Alternative For Ro Unit?

[RadaR]

Is there another way to purifiy and soften water without an RO unit?

 

[nmonks]

Yes. Collect rainwater. Cheap to set up, costs nothing to run. Not a 100% reliable system because rainfall varies over the year, but good enough most of the time. Unless you live near a horrible factory, the risk of pollution is only as great as the amount of muck in your gutters. Carbon and a net will catch these nasties: pour the water through a net to remove leaves and things, and then put carbon in the filter to remove any dissolved organics.

Cheers,

Neale

Is there another way to purifiy and soften water without an RO unit?

 

[RadaR]

Cool! Thanks alot

 

[Themuleous]

Is it really that simple? Just run it through carbon? You have an DIY tips for making the carbon pod? I have seen carbon pods for taps, but guess that would be the expensive way of doing things!

So to go on but also, when you say nasties, I take it you dont need to add anything? I guess cutting it with tap woul be necessary though to get the right KH/GH?

Thanks

Sam

 

[nmonks]

Well, that's what I do, and my fish are fine (so far as I can tell). As far as carbon filtering goes, fill a small air or electric filter with carbon (and nothing else) and then leave it running in the bucket of water for however long you think is reasonable. Half an hour should be fine. Enough to turn the water over at least once.

To be honest, I don't bother. Whatever trace nasties are in the rainwater, they're a fraction of what's in mains supply water. You don't see pond fish dying after every rainstorm, so it can't be that toxic. I do add some mains water just to give the aquarium some mineral salts and to help buffer the pH. Also add dechlorinater accordingly. Really, the worst stuff in the rainwater will be what it's picked up from your roof tiles and in the gutter, and it will only be in contact with those for seconds. Clean out the gutter if you can, and strain off the leaves and things with a net as you pour water from the barrel into your bucket.

Cheers,

Neale

Is it really that simple?

 

[Themuleous]

Cheers Neale, I think I'll give that a try! If i can reduce my RO use that would be great.

Sam

 

[OohFeeshy]

Making a DIY water filter is pretty easy too, just get your hands on some ion exchange resin and carbon. The resin needs recharging with salt every so often, but swaps calciumions for sodium ions so softens the water. The carbon will need replacing monthly too.

 

[RadaR]

Great, that should save me buying an RO unit. I don't desperatly need one just fancied getting one, so I wont be getting Discus or anything.