I have hard water ~20 grain or ~ 350 ppm as CaCO3. Since I have a water softener, do I connect the RO to my city water or after the softener?
1778036
After the softener will give you more RO water and your filters will last longer.
1778037
After the softener. The filters in your RO unit will last longer, and it will also remove most of the saline residue left in your water from the softener.
1513255
When I first bought this filtration system, I ran a water test. It turns out most of solubles are still in water. I suspect you will not eliminate hard water residue with this filter.
466803
There is no need to worry about weather or not you tap a line with or without a water sofener. The main concern is that you have suffecient flow to make the pump create a vaccum. The higher the flow the better. I think the minimun flow requirements is 5 gallons. It would be better to get it before the softener because it reduces to available flow to the device. Maybe you can increase to pressure on the system. I have a question for you, do you have a back up generator? It sounds like your on a well system.
1545385
im not sure. I had a softener for 15 years before I bought this. I still use the softener... all I can say, is that my water is 10x better than before.
205130
I have a softener and a reverse osmosis system so I use water from the RO system for the iron. I used the same filtered water for Rowenta that the new one replaced and never had any problems or had to clean it the 10 years we owned it. If I were going to use bottled water I would use distilled. It's cheaper and purer than spring water.
1112691
I was going to install RO in my house until I found out that RO water eats copper tubing (which was already installed to the icemaker and remote sink) so I went to a micro filter instead. RO removes so much from water that it is extra corrosive to all types of metals. This I learned from an industrial chemical engineer.
370773
My filtering out the chorine, it definitely softens as well though I don't know if it claims to do that. We still use a water softener for the mineral issue.
466802
If you haven't already, I would call the company. They are very informative and easy to talk to. They recommend the straightest shot from the meter to the pump to get the most pressure. Mine goes to my basepump after many branches and it works fine. If you pass the 5 gal bucket test, you are probably fine. Another point - Everyone I know with a water softener has a well. You need city water for the basepump. No power would equal no well water.
1973621
White vinegar, but there should be instructions how to do this. I would go to the manufacturer's site and see if the directions are posted there. Salt will just add more hard water build-up.
1301145
I live in Southern Calif. and our water here is HARD with dissolved salts and minerals. I bought one to use with my hydroponics water source and it DID NOT remove or change the PPM from that tested before I installed it on the hose.
960636
I reviewed the other answers, they are spot on, my only other advice is to make sure your water is very cold and add an additive to take out hard water minerals if you aren't using filtered water.
863623
The difference is basically your volume of water use. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this product. I live in Oxford, Pa. where this water conditioner is distributed in USA. I have well water that is very hard and I use a traditional salt water softener. I have used this for over 6 months and while this cannot soften water, it is supposed to stop scale buildup. Well, there is no change in scale buildup and I can't see any positive results. I had to re-connect my salt based conditioner. I really wanted this product to work, considering it affects my local economy, but sadly it is useless. I should have listened to local plumbers who told me it is a waste of money. The difference is basically your volume of water use. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this product. I live in Oxford, Pa. where this water conditioner is distributed in USA. I have well water that is very hard and I use a traditional salt water softener. I have used this for over 6 months and while this cannot soften water, it is supposed to stop scale buildup. Well, there is no change in scale buildup and I can't see any positive results. I had to re-connect my salt based conditioner. I really wanted this product to work, considering it affects my local economy, but sadly it is useless. I... » Read More The difference is basically your volume of water use. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this product. I live in Oxford, Pa. where this water conditioner is distributed in USA. I have well water that is very hard and I use a traditional salt water softener. I have used this for over 6 months and while this cannot soften water, it is supposed to stop scale buildup. Well, there is no change in scale buildup and I can't see any positive results. I had to re-connect my salt based conditioner. I really wanted this product to work, considering it affects my local economy, but sadly it is useless. I should have listened to local plumbers who told me it is a waste of money. « Show Less
2136496
Hi, I can't say for sure as I have she Noritz, but I have a water softener. I do know there are many recommendations that if you have hard water something should be done to prevent build up.I assume you're considering a tankless as a move away from a tank style water heater. If your tank style did not last many years I'd suggest something to protect the tankless. This of this. These units run water through small tubes that are heated to make hot water. These tubes wouldn't take much to be come clogged. Hope I was of some help.
1557912
I use Mortons rust out, because my well has a high iron content, but depending on your water condition, you can probably any good water softener salt. unit does a great job, and uses very little salt
342642
As a ceramic filter, it filters out most but not all minerals, but not ions. My water starts off hard (a lot of dissolved calcium) and ends up hard. RO removes everything, but is much more wasteful of water. (every quart of water wastes a quart). If you have high levels of arsenic in your water, than RO is better. Otherwise, the choice is yours.
1279680
Also, technically, it's made out of salts, which is exactly what you use to soften your water. So, considering that, you definitely shouldn't have any trouble. ;)
874454
I would assume you are talking about iron in the water?? Depends on the levels and types of iron you have. You should test and call us 785-735-9769 to discuss options. You may need an iron filter inline first. A water softener will remove lower levels of iron, up to 4 ppm depending on if it is ferric or ferrous.