Using well water

cornraker · 10/11/2010, 07:29 PM

Ok so I've had a 125 for a few weeks now and my question is, can I use my well water? I really don't want to invest in a RO/DI filter. I tested it for phosphate and nitrates. No phosphates and no nitrates. Anything else I should test for if I am to use it. BTW it's a FOWLR system. No coral now, and no coral down the road.

Dustin1300 · 10/11/2010, 08:07 PM

I highly doubt parameters are perfect in well water. Well water is going to have a large TDS based on the way I went through filters in a previous house of mine. I'd invest in an RO/DI. This is one of the most important things in the hobby or you will have algae and nutrient problems in the DT. Even if you want just fish only some fish are very easily stressed. Seems like you have some reading to do before you even think about adding a fish to few week old tank

cornraker · 10/11/2010, 08:19 PM

i bought a completely setup tank that was running and we tore it down put the live rock in a cooler with a airstone and saved 60 gallons of water. Put it back up, put the clown that came with it back in, and yea everything is fine. I added 65 gallons of well water to it and everything seems to be ok. I certainly don't want algae all over the place so I guess i'll have to invest in a unit. 4 stage? or will 2-3 stage suffice. Idk much about water filters.

PurdueWaterGuy · 10/11/2010, 08:21 PM

Deep well? Shallow? How many other wells are drawing from the same aquifer? Any current or former industrial sites with pollution problems over the aquifer?

Most deep wells on clean aquifers will have very low nitrates. Phosphate levels vary depending on local mineral deposits.

So yes, your water may be fine NOW. But if there's a drought and the water table drops, or some industrial site's contamination plume finally makes into the aquifer, you might find yourself with a nitrate spike or worse.

RODI isn't exactly cheap, but think of it like health insurance or life insurance - it's a safety net that's there when you really, really need it.

mike_cmu04 · 10/11/2010, 08:28 PM

YOu will need rodi i have a well and my tds into the unit is 600ppm!!!

Lynnmw1208 · 10/11/2010, 08:59 PM

I would use RO/DI. The four stage one should be fine, it's really up to you and how bad your water is. BRS has one for a great price. that's the one I'm going to get for my 125g

cornraker · 10/11/2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurdueWaterGuy

Deep well? Shallow? How many other wells are drawing from the same aquifer? Any current or former industrial sites with pollution problems over the aquifer?

Most deep wells on clean aquifers will have very low nitrates. Phosphate levels vary depending on local mineral deposits.

So yes, your water may be fine NOW. But if there's a drought and the water table drops, or some industrial site's contamination plume finally makes into the aquifer, you might find yourself with a nitrate spike or worse.

RODI isn't exactly cheap, but think of it like health insurance or life insurance - it's a safety net that's there when you really, really need it.

Deep well-220 ft
4 other houses on the same aquifer
Absolutely no industrial sites within many many miles and no pollutants. No fertilizers, no cow pastures. I live in a fairly rural area and there is nothing but hay fields which DO NOT get fertilized.

I still am considering investing. I may get my water thoroughly tested first.

FearTheTerps · 10/11/2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_cmu04

YOu will need rodi i have a well and my tds into the unit is 600ppm!!!

The EPA states that a TDS over 500 ppm should be considered unfit for human consumption. Have you had your water checked to see what levels of what substances are in your water?

cornraker · 10/11/2010, 09:45 PM

Feartheterps, i see your in hagerstown. I'm in Germantown, MD. Do you have a LFS up there or do you have to come down to Frederick?

FearTheTerps · 10/11/2010, 10:10 PM

I go to Mr. Coral in Frederick alot, one of the best local stores Ive ever found. Here in Hagerstown all we have now is the Petco, no LFS anymore.

Have you heard about our local reef club?

http://www.wamas.org/forums/index

If not have a look, its a great club with lots of helpful members.

aleonn · 10/12/2010, 12:44 AM

Got a 5-stage PLUS from Bulk Reef Supply. It costed me about $180 and also included dual TDS meters, pressure gauge, auto shut off valve, and membrane flow kit.

Dustin1300 · 10/12/2010, 06:31 AM

I'd agree with the other posters and that the TDS is going to be rather high. In addition to the RO/DI unit I would get an inline TDS meter and possibly a booster pump. Well driven water from my experience usually has low water pressure. Having optimal pressure to the RO/DI will make the membrane more efficient and will also save you from having to replace the DI portion. I'd also recommend the 75GPD membrane on a unit as it has the best rejection rate and best ratio for good water/waste water.

mtaswt · 10/12/2010, 08:16 AM

I'm on a well (318 feet deep) and apparently the water IS NOT all that great! I just filled my 156 and my DI resin is already depleted! I spoke with BRS and they told me that sounds about right when the water quality isn't that great. The good thing is that the refills are relatively inexpensive.

cornraker · 10/12/2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

I'd agree with the other posters and that the TDS is going to be rather high. In addition to the RO/DI unit I would get an inline TDS meter and possibly a booster pump. Well driven water from my experience usually has low water pressure. Having optimal pressure to the RO/DI will make the membrane more efficient and will also save you from having to replace the DI portion. I'd also recommend the 75GPD membrane on a unit as it has the best rejection rate and best ratio for good water/waste water.

