Budget RO system

erkal

MWJB Ok, I added bicarb until TDS read 40ppm and then added magnesium and calcium until it read just above 80ppm. Time to make another cup I suppose :)

Thank you!

MWJB

erkal Ok, I added bicarb until TDS read 40ppm and then added magnesium and calcium until it read just above 80ppm. Time to make another cup I suppose :)

You’re not taking account of the conversion to CaCO3, this is the standard nomenclature for water total hardness and alkalinity.

Potassium bicarb gives half the alkalinity as CaCO3 compared to the mass added to DI water. So 40mg/L (or ppm) of potassium bicarb = 20mg/L alkalinity as CaCO3. This is low.

Epsom salts converts at a ratio of 2.46, so 246mg/L by mass = 100mg/L hardness as CaCO3.

Calcium chloride is a 1.1:1 relationship, 110mg/L of calcium chloride = 100mg/L hardness as CaCO3.

So, if you are reading this with a typical TDS meter, as ion, your alkalinity is still low and we still don’t know what your hardness is.

Cuprajake

just do the dr pavlis method it cant scale

erkal

Cuprajake So no need to add hardness? Only potassium bicarb?

erkal

MWJB I switched to Sodium Bicarbonate instead of Potassium. Taste has definitely improved, it was bitter, sour and flat this morning. It’s more balanced and pleasant now.

I understand the TDS meter is mostly useless, so how does one do this accurately?

I am thinking of ditching the concentrates all together as they add another layer of inaccuracy. I can order more accurate scales (0.001) and then just add dry mineral mix into 2.5lt water. Will this be a better solution? Can I trust the scales and the ratios and forget about the TDS meter?

Adrianmsmith

My machine gets what comes out of the claris filter. Much easier (i didnt say better) than the advanced chemistry practical.

erkal

Adrianmsmith How long do they last you? My tap water is around 300-360ppm here and I ditched the Zero filters because they needed changing way too often.

MWJB

erkal I switched to Sodium Bicarbonate instead of Potassium. Taste has definitely improved, it was bitter, sour and flat this morning. It’s more balanced and pleasant now.

1ppm of sodium bicarbonate = 0.6ppm alkalinity as CaCO3. So 40ppm by mass = 24ppm as CaCO3…still low. The difference in taste is unlikely to be totally down to the switch.

The TDS meter is confusing you.

Use scales, use concentrates, double check brew water with a drop kit. When you have done it a few times, whatever way, and are doing it the same way every time, you will only need to use the drop kit when you make deliberate changes.

MWJB

erkal If you have made concentrates as per the Waste of Coffee article, add 10ml of alkalinity concentrate (potassium bicarbonate, or sodium bicarbonate) to your 2.5L brew water.

If you want to add hardness too, then add 15ml of whatever hardness agent (calcium chloride, Epsom salts, or magnesium chloride hexahydrate), or 15ml total of any combination, to your 2.5L brew water.

Cuprajake

think at this point its easier on the brain to just buy a decent and feed it rodi water :)

jrling

erkal I have placed an order today for the system I mentioned at the top. I am happy report back on how it all goes if needed.

Hi - I wondered if you have bought one of these systems and if so, how it went?

erkal

jrling

Hi! Yeah I got it and been using it for a few weeks now. I get 2.5lt pure water in about 15-20minutes. This is more than enough for my use. If the filters really last as long as they say they will then this will be the cheapest water solution I have found.

jrling

That’s good to hear.

« Previous Page