Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

316 Pages « < 111 112 113 114 115 > » Bottom

Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+

 [Home Appliances] Water Filter/Purifier Thread V2, Drinking Water Treatment System

views
     
whitejack
post Feb 24 2018, 09:22 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
120 posts

Joined: Jun 2017
Is it possible for condo unit to install water filter system at point of entry (within unit)?
alexander3133
post Feb 24 2018, 09:25 PM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,716 posts

Joined: May 2006
From: JDT


QUOTE(whitejack @ Feb 24 2018, 09:22 PM)
Is it possible for condo unit to install water filter system at point of entry (within unit)?
*
Check with your condo management, is the best answer you can have.
whitejack
post Feb 25 2018, 12:30 AM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
120 posts

Joined: Jun 2017
QUOTE(alexander3133 @ Feb 24 2018, 09:25 PM)
Check with your condo management, is the best answer you can have.
*
i want to know is technical can be done or not.
My management no comment.


aeiou228
post Feb 25 2018, 12:56 AM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
5,867 posts

Joined: Feb 2006
QUOTE(hestati @ Feb 24 2018, 02:40 PM)
Yes, pure silver for disinfection in the tank should help. And yes, you should be ok to wash it with 6% peroxyde. Commercial systems are sanitized with high % chlorine solution, but no need to do it for home systems.

Your system is actually not bad, just few comments:

1. How old is this sediment filter? Looks too clean to me. Is it 5 micron? What brand?

2. Oh... ceramic filters... I believe yours is ceramic+carbon core. So if carbon core is modified, it can take out lead and cyst, no issue there, but so can many carbon blocks. Now, the ceramic layer. Their nominal filtration rating is 0.5 micron. Bacteria can be as small as 0.2 microns, viruses are 0.02 to 0.4 microns. Filtration rating doesn't have to be small if there are some other filtration mechanisms, example - electroadhision in a filter with nominal of 2 micron can filter 99.99% of all viruses and bacteria. But there is nothing in ceramic filter that can do that. So think about this Doulton not as "magic", but rather as 0.5 micron sediment filter+modified carbon block, or just a simple 0.5 micron modified carbon block.

Not saying it's bad, just gotta know what it is. However, there is one negative to it. What's happening inside the ceramic when large bacteria gets stuck in it? It's relatively thick layer of ceramic. I never dealt with one, but I spoke to people who had and in their experience it gets blocked easily. If the flow drops, you can run sand paper over it 2-3 times, after that - change the filter.

Last but not least, is this Douton authentic? Each of their filters has a serial number that you can register on their website to verify authenticity. The one that you have should not cost less than 150-200RM in Malaysia, I see some of them selling for like 30-60 Ringgit... this is a lot less than what Doulton charges the distributors.

3. Matrikx, if it is authentic, then good choice. 1 micron, right? Also about 100RM?

Congratulations on overall good and relatively cheap system! I would just get good sediment, replace Matrikx with another one if you can get it, and sand paper over ceramic (if it's authentic you can get few more months from it). If you want to change ceramic to more efficient one, can offer electroadhision filter in the future.

Where are all the fittings and filter housings from? I would worry as much about plastic leaching from these as from your tank actually.
*
1. Used about 2 years plus. Cheapo brand 1micron. It's clean because I have a PoE.
2. No it's a full ceramic candle. All Ceramic filters are 0.5 micron ?
3. I bought the Doulton and Matrikx from Makro cheras closing down sales before Tesco took over it. 10 years ago and I don't remember the price I paid for but it certainly wouldn't cost more than RM50. I only use it after I DIY the 3-stage filter some time in 2014. I can't find any serial num on the cartridge and the packaging box already thrown away.
The housing and fittings are non branded ones sourced from water filter shop.

