Maggie’s Reverse osmosis system

[hermosabeach]

I'm looking at adding / buying a reverse osmosis system.

I found a GE and the reviews are good but it seems like the filters and membrane are way overpriced.

Do you have an RO system? Any brands or models I should look at and consider?

I have an everpure filter that is good but the Solids are still high and my ice maker is having issues


Any tips, tricks, links and feedback is appreciated

 

[P-Squared]

I've been using one from iSpring for probably 8 years or so. I've been happy so far. I change the membrane every couple of years and the filters about every 18 months. I have the RCC7AK-UV.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

We have a "Waterite Vectapure" system, that is 75g a day. Works great, and since we pay high rates for water here, we have the 'excess' fill the washing machine. Absolutely makes a difference, and with the polishing filter (cartridge?) on it, the water here is far better than the city supplies.

 

[P-Squared]

We have a "Waterite Vectapure" system, that is 75g a day. Works great, and since we pay high rates for water here, we have the 'excess' fill the washing machine. Absolutely makes a difference, and with the polishing filter (cartridge?) on it, the water here is far better than the city supplies.

Thank you for the idea.

 

[diverdon]

Ive been using a culligan for 15 years. Just for drinking and cooking, not whole house. I have well water going to a sediment filter, then a Sulphur clear, then a softener. So its pretty good water going to the RO.

I think the system will produce 3 to 5 gallons per day which seems plenty for a family of 4. The filters aren't cheap, but they're not so high I have to look for generic.

 

[hermosabeach]

A relative has their old RO plumbed out of the home to fill a decent sized above ground fish pond.

The pond is also used to water other plants.

They got one from costco that has long since been discontinued

 

[Mk16.5]

Shop your filters. There's a filter outfit in NC that's cheap. R O systems use about 3-5 gallons to flush the membrane for every gallon filtered.

 

[AllenOne1]

Add a permeate pump to the system and it will reduce the amount of brine water discharge by up to 80%.

Non-Electric Permeate Pump Kit With Tubing, add on to Non-Pump R.O. System

Upgrade your RO system with the Perm Pump Kit for enhanced performance and efficiency. Essential for reliable water filtration and optimizing operation.

www.apecwater.com

 

[Sean the Nailer]

I did not know of the existence of such things, and have one on order now:

Amazon.ca

Should be here next week, then we'll see a difference. As it is, My Lady says that she sees a definite difference in the laundry, simply by using the 'waste water' from the filter system. No matter what is 'in' the water, it still goes through 3 separate sediment/carbon filters and they remove a LOT of crap, just themselves.

This permeate pump should make a difference in our water bill, which incidentally has gone up 250%ish, over the past 20 years. And that was BEFORE hooking up the RO system this past Spring.

 

[TheHorta]

Just as a mild “warning”… RO systems should NOT be used for home drinking water UNLESS you also have a system that restores the missing key elements for drinking / consumption.

Believe it or not, 100% PURE water is actually BAD for human consumption — on a consistent basis. It’s fine occasionally, but as a routine water source, you need minerals and electrolytes in your water. RO strips these out entirely.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Just as a mild “warning”… RO systems should NOT be used for home drinking water UNLESS you also have a system that restores the missing key elements for drinking / consumption.

Believe it or not, 100% PURE water is actually BAD for human consumption — on a consistent basis. It’s fine occasionally, but as a routine water source, you need minerals and electrolytes in your water. RO strips these out entirely.

You're absolutely right, correct, and accurate. It is the addition of the "polishing cartridges" that makes all the difference. I originally got this system, as we were going to set up a salt-water reef aquarium. (more coral than fish) But alas, adulting seems to have gotten in the way of such plans, so-far.

DON'T drink pure water. It'll leech what you need, right out of you.

 

[P-Squared]

You're absolutely right, correct, and accurate. It is the addition of the "polishing cartridges" that makes all the difference. I originally got this system, as we were going to set up a salt-water reef aquarium. (more coral than fish) But alas, adulting seems to have gotten in the way of such plans, so-far.

DON'T drink pure water. It'll leech what you need, right out of you.

And your metallic plumbing, which leads to pin-holes.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

They use this for maple syrup up here... getting to 90 percent sugar content before final boil.

No idea how it works for water.

But I have a deep well and don't give a shit. My Purity of Essence and Precious Bodily Fluids are intact

Sirhr

 

[P-Squared]

They use this for maple syrup up here... getting to 90 percent sugar content before final boil.

