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rivetcatcher
Joined: 21 Apr 2016 Posts: 132 Location: Thailand
Drinking: Way Out Wheat - Mindcircus
Working on: Zombie Dust
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Link Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 11:49 am Post subject: Filtering softened water |
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The water at my house comes from a well and is very hard. The water passes through a softener and then a filter before being distributed around the house.
I understand that water that has been through a softener must not be used for brewing. To get around this I was planning on installing an additional reverse osmosis filter in my brewery to achieve a blank slate so that I could add Epsom salts etc as required to achieve the relevant water profile.
Does anybody see any issues with this? Will the water, even though it has been softened be fine to use after RO treatment?
I think it should be but just wanted to raise the question in case I am missing something.
Cheer
Rivet
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kal Forum Administrator
Joined: 12 Dec 2010 Posts: 11122 Location: Ottawa, Canada
Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter
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Link Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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RO (if working correctly) should remove close to everything like you mentioned. Good to go!
Kal
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My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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ghandlin
Joined: 09 Oct 2016 Posts: 96
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Link Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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That's exactly what I have going on and it works fine. Just remember that the RO process is SLOW. I have to start filling the day before. I spoke with Russ at Buckeye Hydro and built up a system for me - he is also a homebrewer and uses the same system. http://www.buckeyehydro.com/premium-ro-systems/ I picked up an extra set of filters, auto shut-off valve and TDS meter with it. But give him a call, he helped a great deal.
_________________ George Handlin
Hands and Feat Brewing
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mjo2125
Joined: 27 Feb 2017 Posts: 248 Location: Dayton, OH
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Link Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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Does your Buckeye Hydro system include a storage tank? Would the added cost of installing a 20 gallon tank be justified to avoid waiting for the process to catch up? I use a 15 gallon HTL.
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ghandlin
Joined: 09 Oct 2016 Posts: 96
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Link Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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No, it does not. Depending on how often you brew, I would be leery of keeping untreated water around too long. It's really not a big deal to get it started the day before. I had thought of the same thing, but then there is also the need for more space.
_________________ George Handlin
Hands and Feat Brewing
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rivetcatcher
Joined: 21 Apr 2016 Posts: 132 Location: Thailand
Drinking: Way Out Wheat - Mindcircus
Working on: Zombie Dust
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Link Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info ghandlin. I didn't realize it would take so long. I think it may be easier and cheaper to buy water that has already been filtered through RO. There may be a lot of waste water plus the extra time to consider. I can buy RO water for approximately $1.20 per 18 liters.
Thanks
Rivet
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Kazumichan
Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 177 Location: Cincinnati Ohio area
Working on: Belgium golden, Dubbel, and imperial red
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Link Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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The time that it take a RO to make water it dependent on what membrane you have. The one that I use is 100 gal/day membrane. So it would about 4 hours to make 15 gallons. Most RO systems have a 2-3 gallon holding tank. I have been thinking of getting a 20 gallon holding tank. I don't think that you would have any problems with holding water for awhile. Just use it more than once a month. I have also read that for every gallon of water it filters it will waste 1 gallon.
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SD Endorf
Joined: 24 Apr 2015 Posts: 88
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Link Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 2:02 am Post subject: |
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My unsoftened house water is unacceptable for brewing at 380 ppm alkalinity.
If you're looking for RO water simply for brewing and have no need for an in house system, why not just purchase at the store?
I get RO water at the grocery store. Six 5 gallon containers at 0.32 per gallon. I check with a TDS meter and it's always 8-12 PPM. They do a reasonable job of maintain the membrane. YMMV.....
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SD Endorf
Joined: 24 Apr 2015 Posts: 88
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Link Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 2:07 am Post subject: |
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On a side note, you mentioned Epsom salts. This is rarely required.
With RO water (depending on your recipe) you will likely need some calcium chloride and gypsum.
Be cautious with Epsom.
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rcrabb22
Joined: 23 Dec 2010 Posts: 462 Location: Illinois
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Link Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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I have a water softener and a RO water filtration post water softener. However, I tapped into the cold water line before the water softener and that supplies the cold water to my brew sink. I use that city supplied cold water for brewing. We only use RO water from a separate faucet at the kitchen sink and water supply to the refrigerator water and ice maker. My wife was concerned about excess sodium ingestion from the softened water so we got the RO system too.
My system has a 3 gallon RO holding tank and it takes about 4 -5 hours to replenish it from empty. The big rub for me is the waste water. My Culligan RO system is only 40% efficient. It would take 47.5 gallons of softened water to collect 19 gallons of RO water into my 20 gallon HLT with 28.5 gallons going down the drain.
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