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If anyone has any questions about water quality improvement - I can help.

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Rex Kramer, Jan 12, 2020.

  1. Jul 16, 2020 at 2:40 PM
    #151
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    I always recommend 50 lb. blocks, but pellets will work fine as long as you never have more than two bags in the salt container at any time.IMG_7015.jpg
     
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  2. Sep 10, 2020 at 7:45 AM
    #152
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    Yesterday's installation of a Calcite filter and softener, the severely acidic well water had destroyed the homeowners tank-less water heater in less than 3 years... this system will protect the new tank-less heater that was installed last week.

    IMG_0466.jpg

    That's not my hand print.
     
  3. Sep 29, 2020 at 5:02 PM
    #153
    Medic343

    Medic343 5+4+3=2

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    The wife and I just purchased a new (to us) home and it has a water softener already installed. I've never had a problem with the hardness of the water here, but then again I have never lived anywhere else. Since it's in the new home and in working order I may as well use it....

    I just don't know what the hell to do with it. Just fill it with salt pellets when it is empty? Are there certain settings I need to figure out, regular maintenance I need to perform, etc. Any help would be appreciated!

    IMG_20200928_180904467_HDR.jpg
     
  4. Sep 29, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #154
    palehorse

    palehorse @grey_ghost_trdpro

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    Hey @Rex Kramer We have great drinking water where I live, but I am researching deionizers for the final rinse on my cars and boat. Our TDS is around 250ppm out of the spigot. Seems most systems get that down to under 10ppm so that when your car dries, it leaves no water marks.

    Does this work in practice and what brands would you recommend? I've been looking at this one, as well as a couple others from this company.

    https://crspotless.com/product/diw-20-high-output-wall-mounted-system/
     
  5. Sep 29, 2020 at 7:21 PM
    #155
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    Morton or Diamond Crystal salt pellets, I advise allowing it to run out of salt before adding no more than 2 - 40 lb. bags of pellets. Those softeners are fairly easy for DIY's to service & repair.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2020
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  6. Sep 29, 2020 at 7:28 PM
    #156
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    I would look at a kit that uses a tall resin tank... you can build your own.

    https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/portable+water+deionizer.do
     
  7. Nov 1, 2020 at 5:19 AM
    #157
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    Halloween installation of a problem water chemical injection, retention and double filtration system. The customer finished assembling the enclosure after my work was done.

    IMG_8038.jpg IMG_8039.jpg
     
  8. Nov 2, 2020 at 5:42 PM
    #158
    SOB

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    Looking for advice on drinking water...

    A little background - We moved into our newly built home just over 2 weeks ago. Well water hardness is over 100 and TDS over 1000. Almost no Iron but over 7ppm sulfur. Had treatment system installed w EcoWater products. Sulfur is non-existent after a peroxide injection and carbon filter.

    Now on to the question - Initially the softened water was very salty and leaving salt residue in sink. Added a second backwash to softener and the saltyness has settled down but the water is still a little too salty for us to drink. Looking into RO for fridge and dispenser at sink but worried about capacity as well as our TDS and membrane longevity. Do you have any thoughts on the tankless RO systems? How long should membranes last with our water quality? Should I just buy bottled water?
     
  9. Nov 2, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #159
    zlaneb

    zlaneb New Member

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    I need a water system. I'm on a private water supply that uses a mixture of well and river water. They have a plant in the neighborhood, and are using some type of chlorine alternative that was outlawed in the EU.
    What can I do to get a water sytem retrofitted into my home? I don't want 'softened' water on my yard/garden but I don't have a separate loop for outside faucets. Also, I don't want to dump the water used to 'rinse' they system into my septic tank. What options do I have to 1) remove the 'fake chlorine', soften the water, and not dump it in my septic??
     
  10. Nov 2, 2020 at 6:19 PM
    #160
    SOB

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    I work in municipal water treatment and have never heard of ‘fake chlorine’. I’m curious what they’re using - do you have any details? Usually municipal water treatment has sodium hypochlorite or chlorine gas injected.

