Whole house water filter - RO?

[Plum]

Hey,

I had a major loss of fish recently due to water. It has been a hard thing to pin down, as the readings are not constant. The well water has varies, and concerning reading of Iron and Suphides (ates) quite unsure on the last item.

The problems never showed up with my Piranha's - though with the well only being installed in the last 16 months, unsure if it ever arose with the P's. I am keeping rays, and want to do so in the future, but quite hesitant to keep rare one's again as not only did the rays die, but the financial hit was large as well.

On top of the Softner that I have, I am thinking about getting one of these - http://www.aquasanastore.com/aq-whole-house.html

Should this be the way to go? or Reverse osmosis - or both?

Any guidance, advice is appreciated, as the water "experts" are quite unsure what to recommend when it comes to rays...

Plum

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Safest way is R/O. The whole house water filter sounds fishy, and carbon does not remove sulfates. Sulfides are inert unless you have a low pH, but then you'd know (smell). Thus, filtration is not an option.

Piranhas are quite hardy when it comes to water pollution, in contrast what people believe. Rays, however, are often quite sensitive.

Best of luck,

HarleyK

 

[RedDwarf]

Go with a nice R/O unit, it's much easier to add stuff to the water then to take it away and you can also get a faucet kit and have water to drink to. The R/O unit also has a carbon filter in it and you won't run the risk of phosphates being leached out from the coconut carbon.

 

[Oddball]

Just realize that R/O will cause up to 70% of your water to go to waste (depending on temp). I know of no R/O unit that wastes less than 1/2 of any source of inlet water.

 

[Plum]

Howdy,

Safest way is R/O. The whole house water filter sounds fishy, and carbon does not remove sulfates. Sulfides are inert unless you have a low pH, but then you'd know (smell). Thus, filtration is not an option.

Piranhas are quite hardy when it comes to water pollution, in contrast what people believe. Rays, however, are often quite sensitive.

Best of luck,

HarleyK

PH is quite high here - 8.2 about.

Yes, I have learned over the years that Piranha's were very tough.

Go with a nice R/O unit, it's much easier to add stuff to the water then to take it away and you can also get a faucet kit and have water to drink to. The R/O unit also has a carbon filter in it and you won't run the risk of phosphates being leached out from the coconut carbon.

For some reason I have heard of persons running 50% RO water, and 50% tap water... is this a good idea? Or am I best of to add 100% RO water, and add the necessary additives (any way to automize this ?)

I have about 4000 Gallons in my system.

Just realize that R/O will cause up to 70% of your water to go to waste (depending on temp). I know of no R/O unit that wastes less than 1/2 of any source of inlet water.

Oddball,

Thank you for your commentary - I am certain you know that I value it. Waste water is not too much of a concern as I am on a well, and the well is quite large (produced above 500GPH last test)

I have a Softner in the system (salt) unsure if this affects the rays in any shape or form.

 

[squint]

Just realize that R/O will cause up to 70% of your water to go to waste (depending on temp). I know of no R/O unit that wastes less than 1/2 of any source of inlet water.

Well, filtering water always requires energy due to entropy. You can use potential energy from tap water pumped up into storage tanks or gas/electricity to run a distiller, etc., but it always requires energy. If you want to reduce or eliminate "waste" water, you'll need alternative sources or energy.

One can always use the "waste" water to do laundry, water the lawn, flush toilets, drink, etc.