Ro filters plus.

[crankdoctor]

Hey all, I’m setting up a new Ro system for my Rdwc and have a question on prefilters. First off I’m using the hydrologic 300 but was wondering if I could use a small boy in front of it using 2 5 micron sediment pre filters first in small boy then 2 kd85 carbon filters in the 300. Or could do a 5 then a 1 micron in first 2. Can’t find anything on inter web if this has been done or not.
Seams like this would extend life of ro filters or would this just be over kill and a money pit. City Water usualy runs about 230 ppm and is high in chlorine and calcium. More chlorine in summer of course.
Anyway it’s cheaper to buy pre filters than the ro. Also thought about using a pleated filter first because of surface area then a spun filter 2nd. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Nizza]

Hey all, I’m setting up a new Ro system for my Rdwc and have a question on prefilters. First off I’m using the hydrologic 300 but was wondering if I could use a small boy in front of it using 2 5 micron sediment pre filters first in small boy then 2 kd85 carbon filters in the 300. Or could do a 5 then a 1 micron in first 2. Can’t find anything on inter web if this has been done or not.
Seams like this would extend life of ro filters or would this just be over kill and a money pit. City Water usualy runs about 230 ppm and is high in chlorine and calcium. More chlorine in summer of course.
Anyway it’s cheaper to buy pre filters than the ro. Also thought about using a pleated filter first because of surface area then a spun filter 2nd. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I would try the water out in your system first without filtration. Believe it or not chloramine will act like a sterilizer and may save you money, and if you can grow without filtration your going to save a ton of hassle and water. I went down this route and ended up only using my RO unit for my ice and water. I re enrich it with calcite and it's nice to have but after trying a grow without it seems fine. I also use the ro water for my steamer, humidifier, coffee, pasta , and other everyday things.

 

[crankdoctor]

I would try the water out in your system first without filtration. Believe it or not chloramine will act like a sterilizer and may save you money, and if you can grow without filtration your going to save a ton of hassle and water. I went down this route and ended up only using my RO unit for my ice and water. I re enrich it with calcite and it's nice to have but after trying a grow without it seems fine. I also use the ro water for my steamer, humidifier, coffee, pasta , and other everyday things.

I did try my first time with it when it was around 270. Was using jacks and couldn’t get it right on so switched to refillable ro 5 gal refills in flower and could mix right and growth and taste was better. I Got the small boy and seamed to help but didn’t do as good as ro water did. Only reason in getting the ro was to get ec down so I have more room for nutes and know what I’m putting in. Plus save some money. I hope! Drain will go outside drum mixed with rain water for washing cars and such. Our calcium is verry high. So bad Im going to have to get a water softener. Faucets , elements in water heater and head units are toast within a year. It’s that bad. Idk but when I get the softener it may be another story. I run a i spring 4 filter system under kitchen sink and run to fridge. Water taste great but filters are expensive. It’s not ro tho. Still have the cal buildup of course. So if nothing else I can use it for them and same as you do. I just did t know if the prefilters ran double would help or be a waste. Guess I could try before the i spring and see if they last a little longer. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Nizza]

I did try my first time with it when it was around 270. Was using jacks and couldn’t get it right on so switched to refillable ro 5 gal refills in flower and could mix right and growth and taste was better. I Got the small boy and seamed to help but didn’t do as good as ro water did. Only reason in getting the ro was to get ec down so I have more room for nutes and know what I’m putting in. Plus save some money. I hope! Drain will go outside drum mixed with rain water for washing cars and such. Our calcium is verry high. So bad Im going to have to get a water softener. Faucets , elements in water heater and head units are toast within a year. It’s that bad. Idk but when I get the softener it may be another story. I run a i spring 4 filter system under kitchen sink and run to fridge. Water taste great but filters are expensive. It’s not ro tho. Still have the cal buildup of course. So if nothing else I can use it for them and same as you do. I just did t know if the prefilters ran double would help or be a waste. Guess I could try before the i spring and see if they last a little longer. Thanks for the reply!

No problem!
Just to add, there are also nute formulas specifically for high calcium water.

In my opinion you are best off investing in a flow monitor so you can decide when to change the carbon blocks. Here's one I'm going to get. Changing the blocks is important to preserve the life of the ro membrane.
I also had a tee on my system for filling my hydro system before my calcite re enrichment filter. I might add it back on now just so no calcite is added into my humidifier or steamer and things like that. Be sure you are using a calcite post filter If you are also drinking the ro water, pure RO isn't good for you.