    A water softener doesn’t have to be backwashed into the septic system. Mine drains into a floor drain that ties into the basement foundation drains and goes to the drain tile (along with gutters/rain drainage and runoff). Not sure how common that is in Texas. Do you have a sump pump or other drainage?
     
  11. Nov 3, 2020 at 7:40 AM
    #161
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

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    Not strictly water quality improvement, but I figured I'd ask here anyways. Have had our water heater for about 5 years now or so. It's one of those that determines usage and heats during high usage periods. Anyways, wife was out of town for 2 weeks, so the water's not quite as warm due to that (I think).

    However, we do have high calcium/lime in our water, and since it's decently warm this week, probably a good time to drain the water heater, replace the elements/gaskets, and clean out the tank.

    My question: I know I need an element for a 240V, 5500W Whirlpool heater; and I see that the LW/ULW (low watt/ultra low watt) elements are best. Got any recommendations on where to buy, and which kind are best quality? If not, no worries.
     
  12. Nov 3, 2020 at 8:01 AM
    #162
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    WOW! Bottled water for now, and spend some time asking around to see how your neighbors solve problem. There are commercial grade whole house RO systems, but I don't know the initial cost or what is involved maintaining them.
     
  13. Nov 3, 2020 at 8:06 AM
    #163
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    I have never heard of the "fake chlorine" they are using, have them tell you exactly what they are using before deciding on a system. Softener backwash can dump on the ground, but some vegetation will be challenged... a 'french drain' is another possibility.
     
  14. Nov 3, 2020 at 8:08 AM
    #164
    Rex Kramer

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    I would stick with what the manufacturer recommends... whatever makes the water Hot not just warm.
     
  15. Nov 3, 2020 at 8:11 AM
    #165
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

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    Well, mfgr just recommends 240V 5500W element. LOL Plumbers and others online recommend ULW for hard water (which I have), so I suppose I'm on the right track....just need to figure out most reliable now. :)
     
  16. Nov 3, 2020 at 9:17 AM
    #166
    freds4

    freds4 New Member

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    Interesting thread. I grew up in the country with a well and always though it ridiculous that people actually PAID for water. Enlisted in the Marine Corps and lived in many, many places and upon my retirement, moved back to the country. Much to my shock, I am on "city water" even out here 7 miles form the nearest small town. After receiving a few mandatory notices of my water exceeding certain standards, I now get 100% of my drinking water from a local spring. I can fit 35, 1-gallon jugs on the floor of my Tundra after folding up the rear seats. :thumbsup:
     
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  17. Nov 3, 2020 at 10:49 AM
    #167
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    You and your home perform better with clean water, change your filters per manufacturers recommendations as you would with your truck, your HVAC system and countless other systems you maintain

    Municipal / "city water" is necessary for life and economic growth, because it brings in a sales revenue plus a tax revenue it is a utility that can be shut off by 'officials'... municipal water must meet certain relatively low standards.

    If your individual standards are higher than the 'official' standard, then it is up to you to spend money on household upgrades. Choose from point of entry equipment that address known aesthetic issues and point of use systems that filter out a long list of contaminants from the water you drink, cook and make ice with. The municipal water you pay for monthly can be cleaner and easily made more pure, the same holds true for well water and other sources.

    Use a filter, or be a filter.
     
  18. Nov 3, 2020 at 12:14 PM
    #168
    Jtundra81

    Jtundra81 Just a member

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    Hey Rex , I have well water and having issue with iron staining my toilets. I installed this kinetico system and it seems to be doing ok except that sometimes I still get the discoloration on water and it shows up clear when I fill the tub for my kids . Do you think this system is sufficient to remove iron ? Thank you

    1F38E5DF-AD73-401D-BBD0-0C2C24C66814.jpg
     
  19. Nov 3, 2020 at 1:22 PM
    #169
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    What is inside those kinetico tanks?
     