Can you share where I can buy those quality 10" cartridges that you mentioned earlier, good sediment filter, sub micron and carbon block. If it's not convenient to share in this thread, do PM me.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Feb 25 2018, 01:11 AM
chiafoo
post Feb 28 2018, 04:03 PM

Casual
***
Junior Member
450 posts

Joined: Jan 2007


I am using Aquaphor crystal eco so far so good after a year . Cheap to maintain , filter cost rm4xx only . Can buy from hardware builder in fb or got some1 in garage sales selling

This post has been edited by chiafoo: Feb 28 2018, 04:14 PM
eddystorm
post Feb 28 2018, 11:53 PM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
84 posts

Joined: May 2014
QUOTE(chiafoo @ Feb 28 2018, 04:03 PM)
I am using Aquaphor crystal eco so far so good after a year . Cheap to maintain , filter cost rm4xx only . Can buy from hardware builder in fb or got some1 in garage sales selling
*
May i know how much u paid including installation?
Zelda85
post Mar 4 2018, 12:55 PM

On my way
****
Senior Member
695 posts

Joined: Jun 2008
QUOTE(hestati @ Feb 22 2018, 04:48 PM)
Alright, so back to our subject of filters. I will try to clarify things further. It's long so read it only if you have an interest to have better understanding of the industry. We will study RO system today, but hold on! I'm not saying RO is a must for everyone, but we will use RO as an "golden standard" if you'd like.
Intro

Water and water treatment industry is one of the most corrupt industries in the world. I'm not talking only about filters now, but also about bottled water, soft drinks as well as gimmicks like "ionizers", "live water" etc. It's an extremely profitable industry where interests of many huge corporations, governments, small players and even world organizations intersect...

Now, please get me right. I'm not a bloody communist who doesn't believe in making profit. Any business must make healthy and HONEST profits, so there's nothing wrong with that. What I find unacceptable is when a company or whole industry represents something old and simple as "super-nano-ultra-mega" advancement and is able to make 5000% profits from the lack of knowledge from ordinary people. I stress the words ORDINARY PEOPLE because it doesn't work in industrial applications. Industry is able to hire people like me, who spent years studying water treatment, so when a salesman from another "snake oil" company comes to us, he's immediately kicked out. As an ordinary consumer, you don't have this luxury, so unless you have some basic knowledge, it's easy to become a pray to a salesman. I will try my best to help you, without selling anything, but to quickly teach you how to filter BS from the truth.
Reverse Osmosis

Before you read further, please forget EVERYTHING you heard about "dead water", "we get minerals from the water" and all other crap. This is all BS and politics. At some point, some very powerful companies started losing too much money because of RO systems being implemented everywhere and public started to switch from buying SAME RO water in plastic bottles to reusable bottles, filling these up for free! Internet got flooded with "RO is bad for you" articles. They even influenced WHO, and WHO released few articles based on old Soviet articles from 1980s that were based on older research of industrial distillation systems in USSR (can check it on WHO website, I'm not making it up).

Quality RO system produces the cleanest, best drinking water, period (ok, there is also distillation, but let's ignore it for now, since it's not easily available consumer system).

But RO system does waste a lot of water. It's also very slow (50-100ml per minute), sensitive to water pressure, requires a lot of maintenance and usually has a tank... Now this tank is the weakest point of the system. This is where bacteria grow, this is where your water is sitting inside a plastic bag... no so good. There are tankless systems out there, but unless you're ok with 50-100ml/minute and waiting 15 minutes to fill your kettle, these systems are more expensive. In short, unless your water has way too many dissolved minerals, you were told by doctors to drink RO water,  you're paranoid or you have special use for this system (ultrasonic humidifiers for example) - RO is a bit of overkill (my personal opinion).

But why do I even talk about RO then? Because understanding RO will make you understand any other system out there. Because of the nature of RO system, you can not play around with "nano-ultra-super", you play with it, and your RO membrane goes bust in no time. By comparing ANY system to RO, you can understand exactly what are you giving up and whether the system makes sense and whether it is overpriced.

So RO system is always the same - pre-filters, RO membrane and post-filters. Let's start with the queen - the membrane.

