Sediment & Carbon Filter Recommendations

[dwood5]

I have a whole house system with 2 big blue filters; one sediment and the other is carbon. Over the past several years I have utlized Pentek products: ECP5-20BB sediment filter; on the carbon side, I have utilized a RFC20-BB or a GAC-20BB.

I change (washout) the sediment filter about 1/month, and replace after about 6 months use. I replace the carbon filter about once every 10-12 weeks, depending on use.

In addition, I utilize potassium choride in order to avoid red rust when operating the sprinkler system.

I have had my water tested on a couple of occasions, no issues.

Questions -Can I improve my water quality in any way/Are there better products that I should consider, such as:
1. Should I consider a 1 micron sediment filter vs the 5 micron I use today?
2. Are there better carbon filter solutions that I should consider? (I have seen reference to MCB-Modified Carbon Block filters, is this a better solution?
3. Any difference between the RFC20-BB vs. the GAC-20BB?
4.Any other advice is appreciated, thanks for listening.

[Andy CWS]

Clearly, you are serious about your water quality. You have presented some clear aspects of your water treatment and attempts to solve problems.

However, no one will be able to give you adequate advice without knowing you source water quality. Have you water tested for hardness, iron, TDS, (chlorine) and chlorides and sulfides if possible.

Approximately how many gallons per day do you use? Well or city? What is the water used for? How do you determine it is time for a filter change?

A one-micron filter may not improve water and will probably reduce flow considerably.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[Jerry King]

HI Andy,It seems you are the expert here. I have a home 40 years old back in the woods next to the Potomac river.
The river is about 100 feet from the house and on a small cliff, may be 40 feet. We have well water with a softener on it which helps get most the sediment out of the water but some still get past it and leaves stains on the sinks.
I want to put a whole house system like the Lowe's Whelj1 by whirlpool. it will have to go before the softener because we have problems once in a while with the sediment clogging up one of the small holes on the softener.and also need clean water without salt for watering plants. Can you think of a better filter? We have tried the filter pack type but they are a pain to replace as often as needed. There are only 5 people on the system and most of them are not around much we just have very dirty water. The one problem I can see in installing the whole house filter is the drain. We would have to pump it up and out of the house. Any suggestions on the best way to clean the water up before the softener? I might add with the softener on the water looks clean and does a fairly good job when before the softener the water looked dirty. Thanks

[Andy CWS]

The Whirlpool unit is a cheap (in price, maybe quality) unit. It would work to remove marginal sediment but not recommended for any sulfur odors. This unit has 6lbs of gravel, 5lbs of sand and 10lbs of granular carbon. It can be set for a manual cleaning or automatic.

Personally, I don't recommend carbon as an initial filteration (bacteria infestation and such) on well waters but it may be OK for your situation. 5lbs of sand is not a very deep bed but may be adequate for light filteration. The carbon would beed to be replaced after a given period of time as breakdown and adsorption eventually exhaust the media.

But at about $300 plus dollars, it might be a good choice. If I could rebed it, I would replace the carbon with Filter Ag. I have looked at them, too. I don't recommend their softeners as their failure rate is rather high and that would be the only thing putting me on the fence about this one. I just can't speak on the reliability and effectiveness of this one.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[Jerry King]

The Whirlpool unit is a cheap (in price, maybe quality) unit. It would work to remove marginal sediment but not recommended for any sulfur odors. This unit has 6lbs of gravel, 5lbs of sand and 10lbs of granular carbon. It can be set for a manual cleaning or automatic.

Personally, I don't recommend carbon as an initial filteration (bacteria infestation and such) on well waters but it may be OK for your situation. 5lbs of sand is not a very deep bed but may be adequate for light filteration. The carbon would beed to be replaced after a given period of time as breakdown and adsorption eventually exhaust the media.

But at about $300 plus dollars, it might be a good choice. If I could rebed it, I would replace the carbon with Filter Ag. I have looked at them, too. I don't recommend their softeners as their failure rate is rather high and that would be the only thing putting me on the fence about this one. I just can't speak on the reliability and effectiveness of this one.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II

Is there one you would recommend. I have a UV and the softener but the silt or what ever it is still gets through. Cost me 140 to repair the washer last week so a good filter is worth paying for.