l), but then it seems that I would have no cation removal. Is this correct?

What do you think?

As a side question, since you guys are water experts, do you think I need any type of water softening system for my house overall? My well guy has been trying to sell me on a softener, citing the iron level (0.27 mg/l), but from the research I've done it seems that I'm just under the border of where problems may develop.

Here are my water test results:

Coliform Bacteria : 0 P/A
E. coli: 0 P/A
Chlorine, residual: None detected
Iron: 0.27 mg/l
Manganese: 0.01 mg/l
Sodium: 8.2 mg/l
Calcium: 17.1 mg/l
Chloride: None detected
Hardness: 47 mg/l
Magnesium: 1.0 mg/l
Sulfate: 11 mg/l
Silicate: 12 mg/l
Phosphate: Not detected
Nitrate: Not detected
Nitrite: Not detected
Color: 3 CU
Odor: 0
pH: 8.5 SU
Turbidity: 2.0 NTU

Thanks for any info you can provide.

-Todd

[toberdick]

Following up on the previous post, in the Reef Chemistry forum, I was told that I might not benefit from a carbon cartridge since I have no chlorine/chloramine. Do you agree? These are the two configurations I'm considering:

1) Sediment Filter
2) Carbon Filter
3) SilicaFree DI
4) Mixed Bed DI

or

1) Sediment Filter
2) SilicaFree DI
3) SilicaFree DI
4) Mixed Bed

Which of these two do you think would be better? Is there another configuration that you think would be better for my particular situation?

Thanks again for any info.

-Todd

[toberdick]

OK, now I'm getting myself even more confused. I'm thinking of adding my current 4-stage system to the 5-stage system (removing the RO part of course) so I would have 7 cartridges. I was thinking:

1) 1 micron sediment (I have a lot of sediment)
2) .5 micron sediment
3) .5 micron carbon
4) Silica Free DI (DI-SF-CI-10)
5) Silica Free DI (DI-SF-CI-10)
6) Mixed Bed DI (either DI-MB-10 or DI-SB-10)
7) Mixed Bed DI (either DI-MB-10 or DI-SB-10)

Which is better, the DI-MB-10 or the DI-SB-10 and why?

I was thinking I would switch out the SF in position (5) when the one in position (4) changed color and putting a new one in position (5). I also have two purity monitors, so I could put one after the mixed bed cartridge in position (6) and one after the mixed bed cartridge in position (7). This way I could switch out the mixed bed in position (7) when the one in position (6) was exhausted and put a new one in position (7). The second purity monitor would verify that the water leaving position (7) is pure.

Does this sound good, or am I going too far? Do you have any better suggestions?

-Todd

[SpectraPure]

Todd,

We think the best configuration FOR YOU would be:

1) 1 micron sediment
2) .5 micron sediment
2a) RO Membrane
3) .5 micron carbon
4) Silica Free DI (DI-SF-CI-10)
5) Silica Free DI (DI-SF-CI-10)
6) Mixed Bed DI (DI-MB-10)
7) Mixed Bed DI (DI-MB-10)

There are a lot of reasons why this configuration will
work for you, I just hope others reading this won't take
this config. as gospel as related to THEIR situation.

We NEVER recommend using DI carts without RO, even with
your relatively good water.

The second purity monitor is overkill, the output of the last cart will be good if you are monitoring and rotating the next-to-last cartridge.

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.

[toberdick]

Scott,

Thanks for the info. I guess I was just taking for granted the RO membrane. I was planning on using one -- however, I have to admit that I was planning on putting it after the carbon (position 3a, rather than 2a as you recommended).

Is there a particular reason you recommended that I put it before the carbon? Is it just because of my particular situation or is this the standard place to put it now? I always thought it went after the carbon.

Thanks again!

-Todd

[SpectraPure]

Todd,

With a well you never know "what else may be down there". Usually nothing that would hurt a membrane, but some short-chain hydrocarbons (MTBE, etc. ) or pesticides that may make it through the membrane (2%) would be trapped by the carbon after the membrane. The carbon filter will probably last forever in this position.

City water always needs the carbon in front of the membrane.

Scott
SpectraPure, Inc.