Apr
18
Mar
28
Multi-Media Filters
Some water filtration companies offer a “fix-all” solution for treatment of water by combining a multitude of media in a single tank. While this is a very effective method for short term treatment, it lacks what we here at BudgetWater.com try to provide every one of our customers: a long term solution that doesn’t need constant attention.
Most of these multi-media filters will combine some or all of the following: calcite, C, birm and activated carbon. Birm media is a type of media that has been in use for decades in water treatment, and can be effective in some cases, but is not the standard solution anymore for several reasons. The actual filtration portion of Birm media is loosely bound to the granular portion, leading to the necessity to replace the media periodically. New media such as our Terminox media, use a solid core of filtration media that will not wear out or lose efficiency over time. Birm media also requires a higher pH than many of these new media, which brings us to our next point.
These multi-media filters are often loaded with calcite, corosex or both, which are acid neutralizer media. These media, when used in a dedicated filter, will typically last 12-36 months, depending on the size of the filter. Since an assortment of media are loaded into a single tank with multi-media filters, these acid neutralizers will run out much faster, leading to a decrease in efficiency and the need to replace the Birm media sooner.
The last point of concern with these multi-media filters is that they often use granular activated carbon as a polishing agent in a process known as “carbon sprinkling.” While this act has limited efficiency in helping reduce tastes and odors to the water initially, carbon is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria, so using a filter with carbon on well water, where there’s no chlorination present, can lead to excessive bacteria in the water and can actually be detrimental to the water quality as well as posing potential health risks.
Here at BudgetWater.com we offer quality advice on treating the water as well as top-of-the-line filtration equipment to ensure that you’re not only satisfied with the water when you first install our equipment, but also for years afterwards. For a recommendation on the best way to treat your water woes, call one of our expert technicians today at 1-800-701-9914.
Feb
20
Digital Water Test Kits for Testing Well Water pH Levels
Digital pH Meter for Well Water Testing
Digital Water Test Kits for Testing Well Water pH Levels
As a well owner you need to know how important it is to check the conditions of your well water. The importance of his can be related to the fuel gauge on a car, you always want to know where you stand. With new technological advances everyday it becomes more and more easy to make sure your well water is tested and within safe conditions, not only for consumption, but for well water filtration system operation as well. We carry many different products for testing well water, from water test strips and drops to digital pH meters and digital TDS meters.
If you have a water filter that does not use any type of chemicals to regenerate or “re-charge” itself, such as our Terminox™ Iron Filter, then you definitely want to keep an eye on the pH of your well water. We’ll use the Terminox™ ISM Iron Filter as an example. With this iron filter, you want to have your pH around 7.5 for optimal performance. When you test your well water with test strips, you will not get a completely accurate result, as these strips are mainly intended for pools and spas, where accuracy isn’t as crucial. A step up from the water test strips would be the water test drops. Drop pH test kits are pretty accurate for well water testing, but the use of color matching is where the flaw of this test kit lies. We all see colors differently and human error can lead to inaccurate results of your well water test. Not only that, but you usually only get whole number results and when you’re working with well water filtration systems you need to have an accurate pH reading.
A handy little pH chart for your reference.
The best way to test your well water would be to use one of our digital pH meters. Our digital pH meters read down to a tenth of a point and as an added bonus provide you with a water temperature reading. Our digital pH meters are delivered pre calibrated to 7.0 and can tell you exactly when you are at a 7.5 pH (which is perfect for the Terminox™ Iron Filter’s optimal performance). At an average cost of $50 they are well worth the money with a battery life of 2-5 years and the ability to be used in all types of water testing, including pools and spa’s.
As we’ve mentioned before, pH is critical with well water iron filtration and we encourage the use of digital pH testers at all times. We also offer Digital TDS meters which we’ll discuss more in a future blog. We offer many other tests kits as well, please take a look at our water test kits page for more information.
If you own a well, arm yourself with the tools professionals use from BudgetWater.com.
-Water Filtration Wizard
Feb
08
How to find your well water flow rate
How to find your well water flow rate
Well Water Flow Rate
Flow rate is important because it’s crucial for back washing a filter correctly. If determining the flow rate is not done properly, the unit will fail in time due to improper back washing.
The following procedure to find your flow rate is very simple and will only take about 2 minutes tops. When the flow rate is determined and given to our techs, people usually get 20+ years of maintenance free quality water.
This is how to determine your flow rate:
All you have to do to get the correct flow rate is go to the nearest faucet past the pressure tank and turn on the water.
At this point, your not measuring or keeping track of time. You simply want the pressure tank to draw down and “click on”.
When this happens, turn off the water and count how many seconds it takes to fill up and “click off”.
Write this number down and then get yourself some type of container you can use to measure the water gathered. Many people will use either a gallon pitcher or a 5 gallon bucket.
At this point, turn on the water and start filling the bucket, you want to keep filling and keep track of how much you get before the pump turns back on, very simple and all done!
To sum it up. You turn on the water until your pressure tank cycles on, shut off and see how many seconds it takes to cycle off. Write down how many seconds. Then turn the water back on and see how much you can gather before the pump cycles back on.
You have all the information we need at this point to figure out your flow rate. Simply pick up the phone and give one of our techs a call at 1-800-701-9914. A example of what we might hear, “Hello Sam, the first part of the test took 30 seconds for the pump to cycle and then I was able to gather 5 gallons before it kicked back on.“
And that’s it! It’s that simple to find your flow rate. Thank you for taking the time to watch BudgetWater.com’s video on finding your flow rate.
Have a great day!
-Water Filtration Wizard
Feb
03
Retention Tank Vacuum Breakers: Why the Vacuum Needs to be Broken
Retention Tank Vacuum Breakers: Why the Vacuum Needs to be Broken
This water filtration retention tank vacuum breaker could save you a LOT of money and headaches.
Retention tanks can be very useful tools for treating water, especially when prolonged contact time with chlorine is necessary. They are pressurized tanks that ensure the water stays in contact for a specific period of time based on the flow rate and the size of the tank. Because retention tanks are pressurized, though, certain precautions must be taken to ensure they work well and don’t get damaged.
Dec
05
Is your water giving you the runs?
Is your water giving you the runs?
Why it may be your water that’s making you run for the toilet…
- Here’s the little poop maker (aka, the rotavirus) up close and personal…
When you find yourself with the thunder down under one of the last places you may think to look for the cause of the problem would be your water. Though, if you don’t have an answer for your troubled stomach, it’s a good place to look. There are many reasons people find themselves afflicted with “The Diarrhea” and sometimes that reason is your water. Here is one possible (albeit rare) cause for the grumbling gastrointestinal discomfort that is, Diarrhea.
Free Water Testing!
