Tired of running multiple water filter systems

[R Chin]

Residential RO production is a trickle of water

The only place where you experience high flow is between the storage (bladder tank) and the fixture. If this section is relatively short - then 1/4” tubing is more than adequate

If you absolutely cannot place the storage near the demand - then you may need to upsize tubing, but you’ll have a lot more fittings, stagnant water, etc

Stick with the 1/4” unless absolutely necessary

 

[LMichaels]

Residential RO production is a trickle of water

The only place where you experience high flow is between the storage (bladder tank) and the fixture. If this section is relatively short - then 1/4” tubing is more than adequate

If you absolutely cannot place the storage near the demand - then you may need to upsize tubing, but you’ll have a lot more fittings, stagnant water, etc

Stick with the 1/4” unless absolutely necessary

OK, well one storage tank is within 6' of the outlets it supplies, and the first storage/pressure tank is about 3' from the filtration setup. Would I be better off putting both tanks under the kitchen close together and running one 3/8" line back to the filtration setup (about 18' away)?

 

[R Chin]

OK, well one storage tank is within 6' of the outlets it supplies, and the first storage/pressure tank is about 3' from the filtration setup. Would I be better off putting both tanks under the kitchen close together and running one 3/8" line back to the filtration setup (about 18' away)?

Line from RO package to tank(s) certainly don’t require more than 1/4” - remember the RO can only deliver a trickle

If all of your demand is in kitchen, I honestly don’t think you would even need a second tank - remove it and store as a backup and minimize any biofilm

 

[LMichaels]

Line from RO package to tank(s) certainly don’t require more than 1/4” - remember the RO can only deliver a trickle

If all of your demand is in kitchen, I honestly don’t think you would even need a second tank - remove it and store as a backup and minimize any biofilm

Interesting thought. Though we do use a lot of water here. Me alone just in consummation water (coffee, and drinking water daily we use over 2 gallons. This is not including any other incidentals from cooking water needs and so on. On weekends when kids are here usage goes through the roof. So, I think I'm pleased with the dual tank system. I'd just like to use it as efficiently as possible. So, if it meant moving the first over next to the 2nd I could do that. But so far it seems to be performing pretty well

 

[R Chin]

If you decide to keep secondary tank, current placement is probably adequate. It will transfer to primary tank at lower but probably acceptable rate (flow rate you saw at faucet prior to relocation of tank)

 

[LMichaels]

Now that I have the secondary moved it would not be hard for me to move the primary as well. I'm just wondering if it's worth it. The system is running great now. Honestly it's running nearly the same as the the straight filtration system I was using prior which had a .5 GPM flow rate so I think this this thing will do well. But I may still change out the main line(s) to the 3/8" I kind of have to stew on it a bit

 

[R Chin]

I was referring to the primary as the one closest to your faucets… cuz the other one is secondary (and not really necessary)

3/8 really not needed nor is relocation of other tank

 

[LMichaels]

Hey, Just wondering.....................All of a sudden today both of us notice flow rate significantly reduced down to what it nearly what it was before moving the tank. I checked water pressure coming in still just under 80lbs all valves are open. No lines kinked. Could I have something going wrong in the RO system?

 

[LMichaels]

I was referring to the primary as the one closest to your faucets… cuz the other one is secondary (and not really necessary)

3/8 really not needed nor is relocation of other tank

Well weirdly enough just ran some filtered water and it was running well. Go figure

 

[LMichaels]

So, not to rehash, but this thing continues to confound me a bit. I did replace the control valve on the actual RO assembly, but now, getting what I feel is a "sour" taste in the water on the sink faucet. Water coming from fridge none. Water at the sink tap is getting a "final" or "polishing" filtration from a granular activated carbon (charcoal) filter. I think the sour taste/aroma is coming from the pressure tank. Oddly the same feed is going to both outlets but different final filters. The fridge is using the built in carbon filter internally and on the sink I have one of these https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi.../88005241/p-1501223588570-c-1535732895503.htm So I am considering going to a tankless "on demand" RO system. Open the tap a pump turns on pressurizing the feed rather than a holding tank. Question here is: Anyone ever used one of these on demand type systems? All my research shows them to be top notch. But, I don't know of anyone personally using one. All I know is I'm really bothered by the smell/taste. Yeah, I can open the fridge door and pull a glass from there, but it's got me wondering what type of "nasties" are growing in that tank?

