Miami Beach Reefers- Chloramines?

[Jackwkahn]

Do you guys use rodi systems with chloramine filters?

 

[Hyperion1337]

Also wondering about reefers in the pinecrest/palmetto bay area if they deal with chloramine

 

[Cytranic]

RODI filters are supposed to remove it....I've used one for a few months in Boca, and they use Chloramine. I see no ill effects.

 

[Jackwkahn]

RODI filters are supposed to remove it....I've used one for a few months in Boca, and they use Chloramine. I see no ill effects.

then whats the deal with special units that remove chloramines?

 

[Cytranic]

then whats the deal with special units that remove chloramines?

I dunno, sales tatic? Chloramine is removed with the use of active carbon. Most RODI filters should have a carbon filter.

 

[Adam13]

Miami Beach uses Chloramines and Chlorine

Miami Beach uses Chloramines and Chlorine

Not a sales tactic. Chloramines in the water can lead to ammonia leakage from your rodi. which is obviously bad.

The carbon filter that most rodi units come with is just carbon block. Activated catalytic carbon is used to remove chloramines. All you need to get is the different filter element.

Miami Beach water and sewer does have chloramines, and they do a chlorine shock a few times a year, per Miami Beach Public Works Dept.

Not sure about palmetto bay/ pinecrest area. You could call the public works for the area for the specific address in question and they will tell you.

The different filters are relatively inexpensive. You would want them installed in this order

1.) Sediment filter element (10 or 5 micron)
2.) Activated Catalytic Carbon filter element
3.) Carbon Block filter element (5 or 1 micron)
then your ro membrane and di filter element


Here are 2 options for the activated catalytic carbon. I have no affiliation with either sore, and I am sure a lot of other places carry them, just showing you the options.


Pre assembled filter
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/CATALYTICCARBONCAR/Catalytic-Carbon-Cartridge.html

or refillable filter http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/catalog/product/view/id/166/ and http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/10-refillable-cartridge-for-catalytic-carbon.html

 

[Jackwkahn]

thanks for the detailed response Adam

 

[Adam13]

No problem, with the amount there is to lose by not running it I would do it. I found out the hard way with elevated ammonia and phosphates.

Then I tested my RODI water, problem solved!

 

[rovster]

In addition to the ammonia issue, the chloramines will destroy your membrane in short order. Membrane is most expensive part of system, so whatever you can do to extend its life, the better. At least that's how I understand it.

 

[Cytranic]

Thanks for the clarification. I am running an activated carbon filter in my RODI, but it wasnt sold as a chloramine filter.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Seems to be some confusion here between
catalytic GAC

and

GAC

They are somilar, but not the same. CGAC is the type of GAC often used for tap water with chloramines.

Russ

 

[novahobbies]

Adam and Buckeye, those were both great responses and thank you for the input.

I'm a Deerfield resident and I've confirmed from the Water co that there are Chloramines present in Deerfield water supply. I've got a cartridge on order from BRS to swap my RODI unit over. Just my opinion in this matter, but I don't see the harm in EVERYONE running Catalytic carbon as the second chamber in an RODI. More and more municipalities will be switching their filtration over (cost-saving initiatives from what my Deerfield rep told me) and introducing chloramines into the water supply, so it's probably not a bad idea to upgrade your filter. It will cost you roughly 20 bucks to upgrade. That's not exactly pocket change, but let's be honest...in this hobby,neither is it a break-the-bank investment. Again, just my opinion.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

In addition to the ammonia issue, the chloramines will destroy your membrane in short order.

I think you're thinking about chlorine. Membranes handle exposure the chloramines well.

Russ

 

[marke]

Thanks for the detailed responses! Now you have me and everyone else wondering if we need to add this filter? Maybe before we panic and blame everything bad that has happened to our system on chloramines. Does it make sense to buy an ammonia test kit and test rodi water to see if its an issue? Funny the test kit might cost as much as the filter?

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

For water with chloramines, we recommend two carbon stages. Either:
CGAC followed by 0.5 mic block, or
0.5 mic block followed by Chloraguard block

Two carbon stages are not ALWAYS necessary when dealing with chloromines, but it is is very low cost insurance.

If you leave your DI resin in too long, yes, you'll get ammonia in your DI water.

Russ

 

[jonnyu]

Thanks for the detailed responses! Now you have me and everyone else wondering if we need to add this filter? Maybe before we panic and blame everything bad that has happened to our system on chloramines. Does it make sense to buy an ammonia test kit and test rodi water to see if its an issue? Funny the test kit might cost as much as the filter?

Agree.. I'm in pines anyone has issues with this yet?

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Contact your water utility or look them up online. Check to see what they use as a disinfectant - it will be chlorine or chloramine.

 

[nitroreef]

FYI

http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/#Disinfectants

 

[skng2011]

How do you test for chloramines?

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

They will show up if you use a total chlorine test (not a free chlorine test).

Russ