RO System - Is this any good ??

[Partridge9]

Anyone got an RO System - kinda looking at this ...

http://www.aquaeuro.ie/Details_eu.asp?ProductID=1294

[Partridge9]

I have not ..

Its great that you can test your water hardness so easily. You should considering recording the results - to build up a profile - maybe you will see patterns developing according to times of year.

I can only presume (from boiling and taste) that its 80-140

I am completely reviewing my approach to water - I have a Post Carbon filter that is great for removing Chlorine and Fluoride.

Beyond that - I really need to do a lab test to get an idea of the profile (more than just hardness)

My logic would be

1) Do a lab test - to find out my profile
2) Get an RO System

Then to use 70% RO water and 30% Filtered water - and make water additions as necessary.

Of course if my profile matched the profile of the beer I could use 70% filtered and 30% RO.

FYI - I do like the idea of testing the water for hardness - that tester from china that instantly tested hardness was pretty good.


James

[brenmurph]

http://www.water2buy.ie/reverse-osmosis-9/aquasmart-5-stage-pumped-reverse-osmosis-water-purification-system-free-filter-yearly-replacement-set-73.html

thjis is bargain of the year.
Ive been using RO for 5  years now, fab system. Water hardness is always trace ( 5-10ppm)
Be aware RO systems only give you a 2 or 3 gallon storage in the supplied tank. it then takes a couple of hours to fill up again.  The system in the link is a top of the range pumped system which refills faster, strange thing is its a lot cheaper than the non-pumped version.

Any questions pass them on to me.

[brenmurph]

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/140869135760?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

this is the water hardness tester, another bargain. about 13 euros inc shipping. Please note its from china and takes about 4 weeks. Theres no taxes or customs on any package under 22 euros.

[brenmurph]

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Digital-TDS3-TEMP-PPM-TDS-Meter-Tester-Filter-Pen-Stick-Water-Quality-Purity-UK-/370669140108?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item564d9a388c#ht_50wt_1154

just got one for 11.78 Euro from our chums across the water [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Good find, u should have it in a few days if its actually in UK!

I find mine highly accurate. There is a calibration that can be done on them as well.

[Will_D]

Please have a look at my first post here:

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1360594799/new#new

I know about the calculators but consider this to be off my topic

We really need to start with the basics.

[brenmurph]

http://www.water2buy.ie/reverse-osmosis-9/aquasmart-5-stage-pumped-reverse-osmosis-water-purification-system-free-filter-yearly-replacement-set-73.html

thjis is bargain of the year.
Ive been using RO for 5  years now, fab system. Water hardness is always trace ( 5-10ppm)
Be aware RO systems only give you a 2 or 3 gallon storage in the supplied tank. it then takes a couple of hours to fill up again.  The system in the link is a top of the range pumped system which refills faster, strange thing is its a lot cheaper than the non-pumped version.

Any questions pass them on to me.

Thought this topic was about RO and water hardness.  RO as far as I know takes all hardness out (permanant and temporary) This might allow the user of RO water to add back exactly what they need for the planned beer style.
I feel that simplifies the brew process somewhat.

Also the TDS meter mentioned in this post is to test that your RO is operating efficiently. My RO water reads about 5ppm while my tap water which is already gone through a water softening system reads 150-175.

Hopes this helps clarify RO and TDS testing of the produced RO water.
That does not mean the TDS meter is not a usefull piece of homebrew kit.

[Ciderhead]

2 posts kicking around on this device this is the best place

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Digital-TDS3-TEMP-PPM-TDS-Meter-Tester-Filter-Pen-Stick-Water-Quality-Purity-UK-/370669140108?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item564d9a388c#ht_10wt_1128

Ok it arrived in the post and I just tested my well water 152 and ambient boiled water 135
Will when I drop by later in the week you can walk me through it.

[RichC]

2 posts kicking around on this device this is the best place

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Digital-TDS3-TEMP-PPM-TDS-Meter-Tester-Filter-Pen-Stick-Water-Quality-Purity-UK-/370669140108?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item564d9a388c#ht_10wt_1128

Ok it arrived in the post and I just tested my well water 152 and ambient boiled water 135
Will when I drop by later in the week you can walk me through it.

Tempted to get one myself. I use RO but I've got one of the 'non pumped' systems that Bren mentioned. Its a bit of a pain becuase I have to plan my brew a few days in advance(although I do this anyway) and I draw about 10litres a day and bottle it(AJ Delange says he did this for years so I'm in good company). Would love to know how well my RO system is working because I dont always change membrane and filters as often as recommended..

[Will_D]

I'm pretty sure that when they state " 6 months then change the filters " they are referring to a typical families usage: "2 adults + 3 kids (err may be 5 ) + dog"

If its purely for HB then the chemistry says many years.

One thing to worry about and check in the instructions is about a bacterial ( probably silver ) filter if fitted.

As long as you boil your water as we do in brewing then all is OK.

Have heard that some neglected water systems actually produce more bacteria than they start with!

[RichC]

I'm pretty sure that when they state " 6 months then change the filters " they are referring to a typical families usage: "2 adults + 3 kids (err may be 5 ) + dog"

If its purely for HB then the chemistry says many years.

One thing to worry about and check in the instructions is about a bacterial ( probably silver ) filter if fitted.

As long as you boil your water as we do in brewing then all is OK.

Have heard that some neglected water systems actually produce more bacteria than they start with!

Mines used by the family. In a 5 stage unit there's an RO membrane which is the most expensive to change. It's the RO membrane that removes bacteria apparently! The other filtration stages are recommended to be changed 6 monthly and the membrane annually for 'normal' usage

[RichC]

This is the system I was considering when I got pissed off filling bottles in advance(doesn't really bother me now). It doesn't use a storage tank so should fill boiler very quickly. The supplier was very responsive and helpful when I emailed them.
http://www.vyair.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=129

[brenmurph]

RO cheaper on here in Ireland than anywhere Ive seen in UK, http://www.water2buy.ie/reverse-osmosis-9/aquasmart-5-stage-pumped-reverse-osmosis-water-purification-system-5.html
this includes shipping.
So please consider shipping cost from uk and also if its not working whos going to pay to sent it back..

[brenmurph]

This is the system I was considering when I got pissed off filling bottles in advance(doesn't really bother me now). It doesn't use a storage tank so should fill boiler very quickly. The supplier was very responsive and helpful when I emailed them.
http://www.vyair.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=129

I would be very careful about flow rate, I ve been using RO for several years and cant see how it can work without a tank to be honest. Even with 2 RO membranes and a pump I think theres little chance you will get an endless flow of water and the 100 gallon a day is a little optimistic. It may be worth digging a little deeper.
If ur near kildare drop over, I have 3 systems, one pumped and your post gave me the idea to take an RO off one double up on another so I have a pumped twin RO as in your post and see how it flows. I cant understand why you wouldnt have a tank anyway. Why not consider a normal RO system and a tank the size you need? I might ring around. Wouldnt it be great if we could get a 5-gallon storage tank instead of a 2 gall that comes with an RO system?

Just be careful you end up with something that works as you want it. The price is dear considering theres no 5th filter and no tank included. Ring Water2buy in galway and see can they sell u a a kit with 2 tanks

[kev]

http://www.ro-man.com is another source, we use them in work.

All the units I've seen are painfully slow so using a bigger storage container would be ideal.