Ammonia from a tap filter?

[Siberman]

(Nobody laugh.)

Since I've had only the 20 I've been buying RO water but I've experimented with a couple of these:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...84&pcatid=4484

I've got really good water here and no SPS but I'm trying to be careful...you never know.

The problem is that I was using the present filter here while back and noticed a strong ammonia smell. The water tested at .25ppm . Tap water tested at 0. Tap water with salt mix = 0.

Needless to say I'm not using it but has anyone else had this experience and what the frak happened?

[Loverotties]

Filter maybe upside down?dripping to fast?

[OneDummHikk]

Siberman, it sounds like something got trapped in it (maybe just bacteria) and decayed and then got released from the outlet side. It would have to have been on the outlet side or the filter wasn't working properly. How long was it between uses? Remember that the water in it (however minute that amount may be) will become stagnant and become a breeding ground.

[Siberman]

Originally Posted by OneDummHikk

Siberman, it sounds like something got trapped in it (maybe just bacteria) and decayed and then got released from the outlet side. It would have to have been on the outlet side or the filter wasn't working properly.

Plausible.


How long was it between uses?

About 10 days.

Remember that the water in it (however minute that amount may be) will become stagnant and become a breeding ground.

They recommend leaving the water to keep the media wet. Never had this with the last one. Hmmmmmm.
Does this ever happen with RO units?

[OneDummHikk]

To be honest, I have never tested it for Ammonia. After coming out of the DI, it reads 0 TDS and I would guess that if ammonia was present, it would skew the TDS reading on it. Although air doesn't really get to the water until its in my trashcan. Until then, it is held by the check valve. What you are supposed to do (and I don't do) is flush the first 4-5 gallons out of the system to get any potential contaminants out of the line.