RO membrane can filter out pretty much everything, except dissolved gases. You can look it up online, but in short, imagine many many many layers of media, each layer is a mini filter getting rid of impurities that are washed away into the drain, the membrane is usually good for 2 years. I'd like to stress that point IMPURITIES ARE WASHED AWAY. They do not sit inside the membrane. Keep that in mind, it's EXTREMELY important for further discussion. What comes out of membrane is the final pure drinking water.

But, there is one thing membrane is scared of, and it brings us to our next point - pre-filters. Chlorine in our water can destroy our queen membrane in no time. So we need to get rid of chlorine first. This is why pre-filters normally are sediment + carbon block x 2. Sediment doesn't let large size particles to carbon blocks , 2 carbon blocks absorb all the chlorine, the rest goes to the membrane. Very simple and straight forward.

But then why post-filters? Membrane produces clean drinking water, what else is there to post-filter? Remember the tank that most RO systems has. Water sitting in the tank starts smelling and tasting bad. Tank also has bacteria inside, the bladder leaches plastic into the water, so post-filters are designed to get rid of all that. If there is no tank, there is no need for any post filters.

For 2500RM you can get quality tankless RO system with descent flow and it will outperform any non-RO system ever created. At 2000RM or so you can have quality RO with tank (though maintenance cost will be higher than tankless because of post-filters).
So now you know how a system and a price range that can get you purest drinking water, compare it to your current system or the one you want to buy. Start from the left to right. For example:

Does your system have sediment filter that you can easily wash or change? Yes - great. No - all the large, elephant size particles flow to your next filter and may either damage or block it. Does your system have a carbon block to get rid of smell, taste and chlorine? Yes - great. No - hmmm, what do you have, just a glorified sediment filter?. The simplest system would be just these 2. And it must be relatively cheap even if it contains premium cartridges and other premium components made in USA/UK, we're looking at roughly 700RM for the system and 150RM worth of cartridges per year. Also, carbon block can be modified to filter out lead and some other heavy metals, but even after heavy modifications, carbon remains carbon. It cannot suddenly become RO membrane.

But then it gets a bit tricky. Bacteria, viruses, other heavy metals, plastics etc. How are these filtered? It MUST be a filter able to remove sub-micron particles. In other words, light version of RO membrane. There are few ways to achieve that, but filter manufacturers must clearly say how they do that. You don't have to understand it, but explanation must be available. Electroadhision, ion exchange, ultra-filtration through hollow fiber etc. Not just "hey bro, magic happens inside and you get pure water". Cost of these advanced systems should be 1000-1400RM MAX!, cartridges for a year are about 350-400RM. If you're paying over it, you're getting robbed. Remember that 2000RM is a price for RO with tank, so why would you pay more for less clean water? Even if you're still, for some reason believe that "must have minerals bro", just buy a mineralization cartridge for RO. Do not ever, ever pay over 1500RM (ok, let's put it 350USD, who knows where RM will be tomorrow) for non-RO point of use system. And this is only for the one that is actually able to remove all bacteria etc, not just simple carbon+sediment.
One last, but very important thing to keep in mind is lifetime of the filter. Remember that with RO membranes, impurities get washed away constantly and yet it can last only 2 years? Any other filter that doesn't get washed can only last 1 year, no more. And sediment needs to be changed or washed few times per year. There is no way any filter directly exposed to the incoming water can last even 1 year without any kind of wash. So you know that all these "black box" filter systems get dirty quickly and stop performing.

This is it for today, hope at least few people will read it.
*
So which water filter you are using smile.gif

Zelda85
post Mar 4 2018, 01:04 PM

On my way
****
Senior Member
695 posts

Joined: Jun 2008
QUOTE(hestati @ Jan 30 2018, 04:32 PM)
Ok, this time I will post without any links or any sales.

My background is water treatment. I worked in Canada, USA and South America on various water treatment projects mainly RO projects though. I was also appointed by one of my employers to go to establish manufacturing in China, which didn't go well, but whatever.