Digiflow Filter Monitor/Volume & Elapsed Time Monitor (Count Down) for Water Filters

Filter Monitor/Volume & Elapsed Time Monitor (Count Down) Emits an audible alarm when either the user programmed capacity or time limit has been reached. Current flow rate and days/gallons remaining can be displayed. Programmable from 100-19,900 gallons and/or 3-720 days. Batteries included.

www.wecofilters.com

Another thing you could add instead is a booster pump or a permeate pump(I forget what it is but uses the water from the waste somehow to boost the inlet pressure.) Both of these result in less waste water and better lifetime of the ro membrane

 

[Nizza]

https://www.htgsupply.com/products/floramicro-hard-water-quart/?utm_source=Google+Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Variations_210830_1558&gclid=CjwKCAjw7oeqBhBwEiwALyHLM9lvbtayGH_i-VjtTioDggxuHQ-WAqGuwv8MoFAnKnXLGUbSR_n3bBoCCr8QAvD_BwE

This is an example for the general hydroponics hard water substitute for their trio. I assume it just has less calcium in it but I would read into it if I were you. I would think other brands have similar options

 

[Billy the Mountain]

Hey all, I’m setting up a new Ro system for my Rdwc and have a question on prefilters. First off I’m using the hydrologic 300 but was wondering if I could use a small boy in front of it using 2 5 micron sediment pre filters first in small boy then 2 kd85 carbon filters in the 300. Or could do a 5 then a 1 micron in first 2. Can’t find anything on inter web if this has been done or not.
Seams like this would extend life of ro filters or would this just be over kill and a money pit. City Water usualy runs about 230 ppm and is high in chlorine and calcium. More chlorine in summer of course.
Anyway it’s cheaper to buy pre filters than the ro. Also thought about using a pleated filter first because of surface area then a spun filter 2nd. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Your intentions are good but there's little advantage to adding more sediment filters in front of the RO unit. By "RO unit", I mean the entire system and not just the RO membrane. The key to extending the RO membrane's lifespan is being vigilant about swapping out the activated carbon filter regularly. Chlorine kills RO membranes and activated carbon kills Chlorine; an ineffective carbon filter will dramatically shorten the life of the RO filter. I found this out through first-hand experience. If you change out the sediment and carbon filters on a regular basis, the RO filter will last a long time before you see the EC start it's gradual rise. I usually swap out the RO filter every third or fourth time I swap the other filters.

 

[Lou66]

You need 3 stages. First a sediment filters (5 micron is enough) to block any particles that might be present and clog downstream stages. Then a carbon block to neutralize chlorine as that will destroy the ro membrane. Last you need the ro membrane to produce the actual ro water.
Adding a booster pump to increase the pressure increases water efficiency.

Everything else is just extra sales and a waste of money.

 

[crankdoctor]

Thanks for all of your reply’s. Very helpful especially since this is my first rodeo. Thanks for that link Nizza.
One other question. Are you all using the branded filters or are there aftermarket ones that are equivalent. I read the company was bought out.
Thanks again!

 

[Nizza]

Thanks for all of your reply’s. Very helpful especially since this is my first rodeo. Thanks for that link Nizza.
One other question. Are you all using the branded filters or are there aftermarket ones that are equivalent. I read the company was bought out.
Thanks again!

I read more into using that flow meter I linked and that is for.high volume RO. The best way to test if the carbon blocks are still good is get a total chlorine meter or just set a timer. The rep told me 1 year will be fine but who knows how much water you go thru. I'd say 6-9 months on the carbon block replacements. No need to do two sets of each

 

[Jjgrow420]

My hydrologic stealth came with 3 chambers. Pre filter(sediment) carbon filter and then to the ro chamber.
Haven't seen one without the first 2 stages...
as mentioned above the contaminants ruin the ro filter super fast.

 

[Turpman]

Anyone mod their RO systems with flow indicators like a rotameter? I’ve put different membrains/ effluent orfice in my system. I’m thinking putting in a couple meters in and a valve so I can set effluent flow vs ro flow. I’m on well and my water pressure fluctuates some. I’d like to more accurately set the ratio. Wondering if it would make it more efficient.

 

[crankdoctor]

My hydrologic stealth came with 3 chambers. Pre filter(sediment) carbon filter and then to the ro chamber.
Haven't seen one without the first 2 stages...
as mentioned above the contaminants ruin the ro filter super fast.

It’s the same thing. 100/ 150 has sed. Carbon and 1 ro filter the 200 and 300 are basically the same but has 2 ro filters. I was just asking if adding the small boy unit with 2 extra filters would help trap more sed. Before going to stealth But looks like we have that myth busted. So anything over what comes with the stealth would be a waste of money and no real benefits. And I thank all who has helped me get this cracked! P.s. they did make a 75 and it just has 2. 1 pre filter and one 75 gpd ro filter. The small and tall boy are 2 filters. 1 for sed and 1 for dechlorinator. So if you added a ro on it would then be a stealth 150.