RO Water Filter

[dmcmillen]

I currently have a large whole house water system that removes chlorine and other unwanted substances and leaves me with filtered city water that is Alk 98, Bicarb 119, SO4 9, Cl 4, Na 28, Ca 9, Mg 4 which is sometimes good starting water for a recipe. I have been using DI water from Walmart at .88/gal when I want to start with water with no minerals. I thought I would look at the option of producing my own ro water. Can someone recommend an RO filter that I can use to produce RO water from this water that is not prohibitively expensive.

And what kind of recovery rate should I expect. I read somewhere that residential ro systems only have around a 20% recovery rate. That would mean it would take about 25 gallons to produce 5 gallons of ro. Not very efficient, although I suppose I could use the discard.

Anyway, just looking at what my options are.

 

[ajdelange]

Yes, the under sink systems are set for very low recovery rates so that they can be used with pretty hard water. Your water is so soft that a system could run 95% recovery (were that possible) without clogging up. There are options for increasing recovery substantially above the 18 - 20% values provided by the big box store systems. It's a matter of a booster pump and outlet restrictor valve (unless you want recovery above 50%) in most cases. We've got a sponsor here, Buckeye Hydro, who can set you up.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

I've been using the SpectraPure® CSP 90 GPD RO System w/ Automatic Flush for years and can highly recommend it.

 

[dmcmillen]

We've got a sponsor here, Buckeye Hydro, who can set you up.

Thanks AJ. Talked to Russ over there and he's got me fixed up.

 

[DownHillonWater]

Thumbs up for Buckeye Hydro. I've had a very positive experience with them.

 

[mabrungard]

I've been using the SpectraPure® CSP 90 GPD RO System w/ Automatic Flush for years and can highly recommend it.

In areas that have water with high silicate content, the flushing feature can be valuable. I see that the seller is located in Tempe, AZ and desert areas are more prone to having high silicate waters. For most water supplies, the flushing feature is probably just a water-waster.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

In areas that have water with high silicate content, the flushing feature can be valuable. I see that the seller is located in Tempe, AZ and desert areas are more prone to having high silicate waters. For most water supplies, the flushing feature is probably just a water-waster.

“Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” All I know is after 4 years of use the TDS output is the same as it was when I hooked it up. I figured a it’s a small trade off for extending membrane replacement.

 

[ajdelange]

When I ordered my skid the vendor was all concerned about my silica which is 28 mg/L which is, as I understand it, pretty high in comparison to most of the US. Six (or is it 7?) years on now the system sails on with the same membrane cartridges.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

When I ordered my skid the vendor was all concerned about my silica which is 28 mg/L which is, as I understand it, pretty high in comparison to most of the US. Six (or is it 7?) years on now the system sails on with the same membrane cartridges.

Honestly 5 years ago I didn’t know what features I needed in an RO filter. My brother in law used his for several years and recommended which to buy. I knew the DI stage was bad for brewing water but perfect for his marine aquariums.

So I bought all the features but the DI and carbon polishing stages. Had I known then what I’ve leaned since Buckeye Hydro would have my order.