So what a good home system must have? Right now we're talking about 3 stage system only. Why 3 stage? Surprisingly, it's the most economical and easy solution. You can do 2 stage as well, but it's not worth it, I'll explain why.

Stage 1 MUST be a sediment filter. It's cheap and it takes the first hit and you should replace it often (3-6 month). There are 3 types, string, pleated and melt blown. Just use the melt blown one. Cost for a good, USA made one is roughly 20 RM, change it 3 times a year. So 60RM yearly for this one. Choose 1 or 5 micron (I prefer 5 for better flow)

If your system doesn't have a sediment filter as a first stage, then all the large kaka goes to your first filter and reduces it's lifetime and performance dramatically.

Stage 2 is your main filter. Normally it's sub-micron, hollow membrane or other technology (in USA they don't even make UF, they have other sub-micron filters). This is the heart of your system and it's also must have. Make sure it removes: bacteria, viruses, cyst, lead, arsenic, ferrous iron, mercury, pharmaceuticals and plastics. Pretty much everything except: fluoride, chlorine, bromine, iodine and VOC. Change once per year. Roughly 160-200RM for a very good one (US made)!

Stage 3 is your carbon block. This will remove chlorine, bromine, iodine and VOC. Change once a year, roughly 80-100RM for a very good one (US made, coconut activated carbon).

So you're looking at 300-350RM per year worth of outstanding quality filters.
So see the logic here: first, remove large particles. Then, remove all nasty stuff such as bacteria and heavy metals, then get rid of bad taste and odor.

What's left? Normally it will be minerals and fluoride. But, sometimes you still have a bad taste, how come? Answer is chloramine. Nasty nasty stuff. Widely used in USA now instead of or together with chlorine, but can also form if ammonia is present in your water. You need a special chloramine carbon block and these are not cheap. EVEN THE BEST SYSTEM without chloramine filter will produce nasty water. Chloramine is not removed by any UF or sub-mic or anything else. If you have chloramine, your cost of carbon block (stage 3) becomes close to 160-200RM.

So say you don't have chloramine and let's assume you don't have any radiation (unless it's well water, hopefully not). Then what's left is fluoride. They do add crappy fluoride to our water in USA and in Malaysia (Western Europe banned it for example). You need a special filter if you want to get rid of it, so an extra stage. I personally don't care, but choice is yours.

Now to plastic leaching. If components of your system (not filters, but everything else) are made God knows where, then there are high chances that they leach chemicals into your water. Anything before stage 2, we don't care, since our stage 2 will take care of it, but anything after it goes straight to your cup. So know where each and every COMPONENT that touches the water is made. (example, does your faucet contain lead? if yes, then what's the point if filtering out all the lead before?)

Last but not least, I HIGHLY recommend a system with standard housings and filters. We call them 2.5 by 10, 2.5 by 20 and so on. Even if the manufacturer of your system jacks up the price for replacement cartridges or goes out of business, you can always buy cartridges from reputable US companies at reasonable prices.

This is it for now. If you have any questions, please let me know smile.gif
*
Please PM me the soulution as well. I would like to know more about cheaper solution smile.gif
exkay
post Mar 4 2018, 06:14 PM

Hired Gunman
*******
Senior Member
3,657 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: My Room



anyone know where can i get this type of faucet ?


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image Attached Image Attached Image
iamoracle
post Mar 5 2018, 10:34 AM

On my way
****
Senior Member
614 posts

Joined: Nov 2011


QUOTE(exkay @ Mar 4 2018, 06:14 PM)
anyone know where can i get this type of faucet ?
*
This one can do?
https://www.lazada.com.my/products/mocha-m2...NaDvqE&search=1
exkay
post Mar 5 2018, 11:11 AM

Hired Gunman
*******
Senior Member
3,657 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: My Room



QUOTE(iamoracle @ Mar 5 2018, 10:34 AM)
unfortunately.. no... cause there's an existing faucet that home owner is not willing to fore go..

