are chloramines in the water around here? specifically odenton md?

[turbo2oh]

Looking to buy an RO/DI and looking at the options on BRS I see there is a price jump for the chloromines models. Is this necessary? Also is there a big difference between the 4 and 5 stage models?

 

Thanks!

Phil

[gmerek2]

I have the 5 stage. 75GPD. It's worth the extra money to get the inline TDS meter. You get more out of your DI resin (the final filter that has to be changed most often) because you can see the number change from 0 to 1 then you know it's time to change. Not sure about your chloramines question tagging along

[Der ABT]

Chloramines depends on where you are...looks at your county/city water report and or website and they will have all you need to know,

fairfax and arlington i know for sure use chloramines (should be a sticky up here about them using chloring to flush the system)

 

I feel the added stage of activated carbon does help (basically get a refillable cartridge and an extra stage and thats your chloramine filter (goes after the floss filter), i have not used the carbon blocks specific to chloramines just yet however.

if you call the water company they have a little spurt about how activiated carbon can take out a bunch of stuff in the water.

 

just make sure you rinse it really well just like normal carbon

[Orion]

I live near you and have a 4 stage BRS RO/DI unit with the TDS meter, pressure gauge, and 150gpd upgrade kit. I have never run into a problem with our water here. TDS is around 100 coming from the tap, 3-5 on the input, and 0 output. I don't think you'll need the chloromine model.

 

I am also very diligent when it comes to replacing the filters.

[Orion]

By the way I am sure someone on here will do a BRS group buy soon. Wait until that happens and you'll save some cash on a BRS unit.

[jaddc]

Chlorine is efficiently removed by a carbon filter (think Brita), chloramine is not (which is why cheap water filters are largely a waste in DC).

 

In chloramine areas (like the DC/NOVA area) typically, what we do is add a second, higher-grade, carbon filter to increase contact time to remove the chloramines. 

 

If your RODI is set up to remove chloramines, then it will remove chlorine (even when used for a system flush which is happening now in DC/NOVA).

 

Compared to the 4 stage, the additional carbon block of a 5 stage adds more carbon surface area for pre-RO filtration -- never a bad thing if you can spring for it. It will extend the life of your RO membrane.

 

The chloramine kits use a higher grade carbon filter to account for the lower efficiency of chloramine filtering. BRS also installs a bypass so you can rinse your carbon and not clog the high efficiency carbon filter.  

 

All that said -- Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and WSSC use chlorine. So you can opt for the cheaper system.

Edited April 1, 2014 by jaddc

[turbo2oh]

Thanks for the info! I'll keep an eye out for a group buy but I 'd like to get the tank setup sooner than later. Based on your advice I'll mostl likely be getting the 5-stage non-chloromine model.

[jaddc]

Alternatively you can start a group buy. BRS is really easy and as an organizer you get a few nice perks.

 

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/customer-center/group-buys

[gmerek2]

Thanks for the info! I'll keep an eye out for a group buy but I 'd like to get the tank setup sooner than later. Based on your advice I'll mostl likely be getting the 5-stage non-chloromine model.

I just started one I need a bunch of stuff also. All I need is 1) your last name 2) your BRS login email