No idea how it works for water.

But I have a deep well and don't give a shit. My Purity of Essence and Precious Bodily Fluids are intact

Sirhr

As well as your 'Manly Scent'

 

[sirhrmechanic]

^^^ I have been known to dab a bit of the 'ol syrup under my chin before a hot date.

Try it... It also attracts bees.

Sirhr

 

[KYAggie]

Just as a mild “warning”… RO systems should NOT be used for home drinking water UNLESS you also have a system that restores the missing key elements for drinking / consumption.

Believe it or not, 100% PURE water is actually BAD for human consumption — on a consistent basis. It’s fine occasionally, but as a routine water source, you need minerals and electrolytes in your water. RO strips these out entirely.

That’s exactly right. Years ago my parents had one installed and it was with in the first year or so my Dad had health issues that were caused by drinking the pure water all the time. We need minerals.

 

[cas6969]

They use this for maple syrup up here... getting to 90 percent sugar content before final boil.

No idea how it works for water.

Was thinking the same thing. lol Had a neighbor who switched to that system when the fuel oil prices got too high in the O-Bummer years. Thought I recalled him saying the replaceable filters were like $2k a piece of something (then). Big honking machines the units were.
Reverse osmosis... in reverse. Throw out the water, keep the "impurities".

 

[Marinevet1]

I worked with RO's, and pure water systems used in Pharma manufacturing for 20 + years......Since I have retired, I have also worked with the company that manufactured some of this equipment.............it is an amazing process, and produces a very pure water for pharm manufacturing, including injectables................but don't drink the water.

Home RO systems are somewhat different.................

 

[Mike Casselton]

Just as a mild “warning”… RO systems should NOT be used for home drinking water UNLESS you also have a system that restores the missing key elements for drinking / consumption.

Believe it or not, 100% PURE water is actually BAD for human consumption — on a consistent basis. It’s fine occasionally, but as a routine water source, you need minerals and electrolytes in your water. RO strips these out entirely.

Our Tampa Bay Water system dumps nearly 25 million gallons of RO (from sea water) water into the water supply system, every day of the week.
It might be more than that now. They were planning an expansion to 37m before I left.
The only treatment it gets post RO is an over abundance of lime.
That shows up in the plumbing, and on counter tops if the homeowner doesn't dry things off.

My daughter from Utah said the water tastes very different here, even after filtration.

I'll see if I can find the How it's made video

 

[Mike Casselton]

Found the video.
You'll see me in the video and the guy replacing the membrane is Eddie.

 

[Major Wader]

We have a Big Blue system with 1 particulate and 2 carbon filters.

Been very happy with it. Zero chlorine taste.

 

[Gemsbok]

(1) Don't ever believe the "water test results" from someone who is selling a treatment system. Test strips can be +/- 50% depending on how old they are. The scammy part is in the comparator that says "OMG!!!! You have 50 ppm(!!!) calcium hardness (CH)!!! 50 is a big scary number so we need to treat your water!!!!" (fyi...50 ppm CH is not big and should not be scary.)

(2) Different home water treatment systems are designed to treat different water quality issues. Get the right system for your specific problem. For example...

If you have very hard water then an RO system can help.​

If you're trying to get rid of "chlorine odor" then carbon filtration is what you need (per @Major Wader) (fwiw, chlorine odor is actually caused by chloramines which are produced by insufficient hypochlorite oxidizer).​

If your private well makes sand then all you really need is a particulate filter (paid for by the well driller/builder).​

Understanding these details is far easier than reloading or tuning an AR.

(3) Drinking water provides maybe 10% of required minerals. If you eat a lot then you probably get enough minerals from food. Milk has ~6x more CH than moderately hard water. (Warning: Cliff Clavin moment) RO water has about the same CH as 16-yr old single malt, but beer has about the same CH as naturally soft water. If you only treat cold water you can mix untreated hot with treated cold to easily 'add minerals back in.'

I have made my living around this stuff for 30+ years.

 

[mrtoyz]

If I remember correctly, the RO process, when used for drinking water, was used for taking salt water to drinking water. Out of curiosity. Is that why you guys are using the process?

On a similar note. I’ve always hated the taste of our tap water. Used Brita filter for a while. Water tasted better. Most recently fell victim to the micro plastics movement and switched to a Berkey filter, glass pitcher in the fridge and actual “glass” glasses. It’s a small thing but whatever.