RO unit mineralising cartridge

[Wills]

I've set up an RO unit on my sink with a 3 way tap. My tap water has high nitrate full of heavy metals and is really hard so wanted to make this change. The unit has 2 Mineralising cartridges in a post phase the first is labeled Mineralizing Filter Cartridge and the second is Coconut Carbon Filter Cartridge. I cant work out what they do but guessing its to help for drinking water - what are your thoughts on leaving these on when I add water to my tank? Has anyone seen these cartridges before?

Its left me a bit stumped and I think this is the biggest stumbing block to me getting my water sorted and trying to end my algae nightmares...

Wills

 

[seangee]

Coconut carbon is probably fine, its basically just a carbon block and (supposedly) good for chloramine and heavy metals. Avoid the mineral cartridge. The output is quite variable and you get a lot of minerals from a new cartidge which reduces as time goes by. Think its a gimmick for those sold on the idea that high alkaline water is somehow better for you.

 

[Wills]

Coconut carbon is probably fine, its basically just a carbon block and (supposedly) good for chloramine and heavy metals. Avoid the mineral cartridge. The output is quite variable and you get a lot of minerals from a new cartidge which reduces as time goes by. Think its a gimmick for those sold on the idea that high alkaline water is somehow better for you.

Thanks one of the things I sold the mrs on was having it for drinking too so you think without this filter it would be ok to drink? I’ve heard before it’s not good to drink pure RO water?

also the filter has been stood for a few months as it sprung a leak and I’ve not got round to fixing it. But will the cartridges be ok? Do they only deteriorated over time or by use?

 

[seangee]

I would change the cartidges. This is just a guess but I expect they would be fine but if they have been standing in water and weren't spotlessly clean there is a chance that bacteria has formed in them.
I use mine in the kettle and coffee machine. Tastes great and zero limescale. Also the clothes iron and pets drinking water. Personally I drink several litres of it a day. Usually carbonated (Soda Stream) but often plain too. The claims that drinking RO water is bad for you are based on the fact that the body needs minerals. So IMO this would only be an issue if you lived on a water only diet but there are plenty of minerals in the food we eat.

FWIW pre RO I lost 2 cats to bowel cancer and (in the last 15 years) 3 neighbours in our street. Not suggesting there is a link but that seems an unlikely coincidence - so I won't be drinking water out of the tap.

 

[Colin_T]

Coconut Carbon Filter Cartridge.

This is simply a carbon filter made from coconut shells and coconut fibre, and is used to remove chemicals from the water.

You can buy bags of activated carbon to replace the carbon filter when it is full. It's usually cheaper than buying specific brands or replacement cartridges.

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I’ve heard before it’s not good to drink pure RO water?

R/O water is pretty close to rain water and is fine to drink. The only people who shouldn't drink R.O water are people under 20, who need a small amount of fluoride to help strengthen their teeth. But most healthy adults that have a good diet are fine on pure water.

Water that contains calcium, magnesium and some other minerals can be helpful to people who don't eat well (have a poor diet) or who have digestive disorders. The minerals are used by our bodies and if you don't have a good diet, then getting minerals from water or supplements is the next best thing.

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I would change the cartidges. This is just a guess but I expect they would be fine but if they have been standing in water and weren't spotlessly clean there is a chance that bacteria has formed in them.

I agree with this. Swap them over for safety reasons.

 

[Wills]

Thanks guys - sorry thought I had replied to this. I'll get some new cartridges ordered.

I have found the re-mineralising cartridge here too https://www.directwaterfilters.co.uk/water-remineraliser-for-reverse-osmosis-systems-216.html

It says it adds calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium to the water - has anyone come across this before?

Wills

 

[Wills]

Bit of a positive update I've ordered all my new cartridges and a T junction with a length of air pipe and a tap and checked with the store and I can connect this up infront of the remineralising cartridges and the system will still work which is exactly what I need So hopefully later this week I can get set up and make a start on transitioning to 0 nitrate, soft water - wow that feels good to say haha.

Wills

 

[JazzyV]

Give me bottled water ..ok
Give me bottle water plus a pak of pedialyte ...that’s more like it

poor dog please give him gh lol

quick answer to questions up there..I’m on a special word limit lol