 

[R Chin]

So, not to rehash, but this thing continues to confound me a bit. I did replace the control valve on the actual RO assembly, but now, getting what I feel is a "sour" taste in the water on the sink faucet. Water coming from fridge none. Water at the sink tap is getting a "final" or "polishing" filtration from a granular activated carbon (charcoal) filter. I think the sour taste/aroma is coming from the pressure tank. Oddly the same feed is going to both outlets but different final filters. The fridge is using the built in carbon filter internally and on the sink I have one of these https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi.../88005241/p-1501223588570-c-1535732895503.htm So I am considering going to a tankless "on demand" RO system. Open the tap a pump turns on pressurizing the feed rather than a holding tank. Question here is: Anyone ever used one of these on demand type systems? All my research shows them to be top notch. But, I don't know of anyone personally using one. All I know is I'm really bothered by the smell/taste. Yeah, I can open the fridge door and pull a glass from there, but it's got me wondering what type of "nasties" are growing in that tank?
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The reason no one uses them in residential application is money and maintenance. I managed multistage RO systems that produced 30gpm of product that was further filtered with DI to lab grade that was distributed throughout our site. Purchase price of equipment is actually not bad compared to manpower and expendables to keep it running.

As soon as you remove chlorine from the supply water, you will begin growing bio film on all downstream piping and tank surfaces. Ironically, if you don’t change your activated carbon, it will turn into a massive substrate for bugs to grow.

I suggest you disinfect your system with peroxide and change any media that may be due. This is also why I recommend reducing extra/redundant tanks and filters - to reduce available surface for biofilm and overall maintenance.

 

[LMichaels]

The reason no one uses them in residential application is money and maintenance. I managed multistage RO systems that produced 30gpm of product that was further filtered with DI to lab grade that was distributed throughout our site. Purchase price of equipment is actually not bad compared to manpower and expendables to keep it running.

As soon as you remove chlorine from the supply water, you will begin growing bio film on all downstream piping and tank surfaces. Ironically, if you don’t change your activated carbon, it will turn into a massive substrate for bugs to grow.

I suggest you disinfect your system with peroxide and change any media that may be due. This is also why I recommend reducing extra/redundant tanks and filters - to reduce available surface for biofilm and overall maintenance.

The weird thing is all the media is fresh. I was thinking about pulling everything and sterilizing. Process is absolutely awful though when there are tanks and it's a slow system. Which is why I'm looking at a tankless system. I only installed everything in May and June.

 

[R Chin]

The weird thing is all the media is fresh. I was thinking about pulling everything and sterilizing. Process is absolutely awful though when there are tanks and it's a slow system. Which is why I'm looking at a tankless system. I only installed everything in May and June.

Tanks, filter housings, tubing all installed recently?
Integrated refrigerator filters?
Mineralizers?

Source water foul too?

 

[LMichaels]

Tanks, filter housings, tubing all installed recently?
Integrated refrigerator filters?
Mineralizers?

Source water foul too?

Everything brand new in last 6 weeks. Source water is pretty decent quality (but chlorinated). I changed out the final activated carbon granular filter for a carbon block one this one to be exact https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi...r/h2o-f13/p-1501223587610-c-1535732895503.htm and it's quite the difference in taste and odor. Thing is with an RO it puzzles me that there would be taste and or odor issue. Though I have noticed nearly all RO systems include a "final" filter. But, I am truly considering going to on demand as I think it would make for less places to have the water go sour like in large pressure tank(s). For now I think I have the issue rather "nipped".