So you saying the higher GPD rating, the less waste water ratio? I was looking at a 25 gallons per day unti

Dustin1300 · 10/12/2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornraker

So you saying the higher GPD rating, the less waste water ratio? I was looking at a 25 gallons per day unti

Not really the case. Overall, the 75 GPD membrane has one of the best ratios of waste water and rejection rate as they tend to fluctuate between membranes.

***If you are worried about waste water you can look at plenty of inventive ways RCers make use of 'waste' water. Just because our aquarium considers it waste does not mean it has practical uses.

cornraker · 10/12/2010, 12:47 PM

Ok. What about pressure wise. How many PSI should i be pushing through that pump. I think my water pressure in my house is at +- 35 psi

Dustin1300 · 10/12/2010, 01:16 PM

From my understanding pressure should be around 50-60 psi. Water outside of this range either is hard on the membrane or when low it produces LOTS of waste water as it does not produce very much 'good water'.

10/11/2010, 07:29 PM	#1
cornraker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 108	Using well water Ok so I've had a 125 for a few weeks now and my question is, can I use my well water? I really don't want to invest in a RO/DI filter. I tested it for phosphate and nitrates. No phosphates and no nitrates. Anything else I should test for if I am to use it. BTW it's a FOWLR system. No coral now, and no coral down the road.

10/11/2010, 08:21 PM	#4
PurdueWaterGuy Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 196	Deep well? Shallow? How many other wells are drawing from the same aquifer? Any current or former industrial sites with pollution problems over the aquifer? Most deep wells on clean aquifers will have very low nitrates. Phosphate levels vary depending on local mineral deposits. So yes, your water may be fine NOW. But if there's a drought and the water table drops, or some industrial site's contamination plume finally makes into the aquifer, you might find yourself with a nitrate spike or worse. RODI isn't exactly cheap, but think of it like health insurance or life insurance - it's a safety net that's there when you really, really need it. __________________ Tim @ home, 90 gallon tank, dry, waiting for the remodelling to be over @ work, 19,000 gallon per day RO, Electrodeionization, Vacuum Degas, 90 cubic feet DI resin - I love my job! Current Tank Info: dry, kind of dusty :-(

10/11/2010, 08:28 PM	#5
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	YOu will need rodi i have a well and my tds into the unit is 600ppm!!! __________________ 92 Gallon corner tank, 2-radion gen 2 led lights, 2 mp40's Current Tank Info: 92 Gallon Corner Tank

10/11/2010, 08:59 PM	#6
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	I would use RO/DI. The four stage one should be fine, it's really up to you and how bad your water is. BRS has one for a great price. that's the one I'm going to get for my 125g __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

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10/11/2010, 08:07 PM	#2
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I highly doubt parameters are perfect in well water. Well water is going to have a large TDS based on the way I went through filters in a previous house of mine. I'd invest in an RO/DI. This is one of the most important things in the hobby or you will have algae and nutrient problems in the DT. Even if you want just fish only some fish are very easily stressed. Seems like you have some reading to do before you even think about adding a fish to few week old tank

10/11/2010, 08:19 PM	#3
cornraker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 108	i bought a completely setup tank that was running and we tore it down put the live rock in a cooler with a airstone and saved 60 gallons of water. Put it back up, put the clown that came with it back in, and yea everything is fine. I added 65 gallons of well water to it and everything seems to be ok. I certainly don't want algae all over the place so I guess i'll have to invest in a unit. 4 stage? or will 2-3 stage suffice. Idk much about water filters.

10/11/2010, 09:45 PM	#9
cornraker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 108	Feartheterps, i see your in hagerstown. I'm in Germantown, MD. Do you have a LFS up there or do you have to come down to Frederick?

10/11/2010, 10:10 PM	#10
FearTheTerps Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hagerstown, Maryland Posts: 87	I go to Mr. Coral in Frederick alot, one of the best local stores Ive ever found. Here in Hagerstown all we have now is the Petco, no LFS anymore. Have you heard about our local reef club? http://www.wamas.org/forums/index If not have a look, its a great club with lots of helpful members.

10/12/2010, 12:44 AM	#11
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	Got a 5-stage PLUS from Bulk Reef Supply. It costed me about $180 and also included dual TDS meters, pressure gauge, auto shut off valve, and membrane flow kit.

10/12/2010, 06:31 AM	#12
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I'd agree with the other posters and that the TDS is going to be rather high. In addition to the RO/DI unit I would get an inline TDS meter and possibly a booster pump. Well driven water from my experience usually has low water pressure. Having optimal pressure to the RO/DI will make the membrane more efficient and will also save you from having to replace the DI portion. I'd also recommend the 75GPD membrane on a unit as it has the best rejection rate and best ratio for good water/waste water.

10/12/2010, 08:16 AM	#13
mtaswt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 428	I'm on a well (318 feet deep) and apparently the water IS NOT all that great! I just filled my 156 and my DI resin is already depleted! I spoke with BRS and they told me that sounds about right when the water quality isn't that great. The good thing is that the refills are relatively inexpensive.

10/12/2010, 12:47 PM	#16
cornraker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 108	Ok. What about pressure wise. How many PSI should i be pushing through that pump. I think my water pressure in my house is at +- 35 psi

10/12/2010, 01:16 PM	#17
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	From my understanding pressure should be around 50-60 psi. Water outside of this range either is hard on the membrane or when low it produces LOTS of waste water as it does not produce very much 'good water'.