Well Water

[Baker]

Well it sounds like well water isnt really an issue for you guys. Ive been thinking about purchasing an acreage and was wondering if I would still be able to continue reefing. Although, I probably wouldnt have the time. Thanks for your input.

[MitchM]

Depending on where you're looking to purchase the acreage, check with the local municipality.
I live in Mountainview County and they put on regular workshops on how to best look after your well and the maintenance required.

[Slick Fork]

It really depends on the area you're in. We had an acreage west of Innisfail, Alberta and my water out of the well was in the neighbourhood of 800ppm. A water softener helped, but the RO could only get the water down to about 30ppm even with a pump to boost the pressure on the membrane. DI and pre-filters were burned up like crazy.

Ultimately, I gave up on having a large tank because the water was too much of a pain and lugging purchased water from town was getting expensive. When you're looking, take one of those digital PPM meters with you and just see what the water is like out of the tap at any place you're looking at.

[The Grizz]

Slickfork is correct it all depends on the well, our well before ours system is loaded with tannin. Thankfully we have a very large & expensive filtration system that really cleans the water up, out of the tap it's 8 ppm but I think I might get a small RO just for the tank. With very low ppm's out of the tap already my small RO system filters should last a little longer then normal city water.

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Slickfork is correct it all depends on the well, our well before ours system is loaded with tannin. Thankfully we have a very large & expensive filtration system that really cleans the water up, out of the tap it's 8 ppm but I think I might get a small RO just for the tank. With very low ppm's out of the tap already my small RO system filters should last a little longer then normal city water.

Grizz, which filter system are you using?

Kinetico?

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by MitchM

Grizz, which filter system are you using?

Kinetico?

We have a commercial RO, very expensive unit.

main filter:


secondary carbon filter:


Well water holding tank & bleach container (right):


Cleaned ready to use water holding tank:

[MitchM]

Nice, your own chlorination too.

Thanks

[asylumdown]

Just curious, if you're on a well I assume you're also on some sort of septic system. If you've got a large tank, how do you deal with the waste saltwater from a water change? One would think that over time the salt buildup could really mess with a septic field?

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by asylumdown

Just curious, if you're on a well I assume you're also on some sort of septic system. If you've got a large tank, how do you deal with the waste saltwater from a water change? One would think that over time the salt buildup could really mess with a septic field?

Also very correct Adam, its a PITA to deal with water changes. Myself I don't dump any tank water down the drain. With my new system I am adding a couple brass check valves into my whole house RO system that drains the waist water directly out into my water slew. This way I can direct pump my water change water directly out there where it will not affect my septic system.

[Doug]

Mine in Manitoba was fine after the softener fed the ro unit. One think I never knew back then was the well was high in alkalinity, and with no DI removing on my ro unit, it was messing with my tank.

My water changes went down with the rest of the water. I assume my and others softener dumps a lot more salt in the septic system than a water change. I guess like Grizz, one could pump it elsewhere to be on the safe side.