 

[R Chin]

RO doesn’t specifically target taste and odor - it is basically a super efficient particulate filter. Carbon is generally best for removing what we consider taste and odor

Actually the carbon upstream is not for taste and odor - its primary purpose is to remove chlorine to protect the membrane.

The “final filter” carbon would remove taste and odor right before dispensing - that is anything that remained or was created by bacteria eating organics that may have made it through the RO

Maybe you are one of those super tasters that have an especially sensitive palate

 

[LMichaels]

RO doesn’t specifically target taste and odor - it is basically a super efficient particulate filter. Carbon is generally best for removing what we consider taste and odor

Actually the carbon upstream is not for taste and odor - its primary purpose is to remove chlorine to protect the membrane.

The “final filter” carbon would remove taste and odor right before dispensing - that is anything that remained or was created by bacteria eating organics that may have made it through the RO

Maybe you are one of those super tasters that have an especially sensitive palate

I think so re the taster thing.
If I let the water run awhile through the carbon block the taste seems to settle down. It is mounted right under the kitchen and the last thing the water passes through before the faucet. Even with the carbon block though it's less but I still notice it. And I've even set water from the fridge dispenser out on the counter to let it come to room temp and I don't get that somewhat "off" taste. Even though the the tank is right there and T'd so one side feeds the fridge the other the sink. I'm having a hard time imagining the filter in my fridge is that much better. I'd thought about bypassing it but I don't think so.
I will have to experiment a bit more though I may still go to a tankless design

 

[R Chin]

Have you tried a carafe style filter like a Brita to polish the water right before you use it?

If you use RO water maybe you could find a cartridge that is only carbon - that is really what I think you need

Brita would remove some dissolved solids as well, which you would not want to use with your remineralized water for your coffee drinks

 

[LMichaels]

Have you tried a carafe style filter like a Brita to polish the water right before you use it?

If you use RO water maybe you could find a cartridge that is only carbon - that is really what I think you need

Brita would remove some dissolved solids as well, which you would not want to use with your remineralized water for your coffee drinks

Well according to the specs on the filter I have in place in front of the sink's faucet, is supposedly pure carbon. Here are the specs. Apparently the OEM Samsung filter in the fridge is also carbon block. Maybe it's much higher quality? Hell it's 2X the price

• Reduces chlorine, taste, odor, lead, and VOCs
• 13 inch carbon block filter
• Filter is designed to fit push button system
• Can be used as replacement filter in lieu of granular activated carbon/Carbon block filter in systems: H2O-DWGC100, H2O-DWGC101, H2O-DWCB200, H2O-DWUF300
• Premium high capacity carbon block
• Filtration down to 1.5 Micron
• Certified for lead free compliance

 

[Ray J.]

I originally had an issue with bio film in my RO system. I turns out that was because I had a 1 micron carbon filter downstream of the 5 micron sediment filter and 5 micron carbon filter. I re-pipped it to use the 1 micron carbon block as a "polishing" filter after my RO tank.
I havn't had a bio film issue since then.

 

[LMichaels]

I originally had an issue with bio film in my RO system. I turns out that was because I had a 1 micron carbon filter downstream of the 5 micron sediment filter and 5 micron carbon filter. I re-pipped it to use the 1 micron carbon block as a "polishing" filter after my RO tank.
I havn't had a bio film issue since then.

That is what I am doing. I'm wondering if it's something to do with the actual faucet? If I let the water run through it a while the funny taste and aroma goes away. Yet this is not necessary at the fridge. Thing is I have to let it run until the flow begins to slow. By this time if I need any quantity it's difficult. Honestly it's beginning to drive me a little nuts. I am thinking I may disconnect the faucet, and hook up a bleach solution to run through it, then flush it with fresh water and hook the thing back up. Then see what happens.