aeiou228
post Mar 5 2018, 12:03 PM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
5,867 posts

Joined: Feb 2006
QUOTE(exkay @ Mar 5 2018, 11:11 AM)
unfortunately.. no... cause there's an existing faucet that home owner is not willing to fore go..
*
Why not use a faucet diverter? My RO filter is using one. Waste water can tube out to sink or connect to undersink drain pipe.
user posted image
MGM
post Mar 5 2018, 01:50 PM

10k Club
********
All Stars
18,402 posts

Joined: Oct 2010
Anyone has bought any RO system from this merchant @Lazada?
https://www.lazada.com.my/shop/kent-mineral-ro-malaysia/

I am interested at this unit: https://www.lazada.com.my/products/kent-gra...62527.html?mp=3
fkinmeng
post Mar 7 2018, 08:36 PM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
6,373 posts

Joined: May 2007
anybody here use bacfree?
oyching88
post Mar 7 2018, 11:07 PM

Casual
***
Junior Member
444 posts

Joined: Jun 2007


Wow, so many filter "experts" here, this thread never get bored.
Look for reputable brands, information and facts from real expert.
Talk a lot but unable to provide fact sheets also useless.

Thanks for those that trusted me here notworthy.gif

This post has been edited by oyching88: Mar 7 2018, 11:09 PM
exkay
post Mar 8 2018, 02:25 PM

Hired Gunman
*******
Senior Member
3,657 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: My Room



QUOTE(aeiou228 @ Mar 5 2018, 12:03 PM)
Why not use a faucet diverter? My RO filter is using one. Waste water can tube out to sink or connect to undersink drain pipe.
user posted image
*
cause can't fit the current faucet
lyrilmaki
post Mar 18 2018, 05:20 PM

Enthusiast
*****
Senior Member
964 posts

Joined: Sep 2010


Hi guys

I realize my condo water is yellowish.

If I would like to install one outdoor filter at entry point.

Does 3M AP902 Whole house water filtery system good?
Does anyone know its price to change a filter?

Is there any similar filter system for entry point which is cost effective than 3M?

Much appreciate for your input on my questions notworthy.gif
aeiou228
post Mar 18 2018, 08:06 PM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
5,867 posts

Joined: Feb 2006
QUOTE(lyrilmaki @ Mar 18 2018, 05:20 PM)
Hi guys

I realize my condo water is yellowish.

If I would like to install one outdoor filter at entry point.

Does 3M AP902 Whole house water filtery system good?
Does anyone know its price to change a filter?

Is there any similar filter system for entry point which is cost effective than 3M?

Much appreciate for your input on my questions  notworthy.gif
*
3M is good but the replacement cartridge is a little pricey. Try type in keyword POE in "search topic" below, you can find other option at much cheaper price.
Jason
post Mar 18 2018, 11:01 PM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
6,354 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
QUOTE(jo707 @ Nov 17 2017, 11:15 PM)
aeiou228 suggested a budget POE water filter below RM600, known as Secure Backwash. I bought one as well, and it works well for me. Maybe you can take a look at it.
*
How’s the water pressure after installing it, and how do you like it so far?
MGM
post Mar 19 2018, 04:23 AM

10k Club
********
All Stars
18,402 posts

Joined: Oct 2010
QUOTE(MGM @ Mar 5 2018, 01:50 PM)
Anyone has bought any RO system from this merchant @Lazada?
https://www.lazada.com.my/shop/kent-mineral-ro-malaysia/

I am interested at this unit: https://www.lazada.com.my/products/kent-gra...62527.html?mp=3
*
Nobody has bought this KENT RO SYSTEMS because it is a new brand/supplier? Feature wise it is good and at reasonable price, yearly replacement cartridges cost rm330, biennially replacement RO cartridge is additional rm200.

316 Pages « < 111 112 113 114 115 > » Top
 

Change to:
| Lo-Fi Version
0.0259sec    0.47    6 queries    GZIP Disabled
Time is now: 3rd December 2025 - 07:57 AM