Reverse Osmosis Questions

[Blaine The Mono]

Okay, I'm sick of dealing with my tap water. I need to ph it from 8.8 and when I do the next day it jumps up about .6 or .7. I've been looking into an R/O unit. I don't need massive amounts of R/O'd water. Maybe 10 gallons a week. My questions are;

1. Is water wasted in the R/O process? I've read a couple things saying that for every R/O'd gallon you waste 5 gallons. Is this true? Is this water that isn't filtered out?

2. Is dehumidifier water the same as R/O water? I run a dehumidi most of the summer and get about 3 gallons every 3-4 days.

3. What about rain water? How long can rain water sit before it is no longer viable?

Sorry for all the questions. Just really need another option from my crappy tap water.

 

[Adrift]

i can def help answer a few of those questions..

dehuey and ac water is ro water, there should be no ppms whatsoever from that supply if you choose to save it and use it, i know i do!

yes water is wasted with ro, i think its more like 3 gallons per every 1 gallon of ro water you catch, but i could be off...

never used rain water so cant help you there. but aslong as its collected in a clean fashion i dont see why it would not last you for a while!

good luck and happy growing

 

[cjk]

1. Is water wasted in the R/O process? I've read a couple things saying that for every R/O'd gallon you waste 5 gallons. Is this true? Is this water that isn't filtered out?

2. Is dehumidifier water the same as R/O water? I run a dehumidi most of the summer and get about 3 gallons every 3-4 days.

3. What about rain water? How long can rain water sit before it is no longer viable?

1. yes water is wasted in RO filtration but the waste is getting less and less with newer products. a 5:1 ratio is pretty bad by today's standards, that may have been older info. i just ordered the hydrologic evolution ro 1000. it is a tankless system that averages about a half gallon per minute with standard water pressure. 500 $ may seem like a lot but i am going to use the system for drinking, cooking, and gardening so it's definately worth the investment. the ge merlin is another good system in the same price range but i read a couple of reviews and got pushed away. ge is supposed to be releasing an upgraded model soon but i coulnd't wait. the ro system i ordered will have a 2:1 waste to water ratio with an optional 1:1.

2. yes, should be nice and clean as long as the equipment stays clean.

3. rain water is as good as it gets pending on the way it is collected. for long term storage move it into 5 gallon drinking jugs and bring them inside out of the heat or even aerate if that's not good enough.

 

[SeaMaiden]

Okay, I'm sick of dealing with my tap water. I need to ph it from 8.8 and when I do the next day it jumps up about .6 or .7. I've been looking into an R/O unit. I don't need massive amounts of R/O'd water. Maybe 10 gallons a week. My questions are;

1. Is water wasted in the R/O process? I've read a couple things saying that for every R/O'd gallon you waste 5 gallons. Is this true? Is this water that isn't filtered out?

2. Is dehumidifier water the same as R/O water? I run a dehumidi most of the summer and get about 3 gallons every 3-4 days.

3. What about rain water? How long can rain water sit before it is no longer viable?

Sorry for all the questions. Just really need another option from my crappy tap water.

Adding mine to the fray...

1. Yes, water is wasted. However, that can be reduced significantly by using either or both a permeate and/or booster pump. Water pressure plays a huge role in the unit's efficiency. Also, you should know that the 'waste' water is still likely better than what comes out of your tap. Use it, don't let it go to waste. I use mine on my landscaping plants.

2. Yes, the dehumidifier water should be relatively clean, if not filtered. It's water that's been pulled out of the atmosphere.

3. I've got barrels of rainwater that have been there for over a year. If you're concerned with mosquitoes use dunks, if you're concerned with algae don't be, if you're concerned with any other pathogens then about a teaspoon of bleach helps keep it clean and potable. I just keep mine in the basement, covered, with aeration (slow bubbling).

I got my RO/DI unit from PureWaterClub dot com. About $100+tax&delivery, bit of a pain in the ass to set up but the thing works pretty well and gives me water of the parameters I'm looking for. I am on a private, deep well, no other treatment besides filtration from the well head.

 

[BigBuck]

get a small boy water filter, they are about $100

I bought a RO for the same price and it wasted more water then it made and clogged in a year. So I set it on fire in frustration.

The main thing you want to get out of the water from your tap is the chlorine and if you still have a few ppms its not the end of the world.

small boy does not wast any water and also does 1 gallon per minute where my RO only did 2 gallons a hour.

A few problems with dehumidifier water, if youve ever had bugs or powder mildew in your grow room then you probably still have them in you dehumidifier and they can get into the water it produces, not to mention any oils or grease the dehumidifier may have in it. Also, a Dehumidifier isnt going to give you enough water to water your plants so your going to need another source of water anyway.

Small boy and a float valve solved all my headaches.

hope this helps

 

[Tyga]

I'de go RO if possible.. they have adapters for your sink so you don't need to drill into the water line like some people do. To be honest I ordered mine from Thefilterguys.biz and have been really satisfied. There more like your mom and pop type people so if you have any issues you can talk to them personally and they are real helpful. Never actually got "0"PPM but between 6-15 which is good for me since the waste wasn't ridiculous.

 

[Blaine The Mono]

Wow, thanks for all the info guys. It's very informative!

 

[Blaine The Mono]

Big Buck, does the Small Boy come with mounting instructions and all? You mentioned a float valve. Is this included?

 

[eyes]

waste is usually 4 to1. it all depends on line pressure or feed pressure. the higher the incoming water pressure the better. add an extra r.o membrane and a booster pump if necessary and decrease your water consumption to 1 to 1.

dehumidifier water would be cosidered to be distilled water but not really since its method is not steamed but rather a drip of a hot condenser. so yes but no. probably has a 0 ppm though. an r.o. will leave some tds.

any water that sits and is stagnant gets spoiled temp and oxgen will determine how long the water is good for. a container of water in a cold room lasts longer than one in the summer time. lack of dissolved oxgen. the colder that water the more d.o. this is why in hydro the water temps should be kept below 65 f.