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Unread 12/03/2017, 09:00 PM   #1
Indiana Reefin
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What Ro/di system for well water

I have a well and I am tired of buying distilled. What filters shoul I look at?
This is what I'm thinking.
Stage 1: 5 micron sediment
Stage 2: 1 micron sediment
Stage 3: 5 carbon block
Stage 4: 75gpd membrane
Stage 5: silica blaster resin
Stage 6: di resin


Todd is right around 180-200

Do I need the silica blaster?


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Unread 12/04/2017, 12:35 AM   #2
outy
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Quote:
Do I need the silica blaster?
You might. No way we could know.

Quote:
What filters should I look at?
a 5 micron sediment filter, and 2 carbon blocks.

make sure you get a good 98% rejection rate membrane

Depending on pressure, you may need a booster pump.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 12:54 AM   #3
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Oh ya, dont be fooled with that title of silicabuster, its the expensive version of nuclear grade resin which can be found for the same price as regular resin.

Its a mix of cation resin and anion at a nuclear grade.



Last edited by outy; 12/04/2017 at 01:42 AM.
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Unread 12/04/2017, 04:38 AM   #4
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On my private well, I use 5M sediment, 1M carbon, 1M sediment followed by a 100GPD membrane and 2 DI canisters.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 05:33 AM   #5
Indiana Reefin
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Thanks all!
Why would inbred two carbon blocks for a well? I don put chlorine in my system. I figured there would be larger particles in my water so 2 sediment filters would do the trick.
Is a Dow membrane good enough?


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Unread 12/04/2017, 06:52 AM   #6
Nick30G
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I am on well water as well and have a Bulk Reef Supply 4 stage unit with a booster pump. I Would recommend all 1 micron filters with a high efficiency membrane with a high rejection (at least 97%). I get 2-4 TDS going into my DI resin. I would also recommend a booster pump to increase your GPH and the efficiency of the membrane.

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Unread 12/04/2017, 07:48 AM   #7
Indiana Reefin
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Originally Posted by Nick30G View Post
I am on well water as well and have a Bulk Reef Supply 4 stage unit with a booster pump. I Would recommend all 1 micron filters with a high efficiency membrane with a high rejection (at least 97%). I get 2-4 TDS going into my DI resin. I would also recommend a booster pump to increase your GPH and the efficiency of the membrane.

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Thanks for your reply!
Are all your pre-filters sediment?
Or is at least one a carbon block?
I will have my unit hooked up after my water softener. I have iron removing salt


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Unread 12/04/2017, 08:19 AM   #8
Nick30G
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It starts with a 1 micron sediment filter, then 1 micron carbon, then RO membrane then DI resin.

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Unread 12/04/2017, 09:01 AM   #9
Indiana Reefin
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Should I do two stages of DI resin?


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Unread 12/04/2017, 10:32 AM   #10
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There is no need for a booster pump on a well as you can adjust the water pressure at the well pump via a simple turn of a screw.. (same for most homes too that aren't on a well.. you can just adjust your pressure regulator)

But you should see what it is and shoot for around 60PSI for optimal efficiency..
Too low and RO membrane performance decreases..


Are you using some spell checker too?
Who is "Todd" and you are from Indiana.. why "Inbred" ?


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Unread 12/04/2017, 10:48 AM   #11
ktownhero
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Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin View Post
Should I do two stages of DI resin?
Here's the cool thing with these filters... they can be changed easily. Your worst case scenario is you just burn through DI resin a bit faster until you make an adjustment. If you find an extra sediment doesn't help, swap it out for a carbon, etc. I would recommend getting at least a double inline TDS meter if you are going to want to analyze this stuff. At a minimum, you want one sensor after your RO membrane and one after your DI resin. I like using the triple meter so I can add one after my prefilters too (before the DI resin).


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Unread 12/04/2017, 10:59 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin View Post
Why would inbred two carbon blocks for a well?
Because well water is a complete wild card as to what is in it and to what level. All the water is different depending on geology.

There is no reason for two sediment filters, one will remove the required debris for use in membrane.

2 carbon blocks means you do not have to change out the one carbon block as fast.

There is rarely a need for two sediment filters, no reason at all.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 11:02 AM   #13
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Should I do two stages of DI resin?
If you do use two you use two for a mixed bed. Do not separate the anion and cation. Just use two chambers so your resin last longer.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 11:04 AM   #14
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Is a Dow membrane good enough?
They make many types, its why I said to look for a 98% rejection rate. I do not believe they are all the same.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 11:06 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by mcgyvr View Post
There is no need for a booster pump on a well as you can adjust the water pressure at the well pump via a simple turn of a screw.. (same for most homes too that aren't on a well.. you can just adjust your pressure regulator)

But you should see what it is and shoot for around 60PSI for optimal efficiency..
Too low and RO membrane performance decreases..

