Looking for product that can filter my tap water instead of using an RO water system

[Buckeye Hydro]

I have a hybrid home water softener and filtration system. It’s basically the first two stages of a rodi. Sediment filter and then a carbon filter that’s larger than a scuba tank. I have this plumbed into my homes incoming water supply so all water in my house runs through it. I now use tap water for all my tanks. It backwashes itself every 2-3 days and they claim the filter never needs to be replaced.

Ecopure EPHS

The GAC absolutely needs to be replaced - typical is about 5 yrs.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

I don't see how a large carbon filter would never need to be changed; you can't clean the carbon of contaminates.

Typically they have a backwashing valve on them - but over time the GAC grinds itself to dust and it loses effectiveness.

 

[cdnco2004]

The other way to purify water is with a distiller.

The cost effectivness is no where near what RODI is.

One of the channels I follow was visiting Germany and they were using large containers of DI resin and just pushing tap water through it.

Thats just the second half of RO/DI

The end is near.. that's how a Walmart.com link, to a home distilling kit, comes through

Not nearly cost effective takes a lot longer to make the same amount of water as RODI.

 

[VintageReefer]

The GAC absolutely needs to be replaced - typical is about 5 yrs.

I agree completely. They claim the carbon tank lasts a lifetime and I explained I am very familiar with carbon and while the volume may be large, it has a lifespan and they told me it doesn’t need to be replaced. I asked them if the carbon tank is a serviceable and replaceable part, which they confirmed it is. So I plan to ignore them and replace every 3 yrs approx as I have life depending on this system and do not want to take risks.

 

[PlumbTuckered]

Hello I was wondering if there was any product that I could use to sort of filter the tap water or remove any unwanted elements such as zinc, iodine and others instead of buying an RO water system. It would be very helpful. Have a great day !

I wonder how a Britta would work?

 

[cdnco2004]

Brita filters would cost MORE than RODI filters do. People trying to find ways to do it on the cheap and its going to cost more than an inexpensive RODI filter setup.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

I have a hybrid home water softener and filtration system. It’s basically the first two stages of a rodi.

Though it is stage #3 and #4 that do virtually all the work in an RODI. Stage #1 just takes out particulates which simply extends membrane lifespan, and stage #2 removes chlorine/chloramine (and is not necessary if not using municipal source water).

 

[cdnco2004]

I think you have that wrong. Municiple water generally has chlorine/chloramine added to the water supply where a well does not.

Water Disinfection with Chlorine and Chloramine | Public Water Systems | Drinking Water | Healthy Water | CDC

Education and information about water treatment, community water treatment, water systems, public drinking water, safe drinking water, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, community water fluoridation, fluoridation, consumer confidence reports, CCR, household water...

www.cdc.gov

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I think you have that wrong. Municiple water generally has chlorine/chloramine added to the water supply where a well does not.

Water Disinfection with Chlorine and Chloramine | Public Water Systems | Drinking Water | Healthy Water | CDC

Education and information about water treatment, community water treatment, water systems, public drinking water, safe drinking water, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, community water fluoridation, fluoridation, consumer confidence reports, CCR, household water...

www.cdc.gov

and is not necessary if not using municipal source water

 

[PlumbTuckered]

Brita filters would cost MORE than RODI filters do. People trying to find ways to do it on the cheap and its going to cost more than an inexpensive RODI filter setup.

Just the same, I wonder how a tank would do with Britta-filtered water.

 

[cdnco2004]

@EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal Yeah I read it wrong. Thanks

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Just the same, I wonder how a tank would do with Britta-filtered water.

R2R has been there, done that...


Thread 'my boiled tap water has no chlorine so…??' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-boiled-tap-water-has-no-chlorine-so….1053573/

 

[VintageReefer]

Though it is stage #3 and #4 that do virtually all the work in an RODI. Stage #1 just takes out particulates which simply extends membrane lifespan, and stage #2 removes chlorine/chloramine (and is not necessary if not using municipal source water).

I will start by saying I am not disagreeing with you.

Stage 1 for sediment prevents larger materials from passing through. I periodically inspect this and clean it manually

Stage 2 is a giant carbon media tank. While a primary focus is chlorine and chloramine, we all know carbon is a excellent source of filtration and it absorbs much more than just chlorine. My filter is NSF certified to absorb lead, iron, magnesium, iron, and other things. And carbon is excellent at absorbing other impurities as well.

I understand Rodi is a higher level of filtration but I feel this is good enough for my usage, and I have been using the unit for 2 years and have had no issues. I have had my water tested and nothing stood out as harmful. Just a little on the hard side and after the unit was installed my water tests zero to near zero hardness

Some people use tap water. Some use ocean water. Some use rodi. I am essentially using first two stages of rodi with good results, and I have zero waste water, and produce it instantly from any faucet in my house so for me, I’m happy with the unit and results

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Just the same, I wonder how a tank would do with Britta-filtered water.

Depends on the water entering it.

 

[Opus]

I am not aware of anything. Before RO systems were readily and cheaply available to the general public, I used to have to go to a LFS with multiple buckets, and by RO water by the gallon. It truly is best for a reef aquarium. There is just too much wrong with tap water that can not easily be filtered out. RO systems are not that expensive now, and incredibly easy to install. Do you mind if I ask you don't want to get one.

When did you have to go to the LFS for your RO water? My RO unit is over 25 years old. I paid around $200 for it back then.

 

[GARRIGA]

Ultrafiltration will remove down to 0.025 microns which includes pesticides but will still need DI for metals. If RO not an option then that’s how I’d go. Perhaps a combination of this with CupriSorb before the DI to make the DI last longer.

 

[Malcontent]

My vote is for harvesting comets.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

When did you have to go to the LFS for your RO water? My RO unit is over 25 years old. I paid around $200 for it back then.

Well 18 years ago, the last time I had a tank, I at least didn’t know about an RO system, and I rented, so could not have installed one. But a LFS sold it for like .25 cents a gallon

 

[AtlantiCat]

A Zero Water filter pitcher will do the job in a pinch. It produces water that comes out with 0 TDS and a pH of about 6.6.

I used one on a tiny 1G nano tank for awhile with no issues, but I wouldn't use it for anything much larger. It's just cheaper and easier to get an RODI system.