Reverse Osmosis Units

dkling · 10-26-2005, 03:32 PM

I've been doing some research on RO units tring to find out if they can
be used to clean well water for reef use.
it seems that i recall they require a high amount of pressure.
any info would be very helpful.
Thanks

David.

motorslave · 10-26-2005, 03:35 PM

Im not sure of the exact numbers but they do require some pressure. You can buy small in line pumps made specifically for this though. Check out the Spectrapure site. I think they tell what is needed and may even have the pumps.

Robert

dkling · 10-26-2005, 03:43 PM

Thanks for then site.

Matt_b · 10-26-2005, 03:43 PM

Hi David

Am no expert at this but i guess there will be no mains pressure from a well so i'd guess you will need some sort of booster pump inbetween your ro unit and well

JMO

Matt

EDIT:

But saying that if your drawing water through a well that must be more pure than a tap( faucet haha)?

LiquidLunch · 10-26-2005, 03:54 PM

I believe Spectrapure calls for 60psi. Depending on your house, you can adjust the water pressure. I had to do this when I rented a condo a while back. I tried to do it again at another rental and wasn't able to do so because I believe the condo association or someone put a regulator on the main supply. I also read that you can damage the RO unit if your water pressure is lower than 60psi.

dkling · 10-26-2005, 03:58 PM

yea , what im starting to realize is that i need at least 60psi , which i'm no were near.

ive been using publix ro water dispenser for a long time , but its a pain in the butt and it may not still b as good as one purched for aquarium use.

LiquidLunch · 10-26-2005, 04:04 PM

not cheap, but.... http://spectrapure.com/St_kits_p3.htm#pressure

yardboy · 10-26-2005, 04:21 PM

Many RO membranes are rated at 45#, but can go with more, up to about 75#. Assuming you are using a jet or submersible pump to get your water out of the well and into your house, the pressure shutoff can be set to increase the pressure up to what you want. I once had the contacts melt when lightening struck the power line and the pump kept running and got over 100#, which was probably a pressure it couldn't maintain for a long time, would have blown the seals eventually.

Loverotties · 10-26-2005, 07:39 PM

Matt Here in NJ well water in most places have a VERY HIGH levle of copper .I knew this girls well was so high no matter what filter and filters in line got the copper out so she had to use bottle water.

dkling · 10-27-2005, 06:53 AM

my storage tank is pressureized, could i not add more air pressure to increase

water pressure ?

LiquidLunch · 10-27-2005, 08:56 AM

call or e-mail SpectraPure, they are super friendly and informative. my guess to your question is no. you need the added pressure BEFORE the RO unit, not AFTER it.

dkling · 10-27-2005, 12:20 PM

comming from our well the water goes into a pressureized tank , the tank is what feeds our house ,and maintains the pressure .

mike_morse · 10-27-2005, 02:41 PM

Most well water is very hard. Hard water is will take a toll on the RO filters. If you don't already have a water softner you may want to look into that as well. Run the water from the well to the softener, then into the RO. You should end up with very clean 99.9% H20.

Another RO site
http://www.wattspremier.com

DSB · 10-27-2005, 02:49 PM

you only need 45psi 80 max!

yardboy · 10-27-2005, 05:37 PM

Beware of blanket statements about the quality of well water, it varies all over the country. I'm sure your local cooperative extension agent can give you some insights into the hydrology of your area, short of a water test, which can be expensive. The pressurized tank you are referring to is most likely pressurized by the pump drawing the water out of the ground. Simply increase the pressure required to shut off the pump to increase the pressure in the tank (it's usually an easy matter of turning a screw on the contact switch)