Finally got water test results

[Elysia]

The well water at the new house has finally been tested.


I figured that I would want to know (and asked for) the following:

TDS
total coliform
pH
alkalinity
ammonia
nitrate
phosphates
calcium
magnesium
iron
copper
silica

TDS: 35 ppm
total coliform: <1 mpn/100ml
pH: 6.6
ammonia: <1 mg/L
nitrate: 1.5 ppm
phosphates, ortho: <.1 mg/L
iron: "0-trace"
silica: 13 mg/L

Then, rather than doing the calcium, copper, and magnesium tests, they just tested the water's hardness (2 gpg).

Does anyone else have water that is so acidic like this? I really didn't expect that. Here our water is always a bit more alkaline than neutral, and the water is very hard. The other thing is that the water leaves a redish stain on things. I'm not sure what this $140+ in testing should mean for my tanks -- any suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

 

[NCNBilly]

I bet your alkalinity is VERY low, especially given the TDS reading - that makes your pH value pretty useless and unimportant.

 

[rpeeples]

Who tested the water for you?

How are you going to use these results to setup your RODI system?

I am in a similar situation and would like to see how you plan on setting things up.

Was the CO2 tested for as well?

 

[Elysia]

I don't know what I am going to do, yet. I've been thrown for a loop in that I did not expect the water to be acidic. And if it weren't, I would probably just use some type of sediment filter on the main kitchen tap and use it straight. But now I don't know what I'm going to do. The person who tested the water works for a company that does pump and water system installation and repair. This is a limestone rich area, so I can't believe the water isn't hard!

 

[2turtles]

I would not be to worried about the native PH. Mix up a small batch of saltwater then test you may find your salt mix will buffer it out. IMO you should have an RO filter.

 

[Elysia]

I know I should have a RO system, but I have a hard time with all the wasted water. Of course, there is water bubbling up all around the house, but in the house you actually have to pay to pump it up and out. Plus, I need to buy stock in buffer... Greg, do you do anything to filter the water that you and your family drink? Such a strange new world for us... Leaving suburban civilization... Joining the "peace" of the country, where your neighbours ride their dirt bikes up and down the driveway for eight hours straight....

 

[trippkid]

That is music to my ears. If you are only doing small amts. of water(even larger amts too), you can use a dionization system or Cati-Ani system, which wastes no water and you get the same product as a RO/DI unit. If you do the Cati-Ani type the resins are not mixed, they are in their own containers, allowing you to recharge them when exhausted. You can do it with DI cartridges too, you just have to unmix the mixed cartridges. You may want to do some type of prefilter also with this type of system. Good luck.
Matt