  20. Nov 3, 2020 at 5:39 PM
    #170
    zlaneb

    zlaneb New Member

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    Thanks for the response. I will pull the 'required notification' for the water company
    They are using Chloramine. It is my understanding the use of Chloramine in drinking water is banned in many nations because of the risk associated with cancer. That said, i have lived in my house 18 years, and outside of showering and cooking, i have consumed less than a total of 1 gallon of water. We are strictly a bottled water family (although there are a lot of arguments about bottled water). I need a water softener and drinking water.
     
  21. Nov 4, 2020 at 4:20 AM
    #171
    SOB

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    Yeah, we too were surprised with how “bad” the well water is. Especially for a 120’ deep well. Typical water in our area is good. Neighbors (closest is ~1/2mi away) have 50-60’ deep wells and their water isn’t as bad. Being next to a large river may play a factor, I’m told.
     
  22. Nov 4, 2020 at 4:53 AM
    #172
    Mountun Goat

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    @Rex Kramer wow! I’m so stoked on this thread- thanks!
    We just moved onto an acreage with a well and I have no clue what I’m doing :)

    I’m going to grab some pictures of my system tonight and ask away.

    :fistbump:
     
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  23. Nov 4, 2020 at 5:12 AM
    #173
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

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    "Unfortunately, chloramine is more difficult to remove than plain free chlorine: it reacts only weakly and slowly with activated carbon, just like it does with everything else. That means that the water must stay in contact with the carbon much longer than if free chlorine alone was present. Many filters do not have enough carbon for the long contact time required to achieve removal. Only products with significant capacity will give satisfactory performance."

    I would use a large distiller with a solid carbon block post filter to make drinking & cooking water.
    Dol-fyn ARS2000 distiller and the Multi-Pure MP750
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2020
  24. Nov 4, 2020 at 6:19 PM
    #174
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat She baaaaaahd

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    :hattip:Hi @Rex Kramer

    Here is my system. We have really nice well water on our property. The back of our toilet tanks are nice a clean so not much iron. I don’t have any issues with the water currently. I am clueless on what/how I should be for preventative maintenance on my newly acquired system. This is what the previous owner left me as well. Any help is muchly appreciated, thank you :hattip:

    E38D44A2-1A00-4A9A-912E-E2890D6EF53D.jpg
    0CD8433E-6014-43AB-B8B6-55C7EFAD891D.jpg
    089CB04C-2EFA-4CD5-9EE9-258CFB25D75C.jpg
    CDB557B9-7176-4DC3-AFCE-8C73FE5461A2.jpg
     
  25. Nov 4, 2020 at 6:45 PM
    #175
    Rex Kramer

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    The clear filter is a spin down type that can capture and flush out sediment, it can be cleaned. The larger filter is also for dirt / sediment, it uses a cartridge than can be washed or replaced. What's up with the spa tabs?
     
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  26. Nov 4, 2020 at 8:03 PM
    #176
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat She baaaaaahd

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    Thanks! I’m not sure about the spa tabs? They were just in the mechanical room when we got the place- I was assuming something with the water system. Shows how much I know haha. So nothing crazy on my system then? Just rinse the filters out once in a while- that’s easily attainable haha. Thanks :hattip:
     
  27. Nov 9, 2020 at 9:05 AM
    #177
    Mountun Goat

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    Hi @Rex Kramer

    I assume if I want to increase house supply pressure, this pressure switch is where I would adjust it?
    Is there any standard pressure limits in industry I should know about?

    image.jpg
     
  28. Nov 9, 2020 at 9:09 AM
    #178
    Rex Kramer

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    Turn the nut on the tallest spring down a few turns... do not touch anything else.

    Turning this nut down will increase your pump on / off pressure setting.
     
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  29. Nov 9, 2020 at 9:10 AM
    #179
    Mountun Goat

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    Wicked, thanks so much! :hattip:
     
  30. Nov 12, 2020 at 4:39 AM
    #180
    SOB

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    The pressure switch should have a range that it’s designed for, no? You’d want to stay within that range or close to it. Mine for example is a 40-60psi switch. It turns the well pump on when pressure drops to 40psi and off when it reaches 60psi.
     
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