Well Water, would I be better off...

buying my water from my LFS? I have been talking with the filter guys and they are saying first off my pressure is too low and an RO/DI unit would need a booster pump, second most likely the ph is below 7 most likely in the 6's (I tested the water coming from my tap and it is right around 7 maybe slightly lower) and most likely there is CO2 in my water which would exhaust my DI resin rapidly (which would explain why my DI resin only lasts about a month lately)

they are telling me that I have to set up a fairly complex system in order to remove the CO2 and filter the water properly, I just don't have the money for something like this right now. I have an under the sink RO/DI system running (I need to change the membrane and DI) I unfortunately don't have a TDS meter right now so I don't know how well its working but I know that I'm getting 0 nitrates from the filter and 0.25 phosphates so its obviously not doing a great job and I'm sure there are a good amount of TDS as well so I'm starting to think, until I can get the money together to get a proper system, that I should start buying water from my LFS.

I know there's discussion about how we don't know how often the filters are changed and how well they maintain their system but I'm not sure if I would be any worse for the ware in this situation.

what do you guys think about this?

 

LFS or the Culligan machine from walmart/grocery store.

 

Culligan machine? don't think I've ever seen one of those

 

I apologize I didn't realize there was a water chemistry forum, if a mod feels this would be better suited there then please by all means move this topic

Thanks

 

Tony,

Is it the LFS guys telling you you need to buy water? Depending on how often you make water, it might be easier/cheaper to just buy it. The downside is you really don't know what exactly is in the store water.

How many gallons per day are you thinking of making? Shoot me a PM, I may have something that would do you just fine if you wanted an Ro/Di system with pump/gauge TDS monitor.

 

The water machines at the grocery store. You can buy a couple of 4 gallon jugs and take them there to fill them up. My Walmart charges 32 cents per gallon I believe. I think they are only RO, but still probably better than constantly refreshing your DI with your well water. I did this for over a year with no problems before I got my RO/DI. They are usually located back with the bottled water, but you may have to ask the store. You could also order water, much like office buildings do for their water cooler.

 

No, I haven't even talked to my LFS yet about this, I wanted to get the opinion of the community. In the long run I know it would be better/cheaper for me to make my own water but I'm at the point now that I only need 10 gallons once a week and if I stock pile it in a brute container and I need to do a larger water change for some reason I'll have it.

from the looks of things I'd have to change my DI resin at least monthly and who knows how long my membrane is actually lasting, thats a cost I can't bare right now. I'm pretty sure I can get a 5 gallon bucket of fresh water at my LFS for 2 or 3 bucks...

hmm idk I just checked BRS and their DI resin is only 10.99, 12.99 if I buy the color changing, 12.99 a month is better than 24 a month if it is $3 per 5 gallons so maybe I'd be better off getting myself a handheld TDS meter and just change my resin monthly and see how that works out.