I have one 20" x 2.5 and I need more filtration. I am trying to design a set up for triple big blue filters. Anyone care to share their set ups? I am thinking a spin down SS filter then triple BB filters with pressure gauges before and after. I would like to see other peoples set up's and ideas.
Whole house water filter systems?
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CurlyDave
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I run two filters in series. From memory, there is a 25 micron pleated filter, followed by a 5 micron wound filter in two separate housings about 20" long and 5" or 6" in diameter. Our water was very silty when I installed them, but a new well produces much better water and I have not had to change the elements in 2 years. Before the new well, water was turbid, but no bacterial contamination. At that time I changed the filters about every 9 months, and the filtered water was clear.
I thought about pressure gauges, but saved the complexity by using Curly's patented simple shower test. If there is enough water flow to take a satisfying shower, the filters are OK. If not, it is time to change them.
According the to the water softener, we use 163 gallons per day. We do not really practice any type of water conservation, since we have both a private well and a private septic. While this seems high to me, it is only 0.11 gallons per minute. We do have a front loading washer which uses less water, but harbors large amounts of black mold. When the budget allows, we will get a new one, hopefully mold free.
The septic was designed for either 0.25 or 0.35 GPM, don't remember exactly, but we are far under its capacity.
I thought about pressure gauges, but saved the complexity by using Curly's patented simple shower test. If there is enough water flow to take a satisfying shower, the filters are OK. If not, it is time to change them.
According the to the water softener, we use 163 gallons per day. We do not really practice any type of water conservation, since we have both a private well and a private septic. While this seems high to me, it is only 0.11 gallons per minute. We do have a front loading washer which uses less water, but harbors large amounts of black mold. When the budget allows, we will get a new one, hopefully mold free.
The septic was designed for either 0.25 or 0.35 GPM, don't remember exactly, but we are far under its capacity.
Sure. One smaller prefilter with a cartridge intended for bigger stuff. One large cartridge with a smaller pass spec (forgot the specifics). We have quite a lot of plain old dirt, but still don't need frequent changes. We mostly use the Curly Dave Shower Test. The large cartridge gets dirty-looking after about a year, so we change them both then, or earlier if indicated by the shower test. My best advice - make sure to get the CLEAR filter housings. But I've only ever seen them for the large cartridge/housing.
Little bitty one with a "super filter" for basement ice maker.
Bypass lines for it all.
Little bitty one with a "super filter" for basement ice maker.
Bypass lines for it all.
doxford jim
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I have two Rainfresh water filters installed in my water system. They are fitted by the water softener. Water goes through the 5 micron filter, then through the softener and then through the 1 micron filter. Our well water is both muddy and hard and this setup seems to work well. I change the water filters every two months. House water is very soft and clean after filtration.
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I have one of these where the well water comes in under my house. (crawlspace) Its a little inconvenient but I change our carbon wrapped 5 micron filter ever 3 or 4 months just because I don't like the water to stop while I'm taking a shower.
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teejk
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Becoming an "industry" now...all depends where you live I think. E.g. we have zero need for a water-softener here (granite bedrock, no lime). We filter for iron (like A LOT). I do have to get it tested though because the water may be a bit towards the acid side and I guess the results are coming in on Pex fittings not liking that after a few years (in which case I won't be looking at filters, I'll be looking at "treatment").
TnAndy
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We have sort of a complex situation, a gravity fed spring is our primary, with a drilled well as a backup.
The spring we used for 30 years, but only gives us about 25psi at the house.....you learn to live with it. Last year, I put an inline booster pump, which switches on at 55 and off at 80....and that has been a great improvement.
For filtration, I used a mesh filter pre-screen, then a 4.5x10 x 5micron main filter, then an 8gpm UV light.
The spring and well are plumbed so I can run either with the flip of a few valves. The small pressure tank is for the inline booster pump, the larger one for the well. The well, we have plumbed outside for hydrants and garden irrigation.
The large gray box up high on the wall is a steam generator for the master bath shower located directly above.
The spring we used for 30 years, but only gives us about 25psi at the house.....you learn to live with it. Last year, I put an inline booster pump, which switches on at 55 and off at 80....and that has been a great improvement.
For filtration, I used a mesh filter pre-screen, then a 4.5x10 x 5micron main filter, then an 8gpm UV light.
The spring and well are plumbed so I can run either with the flip of a few valves. The small pressure tank is for the inline booster pump, the larger one for the well. The well, we have plumbed outside for hydrants and garden irrigation.
The large gray box up high on the wall is a steam generator for the master bath shower located directly above.
Great thanks for the ideas folks, it's much appreciated. I am hoping that the 14 month old 1000' well is just pulling some tailings still as some folks around here have suggested. The well guy said ours did not blow well after it was drilled?? He said some "blow" better than others and some take longer to clean up. I am waiting a few other small parts to arrive before I get rolling on this set up. I did end up going with a 70 micron sediment / spin down filter with the SS screen. This will then go into a pressure gauge and then the triple big blue 20x4.5 filters. The first BB will have a 50 micron, followed by a 20 and then a 5. There will then be another pressure gauge so I can get an idea of how loaded the filters are. Like CurlyDave, I use the shower as a true gauge as to when the filters are loaded. I am thinking of doing a bypass in case I need to do any maintenance or repairs in the future. I used this as an excuse to buy a new PEX multi-tool and remover 
CurlyDave
Elite Member
... I am thinking of doing a bypass in case I need to do any maintenance or repairs in the future. I used this as an excuse to buy a new PEX multi-tool and remover
I would skip the bypass. The only thing it is going to do for you is to allow you to fill the pipes in the house with dirty water.
What I do is invest in some spares instead of a bypass. I keep extra filter elements, and an extra filter o-ring on hand. This lets me change the filters in a few minutes and we are back in business with fresh filters. Then I can pick up new ones at my leisure.
Professor Marvel
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I have well water that tastes great but leaves calcium deposits on all my fixtures. Looking for a filter that will remove scale or calcium. Already filter for sediment which is fine at times and worse at other times. any suggestions? I am trying to avoid the water softener issue.