Autodrip Advice

[nzafi]

Ive had my autodrip running for just over a week. Took a look at the sediment filter and couldn't believe what it looked like. How long do you guys go before changing. I am currently using a 1 micron filter was thinking of either upping to 5 micron or maybe doing a 5 micron then 1 micron.

Or based on the pic is this really not that bad?

 

[monkeybike]

Mine looks just as terrible, but my flow rate is still fine. You can buy a huge pack of them cheap. I change them every few months.

 

[monkeybike]

Well, maybe worse. Anyhoo, still flowing well.

 

[nzafi]

monkeybike you get yours from Amazon? I'm worried that them clogging fast impacts the two other filters or is that not the case?

 

[monkeybike]

The flow seems good even with them that brownish, which seems to be worse during the summer. I change both carbons every 6 months, which might be overkill. I use the cto+ cartridges which are supposedly rated for 20k gallons according to the old filterguyz site.

 

[Drstrangelove]

Ive had my autodrip running for just over a week. Took a look at the sediment filter and couldn't believe what it looked like. How long do you guys go before changing. I am currently using a 1 micron filter was thinking of either upping to 5 micron or maybe doing a 5 micron then 1 micron.

Or based on the pic is this really not that bad?

So, I have no experience with an auto drip. Is this a filter of the water from the source (spigot/tap) before it enters the tank or is it filtering water at some other point in the process?

 

[nzafi]

Drstrangelove correct. From my tap I run to a sediment filter then two carbon filters before it enters the tank.

 

[fishguy306]

I'm using a 5 micron with mine, it seems to last forever on my system. That said I'm only flowing 48 gallons a day at the moment. I did put a pressure gauge after the sediment filter. Figure that way once the pressure starts dropping I'll know it is time to change it out.

Sediment filters are dirt cheap on Amazon, I think I got a 50 pack for $45, much cheaper than off BRS. So if it shows a sign of slowing down I just swap it out.

 

[monkeybike]

Mine may be dirtier because we had a water line break in my neighborhood that was recently repaired.

 

[Drstrangelove]

Drstrangelove correct. From my tap I run to a sediment filter then two carbon filters before it enters the tank.

Great. Thanks for the info. That really makes my day!

One micron is really small (well below human eyesight which is around 40 microns per particle), and is likely picking up all sorts of debris like dirt, cement or iron dust, paint or plastic flakes, etc. Some bacteria and viruses are that large, but I would think would be less likely be in chlorinated water.

https://www.h2odistributors.com/pages/info/diagram-particle-sizes.asp
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/particle-sizes-d_934.html


If you can filter that way, I think it's great. Absolutely better to clear it out before it hits the tank. And of course, once it starts to clog, it will filter below 1 micron.

Otoh, you might want to try something higher (like 5 micron as fishguy306 said) which should require fewer changes. I would think you would likely not see the difference in the water clarity, since both will polish beyond visible range, but it might be an option if you want increase change times.