Tap Water Filter

[Donovanj]

The Aquarium Pharmaceuticals tap water filter. How do I know when it's used up? It's supposed to change colors but its very hard to tell the color once its wet.

 

[JohnD]

Welcome Aboard

How long have you been running your TWP? And also, how is your local water?

The resin in the TWP starts out as a green color. If you have nasty water, you will see the TWP's resin turn a purple color very quickly.

Because you are asking, it seems to me that you have water low in dissolved particles. You might be one of the lucky ones that can use a TWP for long periods of time. Over time, you will see the resin turn a purple color. Trust me, you will see the difference.

As for me, I used to use a TWP by itself when my water needs were modest. The $17 - $20 price never really bothered me. As my water needs grew, I bought a 3-stage RO unit and attached the TWP to unit.


Feel free to drop me a PM if you have further questions.

HTH,

JohnD

 

[Anonymous]

You can also recharge the TWP's, so dont throw them when they are exausted!

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, thel DI cartidge can be recharged, but for most people it is way too much hassle.

As John said, it is pretty obvious when the color line moves up the unit as the resin get used up. Just make sure you don't shake the resin to mix them, it will make it more difficult to see.

Anyway, if you still not sure, you need to borrow a TDS meter to test the output. When working properly, the reading should be 2 or 3 ppm or less.

 

[Donovanj]

Color line?

When I first start to use the filter, the color instantly goes dark when it gets wet. So I can't really tell the color of the resin. Thats why Im asking

 

[Anonymous]

In that case, you either ask people to show you a half-exhausted TWP cartidge (I don't have one handly... anyone willing to help?), or you get a TDS meter to verify that the cartidge is still in good shape.

Or call the manufacture and ask them to describe to you the way it looks as it get used up... "dark" is not very descriptive...

 

[ChrisRD]

Get yourself a TDS meter - they're very cheap.

 

[PeeJ]

wait wait....2 or 3 tds from a 30 dollar twp? are you sure?

 

[taikonaut]

Yes, the TDS should be really low because it is a DI filter. However, depends on your input water, you can be paying like $1 per gallon for the output. (only good for 25-30 gal of water going thru)

 

[PeeJ]

I know that the cartriges wear out fast, but I was just unaware that they were to that standard. Hmm.

 

[ChrisRD]

DI units can produce just as pure of a product water as RO/DI. If a DI unit is functioning correctly it can produce 0 TDS water, just like an RO/DI. The major advantage of RO/DI is that it is generally much cheaper per gallon in the long run.