RO Unit on a well

[Doug]

Here are a few links to some RC threads. I dont usually link another board but though it may offer some good info in this case. There was a lot of them. The last thread has someone posting another view but most agree with what I posted. I also seen a link to an article, which I never read yet.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...water+softener

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...water+softener

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...water+softener

Hope some of this helps.

[hillbillyreefer]

Slick Fork: I haven't seen any adverse effects on the well or any other part of the system. The well is 40 years old this year, as far as I can tell the pump is only the second one that has been installed. There is a chance that noone else can remember another pump change. The pump that is in there now is a 1 hp, the well delivers about 35 gpm, and this pump is 11 years old.

[bassman]

Originally Posted by Doug

I never used soft water in the tank, as it ran through the ro unit first. Soft water is much easier on an ro membrane than the hard cold well water, which is murder on them. An ro/di removes everything from the water anyways, so not sure what you mean regarding the soft water removing minerals.

As a matter of fact I never filtered enough. I never ran a post di then. Big mistake as the high alk. of the well water, which a di removes, often screwed up my levels when mixed with Instant Ocean salt.

No soft water was used for human consumption, as it was passed through the ro before going to the fridge and sink. Pure soft water was teed to the rest of the house.

I am stilll confused. If your water comes from the well, then to the water softener and finally to your RO unit all your water has been softened. Right? That was the very first thing that happened to the water.

The softening process removes all the hard minerals from the water so somewhere along the line those minerals would have to be put back in the water in order for it to no longer be soft.
Perhaps softeners do that? Maybe they put exceptable levels back in the water. I wouldn't think so as water straight from a softener is not recommended for consumption. This is due to the low mineral levels.

The RO unit won't put anything back in the water, it's nothing but a pre-filter, RO membrane (super tight filter) and carbon.

So by my figuring you end up with super filtered soft water, that has been treated with carbon.

Like I said I am no expert though. LOL

[Doug]

Originally Posted by bassman

I am stilll confused. If your water comes from the well, then to the water softener and finally to your RO unit all your water has been softened. Right? That was the very first thing that happened to the water.

The softening process removes all the hard minerals from the water so somewhere along the line those minerals would have to be put back in the water in order for it to no longer be soft.
Perhaps softeners do that? Maybe they put exceptable levels back in the water. I wouldn't think so as water straight from a softener is not recommended for consumption. This is due to the low mineral levels.

The RO unit won't put anything back in the water, it's nothing but a pre-filter, RO membrane (super tight filter) and carbon.

So by my figuring you end up with super filtered soft water, that has been treated with carbon.

Like I said I am no expert though. LOL

Ok I see what you're concern is. I thought it was regarding drinking soft water itself.

Its the lack of minerals then. Is that not taken out by rodi? Would that not make it unhealthy then also? I though read a thread on that someplace and it was stated that the minerals lost can be compensated for elsewhere? Most people purchase store ro water to drink. I see on the dispenser where one can add minerals. Doubt many use it ? I dont know.