deionization and resins

[Mash]

Ok here is the question of the day. Does anyone have any experience with using deionization water filters?

I am presently using one and am trying to find information on venders for Cation Resin and Anion Resin. We all know buying this stuff from a pet store cost serous money. I have been doing some quick looking on the web and it appears the pet market is just using technology from the water softening and purifications markets. I am starting to collect a bit of resin that could be regenerated if I knew a company that would do it. Personally don’t want to mess with it using some sort of DIY self-system. Caustic chemicals and milk jug in my laundry room are probably a bad accident waiting to happen.

Any info on a company to purchase bulk quantities of resin would be nice as well.

I was also wondering the does the color dies Kent uses in it resin really indicated the stuff is all used up or does it really indicate something else.

Any info would be helpfull thanks.

[David Grigor]

Yep.

http://www.resindepot.com/ . You want the mixed bed resin. I purchased mine back in spring when it was on sale for $79.

Currently $99 + about $40-50 ( 50+ lbs ) shipping.

To give you an idea of how much resin a cubic foot is: it will fill up 1.5 5g salt buckets.

I calculated it out for my tank would last 7 years so best if you can find another 1-2 people to locally to split it with.

[David Grigor]

Also note that this resin does not have the color changing in it. You need to get a $30 TDS meter to know when it is exhausted.

Regardless of color changing or not TDS is well worth the money.

I found that even with the color changing stuff ( such as the Kent ) that the resin last longer before fully exhausted than the color changing indicates so if you went by the color changing alone your wasting about another 30days ( in my case ) of good use when used in conjunction with RO filter.

[David Grigor]

One more thing, I used to recharge my resins but since buying in bulk it just isn't worth the trouble........

[Mash]

Let me start by saying thanks for the information.

A present I don’t use a RO system with the deionization set up. I currently have a 3-chamber Kent set up first is carbon the second two are the resins separated. I could easily fill both chambers with mixed bed resin. My water usage is about 20 gallons a week so not sure how fast I would go through resin with my water. It is city water and has a good bit of chlorine in it. What’s the reason for using the RO system with the deionization system?

I guess that also bring up the question any on in the DC or Baltimore area need any resin? Would hate to waist stuff by it going bad sitting around my house.

[David Grigor]

Sorry. Duplicate post.

[David Grigor]

I can only speak for my area of the country but living in MN where there are lots of lakes and lots of water runoff, Nitrates are very high. My tap water TDS reads about 220ppm. After RO reads in the 30ppm range. By adding DI can get it down further to 0-1 ppm.

Using RO infront of DI will make the resins last a WHOLE lot longer. Just think if RO is reducing from 220 ppm down to 30ppm before DI just imagine how much harder the DI would have to work to get it if it had to filter 220 vs 30ppm.

[Mash]

Hum well I guess I will have to play with it some. Not worried about the DI having to work hard as long as it does a good job. I am looking at cutting costs mainly and achieving good water quality. I guess once my TDS meter arrives in a few days I can start by figuring out how long my resin really last without a RO unit and make a decision based on that info.

Thanks for the info.

[David Grigor]

Long Term the RO is definately the way to go as the membrane will save more $$ in DI in its life span vs. the initial cost ......

[Ol Salty2K]

I have a Kati & Ani DI. I've worked with these for over 10 years.
I have recharged mine and others over 100 times. Very easy, no mess !

[broadwave]

Murph...good to see you're on line now!!

[Unresistible Blue]

I have bulk color changing, and non color changing resin, TDS meters, sediment filters, carbon filters, adjustable flow restrictors, add on DI units, etc, etc, for sale if anyone is interested.

You can email me at field_gear@msn.com.

Blue