Good RO filter that doesnt waste alot of water

[TheArchitect]

lol quite snippy..

Try to not read into my posts. I wasn't the guy you were initially interacting with.

I just asked you what you meant. Don't need to get all "let me repeat" on me.

And you may be right about the CaCO3 levels, but I do know my water is cleaner and lower ppm so the filter obviously cleaned out something. I don't know what negative effects high CaCO3 levels can have because my tap always comes out at 250-300ppms. (which apparently ec is not measuring CaCO3?)

So are you suggesting that the sediments in the water (that is being filtered by the sediment filter) isn't relevant to growing then?

no, what I'm saying is that alkalinity of the water, usually measured in CaCO3 is what usually messes with growers. And that is only remedied by reverse osmosis or acid injection.

And yes, unless your water was hurting your plants, then your filter just makes you feel better.

 

[St3ve]

Try to not read into my posts. I wasn't the guy you were initially interacting with.

Ah I see, you're right. Sorry 'bout that

And yes, unless your water was hurting your plants, then your filter just makes you feel better.

So what would be in the tap water, that WOULD hurt my plants, that the filter (tall boy, not RO) would assist in? Or are you saying that it does nothing for plant health at all?

 

[TheArchitect]

Pretty much does nothing.

Unless you had extreme amounts of contaminants that carbon could remove then its a waste in the sense replacement filters cost money. Carbon removes chlorine, some pesticides/herbicides, pharmaceutical drugs, and a host of VOC's, but if your running municipal tap it's probably fine for plants. You have to run carbon before a reverse osmosis membrane because chlorine degrades the membrane.

I'm not saying for a small grow it's any real expense, but it's kind of pointless.

I do love drinking filtered water though, but I use an ro system, and I add back potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate for taste.

 

[St3ve]

I see.. what about the sediment stage of the filter?

 

[TheArchitect]

The sediment filter, depending on pore size (ie 5 micron, 1 micron, .6 micron), will catch dirt, larger iron particles, and various other particulate.

It helps the carbon last longer by keeping it free of clogs.

 

[fungzyme]

I see.. what about the sediment stage of the filter?

Forgive me if you already know this, but
don't forget that the mineral content in your water is dissolved, so it's not 'sediment' and would pass through the sediment filter (which is just for particulate matter)

 

[SooperSmurph]

So we need to file a lawsuit against the company that produces the small and tall boys, because they advertise the removal of chloramines right on the box?

 

[TheArchitect]

Well, in reality, it sequesters the chlorine, and allows the ammonia through, so chloramines are removed by catalytic reduction, but depending on source water levels of chlorine/chloramines, flow rate, and filter size, you might not be removing it all.

Contact time is important when it comes to carbon filtration, particularly when it comes to chlorine/chloramines. VOCs are grabbed quickly though, as are most other chemicals.

 

[SooperSmurph]

Well, in reality, it sequesters the chlorine, and allows the ammonia through, so chloramines are removed by catalytic reduction, but depending on source water levels of chlorine/chloramines, flow rate, and filter size, you might not be removing it all.

Contact time is important when it comes to carbon filtration, particularly when it comes to chlorine/chloramines. VOCs are grabbed quickly though, as are most other chemicals.

Interesting, so reducing the flow rate through my tallboy will most likely result in better filtration?

 

[fungzyme]

So we need to file a lawsuit against the company that produces the small and tall boys, because they advertise the removal of chloramines right on the box?

Before you call your lawyer, you might want to visit their website -
it's pretty plainly spelled out that they have 2 versions. One with regular carbon filtration for chlorine, and one with an upgraded filter (a 'KDF filter') that removes chloramines. Maybe the one you got/looked at was that version (?)

http://www.hydrologicsystems.com/products/index.php?id=1&keywords=Hydroponics_and_Gardening_Systems

 

[TheArchitect]

Interesting, so reducing the flow rate through my tallboy will most likely result in better filtration?

If filtering the chlorine out is your goal, yes.

 

[SooperSmurph]

If filtering the chlorine out is your goal, yes.

Well the water in my area is actually notoriously good, many people use it out of the tap for their plants, the ONLY reason I was using filtration was for Chrlorine and Rust (from my building's pipes), so this is something I might consider.