[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by canadawest

Hey Victor,

I find when I buy the 1 micron filters I have to change them more often (every 3-4 months) than when I buy the 5-10 micron filters (4-6 months average life). So as a compromise I buy the 1 micron sediment filters as they are really cheap, and a 5 or 10 micron carbon block filter as it's the carbon filter that seems to affect the pressure more so than the sediment filter when clogged up.

This combination tends to give me around 6 months useful life before the pressure drops too low (clogged up) and peace of mind that I'm changing the carbon filter frequently enough to avoid chlorine damage to the expensive RO membrane. The other train of thought is that the 1 micron sediment filter should pick up most of the particulate before it even gets to the 5 or 10 micron carbon block filter, thus the carbon filter allows better flow for a longer period of time before getting clogged up.

Also to extend the life of my cartridges and reduce sediment I run my cold water line for 30 secs before running it through the RO/DI unit. This way most sediment (or whatever) is flushed through before getting into the unit.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Getting a larger carbon block isn't the way to go IMHO, by doing that you risk some water passing through with out being treated. the best way to take care of this is keep the small micron carbon block, have a 1 micron sediment infront of it, and then put a 10 micron sediment in front of that..

that Pic of your filters looks exactly like mine and the examples from 4 different drinking water RO installers.. the water in lower mainland and on the island is unusalyhigh in algae beause of out warm temps and the lack of filtering for it. a 10 micron sediment cartrage is 8.00 and would be a lot cheeper to replace than your carbon block. Sure the inital iunvestment includs a 30.00 filter housing and a niple to plumb them togeather but you also get a extra stage of filtrating also.

JMHO

Steve