Well Water Filtration

[Ron]

Hello,

I was wondering what people thought of the type of filtration I need to put well water through before I can use it. Right now I run all of my water through a RO or a RO/DI filter. I replumbed one of my old systems to just go through 2 sediment stages and a carbon block. Will that be enough filtration to be useable? Is there a certain rate I should limit the filter to? Is there a specific minimum contact time my carbon block needs to absorb impurities?

Thanks,

Ron

[cainechow]

Aren't different RO systems rated for different flow rate ranges? It should be in the manual for your RO system.

[Ron]

Aren't different RO systems rated for different flow rate ranges? It should be in the manual for your RO system.

Yes they are, they are limited by the RO membrane. I am not running it through a RO membrane just sediment filters and a carbon block. The sediment filters shouldn't be affected by the flow rate as they are strictly a mechanical filter but the carbon block absorbs impurities as well as filters mechanically. I did a little research and the slower, the better. I did some tests last night and I won't be able to use it anyways as my water filter water has a GH reading of 0° and a KH of 16°. I wasn't planning on using it with my shrimp but the final water parameters aren't what I would like them to be.

Ron

[Znaika]

The biggest difference will, of course be hardness. After RO the water is very soft - less than 1° dH; carbon filter will not affect hardness and the water will probably be in the 12-25° dH range. Another difference will be much higher alkalinity and buffering capacity. The pH will probably rise to above 8°. There is also a small chance that the well water has some nitrates, if it drains through fertilized fields or organically polluted areas.

In other words, RO and carbon filters are the same only in name. Hard and alkaline well water might be good for some fishes and not so good for others, but regardless, If your fishes have been living in RO water so far, the change will be a huge blast for them, especially for soft water species. Break them in slowly.