RO and nitrates

[Tommy Saville]

If I install a RO filter unit, will it remove 100% of the nitrates in my tap water? Currently, my nitrate-removing filter cartridges are costing me $1.60 a day to do that.

[Chad Hughes]

Yes, it will remove most of it. DI is another added step in creating PURE water.

What nitrate filter are you using now?

[Tommy Saville]

It's a Pozzani resin-exchange cartridge filter. It treats 650 litres of water, removing nitrates 100%.

[Chad Hughes]

That's basically an anion exchange resin then. You should be able to recharge that with a strong base to save some money. I recharge my DI mixed bed. Saves a ton of $$!

RO filtration will reduce the work load on the resin bed. The trade off is you'll be using a lot more water unless you have a plant to utilize the RO rejection water for irrigation or something.

[Tommy Saville]

That's basically an anion exchange resin then. You should be able to recharge that with a strong base to save some money. I recharge my DI mixed bed. Saves a ton of $$!

RO filtration will reduce the work load on the resin bed. The trade off is you'll be using a lot more water unless you have a plant to utilize the RO rejection water for irrigation or something.
Explain "strong base" please....

[lipadj46]

Explain "strong base" please....

Sodium hydroxide is an easy one to get

sent from an undisclosed location using morse code

[Tommy Saville]

Thanks, I'll try the next one to be exhausted......

[Chad Hughes]

Or lye. :)

[Tommy Saville]

Thanks, I'll try the next one to be exhausted......
Next question is ...how do I do the job? What strength of NaOH solution and for how long is the cartridge immersed?

[Chad Hughes]

Does your cartridge contain granular media or is it a solid cartridge? Most DI cartridges are filled with resin.

[Tommy Saville]

Does your cartridge contain granular media or is it a solid cartridge? Most DI cartridges are filled with resin.
Fine granular resin, not guaranteed best quality (?).

[Chad Hughes]

Here's a good link (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-09/nftt/index.php) as to what you'll need to do...

[Tommy Saville]

Thanks...that's very informative.