RO systems

[klongo]

I was browsing a site tonight and ran across an RO system - I had freshwater for years and my water was always perfect coming out of my water filter and now I think I know why - it's an RO system! Maybe not but it sure looks identical to what the websites are selling- same cartridges and setup. Could there be any difference?

 

[birdy]

Probably are the same.
How many stages are in your unit, and how often do you change the filters?
I would recommend you get a TDS meter, this will let you know when you need to change your filters.
You also may want to consider adding a DI unit that can be turned on and off (you don't really want to drink DI filtered water). It will make your water quality that much better.

 

[klongo]

It's a four stage filter. We change it whenever it slows down to less than a gallon in a minute - approximately every 4 months or so.
Can I use the TDS strips for my spa? Are they sensitive enough - I guess what I need to know is how much TDS am I looking for to be bad?

 

[skirrby]

does anyone know why you dont want to drink di filtered water?

 

[barry cuda]

For the same reason you don't want to drink distilled water - it's so pure that osmosis will actually suck beneficial substances out of your tissues ... it's like reverse nutrition.
Of course, I just be talking out of my a$$ again ...

 

[808smokey]

Originally posted by skirrby
does anyone know why you dont want to drink di filtered water?
Because there's nothing in it. There's no nutrients If you can remove all the Ions it won't conduct eletricity in theory at least. Deionized water is an unusual pure form of water. Water actually is a very aggressive solvent. In our normal contact with water, it already has a lot of things dissolved in it, and is pretty tame. Deionized water is so aggressive that it will begin to attack metal, plastic, or even stainless steel. It will dissolve carbon dioxide in the air. If someone was to drink deionized water, it would have the opposite effect of a vitamin, drawing out the minerals and vitamins in your body.

 

[birdy]

I have never heard of TDS strips,
I have a meter, it was cheap like $23.00. you want your TDS to measure 0ppm, most people change the filters when it reaches 5ppm.
The other reason I wouldn't drink the DI water is that the DI catridges are expensive and get expired fairly quickly. So I would get a DI that you can attach and just use when you need water for your aquarium.