RO/DI with Well Water and Water Softner?

[blueline3]

I just moved in to my new house and we use well water. Now I already have a RO/DI system but the well water we have is high in iron and no good to wash clothes and bath in. So we had a whole house water filter/water softner system installed. Now my question is should I install the RO/DI system after the water filter/softner system I have or before the water filter/softner system? Thanks in advance!!!

[avionics30]

Is your whole house system RO/DI or salt based? If it is RO/DI, you are good to go. Salt based systems are not good for an aquarium. Connect your tank RO/DI system before the house softener. Good luck!

[blueline3]

Its salt based, so i'll install it before the softner. Thanks alot for the quick reply!!

[avionics30]

Good call! No worries. Gook luck!

[Amphiprion]

I would compare what the TDS before and after the softener are. I can bet that the well water TDS will far outweigh the minor amount of salt added to the source water. Therefore, I recommend that you should install your RO/DI unit after your water softener. The added sodium and chloride ions won't affect it as much as your high TDS.

[The Zigman]

I would compare what the TDS before and after the softener are. I can bet that the well water TDS will far outweigh the minor amount of salt added to the source water. Therefore, I recommend that you should install your RO/DI unit after your water softener. The added sodium and chloride ions won't affect it as much as your high TDS.


This is how mine is connected, and someone correct me if I am wrong, but wont DI remove most if not all of the Salt ions added by the softener resin?

[Amphiprion]

This is how mine is connected, and someone correct me if I am wrong, but wont DI remove most if not all of the Salt ions added by the softener resin?

DI resin is highly effective at the removal of most ions, especially sodium and chloride.

[The Zigman]

DI resin is highly effective at the removal of most ions, especially sodium and chloride.


So the if the R/O is connected after the softener, then runs through the DI unit, all should be good right?

[Amphiprion]

So the if the R/O is connected after the softener, then runs through the DI unit, all should be good right?

No problems. You can verify this with your TDS meter. Also, here is an article (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.php) that should clear up any questions you may have.

[blueline3]

Ok so i'll connect it in front of the softener. Thanks alot guys!!! Quick replies

[Amphiprion]

Don't you mean behind the softener (in terms of the direction of water flow)? That would give you the full advantage of having the water softened before it reaches the RO membrane and DI resin.

[kcress]

No - After the softener.

[kaingers]

Amphiprion, Do you have an article that talks about this? I have the same question and would like to read some literature on it before I get my RO system next month.

[Amphiprion]

Amphiprion, Do you have an article that talks about this? I have the same question and would like to read some literature on it before I get my RO system next month.

If you are referring to an article on water softeners, I don't. I do have that article from earlier, which you can use to extrapolate a good bit of information. I can also help you with your decision, if you'd like. Can you give me any specifics on your water, such as its total dissolved solids (some LFSs will test this for you)? That would determine whether or not it would benefit you to have a water softener. Otherwise, there are a number of good units out there.

[blueline3]

Don't you mean behind the softener (in terms of the direction of water flow)? That would give you the full advantage of having the water softened before it reaches the RO membrane and DI resin.

Yes the water will be softened first which means it will be placed after the softener. It looks like this: Well -> pressure tank -> water filter/softener -> to the whole house and a valve to attach RO/DI system to
I'll try to get some pics of the system.

[Amphiprion]

Ok. Just wanted to check and see if we were talking about the same thing. That should work out just fine and prolong the life of your membrane and resins (and depending upon the iron content, probably everything else, since it tends to grow bacteria well).