Home filtration

Rob.D · Nov 16, 2017

Hey Reef2Reefers, does anyone have any experience with a whole house filter? What I'd like to do is have a sediment and carbon filter to set before the water heater and house faucets. I have my house set on a PEX manifold, the main water supply comes in from the street to the manifold.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/SharkBite-3-4-in-dia-Brass-Plastic-PEX-Manifold-Crimp-Fitting/1000182877

Breadman03 · Nov 16, 2017

I grew up with whole house filters. Go with a large housing and at two filters, one with a higher micron rating and one with a lower rating. I want to say like 50 and 15 microns are a good combination.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 16, 2017

I think you'd be better served by using a single whole house filter. So just the basic sediment filter.

Then use a carbon and other(lead ammonia copper) filter near drinking water outlets. It'll save you on filter changes.

Ocelaris · Nov 16, 2017

It depends greatly on your source water. I have relatively high TDS ~350, but not a lot of sediment. I put smallish 10" (big blue style) 25 micron carbon filter on the house a few months ago and it's been great. I've heard terrible things about filters that small though with pressure drop. But we already have decent 70psi pressure, so I can tolerate a bit of a drop. I expect the filter to last about 2-3 months, and it's 10-15$ a filter. It was on sale though, so the initial investment and filters was only about $100 with all the fittings, ball valves etc... I have it ahead of my water softener, and so far it's lasted longer than I anticipated. If I was paying full price and I had room, I'd get a single 20" 25 micron carbon filter, or sediment + carbon if I had sediment in the water.

rushbattle · Nov 16, 2017

I have a 4”x20” 50/5 micron combo sediment, bone char and GAC mixed media canister, then 5 micron carbon block running ahead of my water softener. Feeds the whole house. Works great, and really improves the rodi unit performance. I have been using the same filters with zero chloramine breakthrough for over a year. I have 550-1000 tds. My sediment filter really impresses me as there is quite a bit to filter in my water.

Rob.D · Nov 16, 2017

Wow, great info!!!
I think I'll check TDS over the next few weeks to see which will be needed most.

As far as sediment goes, I know it will need to be changed out quite often, the local lines are galvanized steel and they won't be changing those anytime soon. I am in the middle of remodeling my house so parts of the house is now PEX line.