RO vs Filtered

OK.

So I am running out of rain water as my country is becoming frozen for the next few months.

My wife hates RO due too the huge amounts of waste water.

My water is quite hard. you need a softener or it scales everything up.

Are there filter options other than RO that don't involve a Brita?

Thanks.

Yes. A straight 3 stage under sink system will work very well for you and provide nice, clean drinking water at the same time. Something like this would be perfect for you:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/APEC-Water-Systems-WFS-Series-Super-Capacity-Premium-Quality-3-Stage-Under-Counter-Water-Filtration-System-WFS-1000/206468678

Now, your problem is going to be simply that if you water is THAT hard, you'll be changing the filters out more often than most folks would be.

I would err on the side of caution and order an extra set or two of filters when you order the system. Then, once installed, check the first stage filter every couple of weeks until you see it begin to clog up with particulates.

Once you have that, you'll know how often to change your filters and can order replacements accordingly.

Some of the hardest water I've ever seen is along the coast of the U.S in South Carolina. There's enough sulfur in it to where it actually stinks like hell when you shower. Even in the several years I lived there, I was changing the filters out about every two-and-a-half months.

So that should give you an idea of the cost you'll face from replacement cartridges. A Brita in that type of environment last about 6 weeks tops and is only about 15% as effective by comparison.

If your water is > 250ppm, you need an RO system. Get one with a booster pump and water loss is minimal

This is the one I use

https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7P-AK-Permeate-compatible-Alkaline/dp/B005LKKMYS/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1466169520&sr=8-34&keywords=reverse+osmosis

r/o units used to and some cheap ones still have a 9-1 waste to good water, a lot now have 2-1 or 1-1 waste to good.

That's his wife's issue: They're wasting as much or more water than they're making. I know a good many people who have issues with that.

The three stage will produce perfectly fine water for any need they have. He's not doing surgery, folks. He's watering plants.

I personally have a 5 stage RO/DI unit, but then again I originally bought it for my reef tanks. It's completely unnecessary for plants. I use it for them simply because I have it.

TacoMac said:

That's his wife's issue: They're wasting as much or more water than they're making. I know a good many people who have issues with that.

The three stage will produce perfectly fine water for any need they have. He's not doing surgery, folks. He's watering plants.

I personally have a 5 stage RO/DI unit, but then again I originally bought it for my reef tanks. It's completely unnecessary for plants. I use it for them simply because I have it.

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boy, you must know his wife pretty well,lol. He obviously is concerned about the amount of waste water, if you bothered to read my whole post, or maybe you didn't comprehend my post, I said, new units now have a 2-1 or even 1-1 waste to good, instead of the old one with a 9-1 waste to good, so if he bought a NEW unit, his wife won't have to worry.

It's you who are reading impaired.

The fact is that no matter what system you use, you are wasting AT LEAST as much as you're making. Add to that the fact that RO water is completely unnecessary for plants to begin with, and your non-point becomes nothing more than posturing on your part.

When I run out of rain water, I just use one of these on the end of my hose.
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=boogie+brew+filter&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=7016235383&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_902hcu969k_e

Just pee on the plants, filter it yourself haha

Running the water in the sink while brushing teeth, taking a shower, washing dishes... wastes a hell of a lot more water then a modern RO

What you gain is total control of the quality and ratio of mineral salts in your nutes

My water is pretty good tasting....not too much chlorine taste....So, I just got one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007I6MN72/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1#Ask

It gets rid of some of the other junk in the water. I do know that it raises the pH of the water, though. I counteract that with a little bit of pH Down solution....and seems to work fine.

I wouldn't mind a better one though. I'll probably be looking into one or two models eventually.

PetFlora said:

If your water is > 250ppm, you need an RO system. Get one with a booster pump and water loss is minimal

This is the one I use

https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7P-AK-Permeate-compatible-Alkaline/dp/B005LKKMYS/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1466169520&sr=8-34&keywords=reverse+osmosis

Click to expand...

Just a question but do you really need, or even want, the alkaline remineralization stage? I don't know for sure but it sounds like it's adding back to adjust pH? If that's the case it really wouldn't be 0 ppm anymore. Would the five stage be better? Same setup minus the remineralization stage.

ShyGuru said:

Just a question but do you really need, or even want, the alkaline remineralization stage? I don't know for sure but it sounds like it's adding back to adjust pH? If that's the case it really wouldn't be 0 ppm anymore. Would the five stage be better? Same setup minus the remineralization stage.

Click to expand...

That is for human consumption. Easy to bypass, as I did, simply place the outlet tubing before the mineral filter

Soil is more forgiving with hard water

Rrog said:

Soil is more forgiving with hard water

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Doesn't it result in nutrient lockout?

Not in soil

Rrog said:

Not in soil

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So what about promix hp?

And why does it not affect soil?

Microbes in a proper soil will will move the pH where it needs to be

My ph isn't the issue.

It's the salt and minerals.

400ppm from the tap.

Over generations of no-till, Ca and Mg build up - yep. Sorry for not following along