Agreed. I like the booster for increased production using 2 membranes [water saver]


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Unread 12/04/2017, 11:10 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin View Post
I figured there would be larger particles in my water
sediment filters are for large debris, it does not lower the TDS to the membrane. The main reason we use sediment filters is to protect membrane, that all.

If you use a single 1 micron, you just stopped anything larger from getting to membrane. putting another inline does nothing at all except waste money.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 12:02 PM   #17
Indiana Reefin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyvr View Post
There is no need for a booster pump on a well as you can adjust the water pressure at the well pump via a simple turn of a screw.. (same for most homes too that aren't on a well.. you can just adjust your pressure regulator)

But you should see what it is and shoot for around 60PSI for optimal efficiency..
Too low and RO membrane performance decreases..


Are you using some spell checker too?
Who is "Todd" and you are from Indiana.. why "Inbred" ?
Hahah I meant TDS


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Unread 12/04/2017, 12:23 PM   #18
Indiana Reefin
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Originally Posted by outy View Post
sediment filters are for large debris, it does not lower the TDS to the membrane. The main reason we use sediment filters is to protect membrane, that all.

If you use a single 1 micron, you just stopped anything larger from getting to membrane. putting another inline does nothing at all except waste money.
I understand that sediment filters don’t remove tds just larger particles. I will also have this setup after my house filter.
If I go with two carbon blocks, what types should I go with? This will be a 6 stage setup


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Unread 12/04/2017, 03:17 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin View Post
I understand that sediment filters don’t remove tds just larger particles. I will also have this setup after my house filter.
If I go with two carbon blocks, what types should I go with? This will be a 6 stage setup
I use what ever they have at the plumbing store. The micron is not that important for carbon, I usually get 5 I believe.


On a side note, make sure your DI cartridge goes up and down not across when mounting it all up

I just mounted my whole system to a piece of wood today, it makes working on and around it much easier.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 05:57 PM   #20
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If you use a single 1 micron, you just stopped anything larger from getting to membrane. Putting another inline does nothing at all except waste money.
On a side note here, You can use 2 sediment filters. If you use a 5 micron then a 1 micron, your 1 micron will not clog up as fast. Still will be about the same cost as 1 filter but maybe not having to replace as often if using 2. This is my experience. Your results may vary.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 07:45 PM   #21
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On a side note here, You can use 2 sediment filters. If you use a 5 micron then a 1 micron, your 1 micron will not clog up as fast. Still will be about the same cost as 1 filter but maybe not having to replace as often if using 2. This is my experience. Your results may vary.
And if you did not use the 1 micron you would save money as the 1 micron is not needed in any capacity.

You could run 10 but its a waste of time and money.

better to put the housing to use with carbon that actually effects the water quality.

The second sediment filter does absolutely nothing.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 08:51 PM   #22
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On a well, the one thing that would concern me is Co2 which is quite common in well water and shortens the life of cartridges. I am looking to move to Montana and will be on a well. One of the first thing I will be setting up is a large cistern with good aeration to remove excess Co2. That is where my RODI will draw from.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 09:26 PM   #23
Indiana Reefin
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On a well, the one thing that would concern me is Co2 which is quite common in well water and shortens the life of cartridges. I am looking to move to Montana and will be on a well. One of the first thing I will be setting up is a large cistern with good aeration to remove excess Co2. That is where my RODI will draw from.
What is a cistern?
I am worried about C02 as well.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 09:37 PM   #24
outy
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What is a cistern?
I am worried about C02 as well.
A storage tank open to air so it can off gas.


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Unread 12/04/2017, 10:01 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by Indiana Reefin View Post
What is a cistern?
I am worried about C02 as well.
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Originally Posted by outy View Post
A storage tank open to air so it can off gas.
What outy said.

It’s a big water storage tank. I wouldn’t necessarily leave it open to air. Instead, I would likely try to use a big air pump to like a Luft pump to pump air into a big air stone in the cistern. I’d use a vented lid on it so air can escape but leave leave the water exposed to the elements. The idea is that the gas exchange or introduction of fresh air/oxygen into the water “off gasses” the Co2 in the water. Because of the cold weather in Montana, I’d probably place the cistern in the ground with a shed or something over the top of it so freezing wasn’t a concern. I’d likely also make that the main water source for the house too so the water was constantly being replenished and if a well pump failed, I would still have plenty of fresh water on hand for the for the tank and the house. The plan would be to use something in the neighborhood of 1000 gallons for the cistern. This will be in addition to my 100 gallon mixing tank and 100 gallon RODI tank.


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