Need help with VERY hard water

[blueraz]

using the stealth 100

probly gonna go this route

booster pump->tall boy->stealth 200->uv sterilization

using the kdf filter

whatever the ppm is after that im just going to deal with it, not looking to get to zero, just want a system that is more efficient and is consistent

unless someone else has a specific recommendation of an all in one system, the reason im going with hydrologic brand is mainly because i can get filters/parts from my local shop

 

[seaslug]

"We have a water softener but that doesn't really help much (i realize it wont decrease ppms)."

You probably know this, but for the sake of others, water softeners add sodium. Don't use this water on your plants. So I've read, anyway.

 

[Theoneandonly Z]

unless someone else has a specific recommendation of an all in one system, the reason im going with hydrologic brand is mainly because i can get filters/parts from my local shop

hydrologic is solid and plus its always good to rep ur local spot. That and say if something happens, exchange or replacement parts are a bit easier to aquire.

 

[woodsmaneh]

"We have a water softener but that doesn't really help much (i realize it wont decrease ppms)."

You probably know this, but for the sake of others, water softeners add sodium. Don't use this water on your plants. So I've read, anyway.

Any water you use should bypass your softer, but they don't put salt in the water the salt is used to back-flush the resin beads in the inside tank. This flush water goes into the drain after cleaning the resin. So no salt in the water, salt in the water would cause health problems with many people especially older with high blood pressure.

 

[Seamaiden]

even with new membrane and filters (the KDF) i was still getting 190 ppm, so maybe pressure is the problem?

after this discussion im thinking of replacing the unit and adding a booster - i get anywhere from 35-50 psi right now)

I think that's it right there, your water pressure has to be within proper operating range. Sounds like you're on the right track now. Please do follow up and let folks know if putting the booster pump before the unit increases efficacy, and to what point, k?

 

[seaslug]

Thanks for explaining that, woodsmaneh. I've always lived with soft water; I know I read that sodium thing on a grow forum but it never quite made sense to me.

 

[sixstring]

My well water ain't as bad but it's @575 to 600 ppm coming into the house.goes through the softener and comes out 350 to.400ppm.then it goes through my 4 stage r/o and comes out 10 to 15ppm.it sounds like the stealth does not do as good a job as my 170.00 system.i been looking at a booster pump like that one posted just to make water faster.this is what I'm running.but it sounds like you could also use a better softener because it should be cleaning the water some.mine has a pre filter to grab any large sediment first also.good luck.

 

[PButter]

damn, what a hard problem... I'm having a time trying to imagine what is going on. Sounds like you were still @190ppm with new membranes? I would scrap that ro system you have go get a new/improved model and if same results return it. I would expect no more than .1EC after using an RO. Mine pushes out 0 ppm. I had thought that RO's would just waste more water to get down to 0. In fact, not trying to point out obvious but, you sure you are using the correct water line out? Not waste water? Of course you are...

 

[blueraz]

I think that's it right there, your water pressure has to be within proper operating range. Sounds like you're on the right track now. Please do follow up and let folks know if putting the booster pump before the unit increases efficacy, and to what point, k?

I will definitely follow up. Still deciding on if I should go with the Hydrologic setup or SpectraPure - anyone else use this brand??

thanks for the help

 

[blueraz]

damn, what a hard problem... I'm having a time trying to imagine what is going on. Sounds like you were still @190ppm with new membranes? I would scrap that ro system you have go get a new/improved model and if same results return it. I would expect no more than .1EC after using an RO. Mine pushes out 0 ppm. I had thought that RO's would just waste more water to get down to 0. In fact, not trying to point out obvious but, you sure you are using the correct water line out? Not waste water? Of course you are...

believe me i've gone crazy by questioning pretty much everything about this setup including if im using the right water line out.

 

[blueraz]

My well water ain't as bad but it's @575 to 600 ppm coming into the house.goes through the softener and comes out 350 to.400ppm.then it goes through my 4 stage r/o and comes out 10 to 15ppm.it sounds like the stealth does not do as good a job as my 170.00 system.i been looking at a booster pump like that one posted just to make water faster.this is what I'm running.but it sounds like you could also use a better softener because it should be cleaning the water some.mine has a pre filter to grab any large sediment first also.good luck.
View attachment 370205 View attachment 370206

what psi are you running this setup at now?

 

[Seamaiden]

I will definitely follow up. Still deciding on if I should go with the Hydrologic setup or SpectraPure - anyone else use this brand??

thanks for the help

I went cheap, Pure Water Club Chinese RO/DI. Works well enough for my needs. I think the biggest reason to concern yourself with brand would be output, but right now I think you need to get the thing operating properly first. Put a booster on what you have now and see how it performs, because IIRC all brands require a minimum operating pressure of around 70psi, as woodsmaneh mentioned.

My water pressure out of the well head is 75psi. But I added a permeate pump in order to increase efficacy, specifically to hopefully reduce waste.

 

[sixstring]

Yeah my house psi is about 45 psi and i have 2 r/o systems.the house system puts out 5 to 8 ppm and my flower shop is on a long line underground maybe 200 feet of 1 inch pex waterline.that system is probably around 20psi by the time it gets to the r/o.i know i need a booster pump but i can't bitch with how clean the water is and it puts out at least 50 gallons a day for me.

 

[Seamaiden]

So it still works fine for you at that pressure? Well... maybe something else is going on with blueraz's filtration rig after all.