thinking about changing from R/O to HMA

[Pete]

Happy new year guys

I,m thinking about changing from R/O to HMA would it be worthwhile ?
my tapwater is very soft anyway (TDS of 80) and I would still need to add minerals

My R/O membrane is getting near the end of its life, the output is dropping so either will need a new membrane soon or go for HMA

I'm not having any problems or anything but remember being advised that HMA water is more stable than R/O water (I do add minerals)
One thing I am concerned about is how can you tell that the filters are exhausted at least with R/O you can measure TDS as a quick check
Does it remove all the stuff that the water companies put in the water , Chloramines and Chlorine and a local fish keeper told me that they sometimes add insecticides horrendous if that is true !

I've googled HMA found a blog recommending a three stage HMA filter
first stage a 5 micron sediment filter
the second stage coconut carbon
the third a Chlorplus-10 filter for Chloramines
Pete

 

[macvsog23]

HMA will give you water that has the same TDS and Ph as the tap water.

In your case it will be usable.

If you use a good quality carbon and CBR filter it will remove most of the clap our water company's add.

Myself I have arrived at HMA / RO mix after 30 plus years of keeping fish and playing with every "Water softener" on the market.

The change in my ability to keep and breed some of the more sensitive fish is astonishing after years of struggling I am now confident I can keep a fish and also keep that fish healthgy and in prime condition.

As I say to the numptys in the LFS were I abuse the general public "Fish mongers keep fish, Aquarists keep water"

 

[Pete]

Thanks mate I've had a good think about this and decided that I will stay with R/O . Dont like the uncertainty of knowing if the carbon filter in the HMA is still taking out the chloramines after say 4 months. I do quite large water changes s our plecs are messy and at least an R/O even if its marginal will still take the bad stuff out
I will get a carbon filter that takes out chloramines tho
Pete

 

[Irene0100]

my RO unit has a sediment filter and a carbon filter before it goes through the RO membrane unit, this helps to extend the life of the Ro mebrane as well. I change these filters every few months (i dont wait for tds to rise). the sediment filter I know is used as it turns orange with all the debris in the water, I cant test if the carbon is spent or not, I just change it anyway, they dont cost a fortune.
As I only run it for a couple of hours a day the mebrane lasts for a couple of years easily.

 

[macvsog23]

Hi

With regular back flushing a membrane should last 5 or 6 years at the very least.

The membrane is just a "trap" for the impurities.