Mineralizer of water after reverse osmosis

The poor quality of tap water has led to the widespread installation of filters in private apartments. Systems operating on the principle of reverse osmosis, provide the highest degree of purification. But they are an order of magnitude higher than other filters. The question arises: does it make sense to additionally spend money on installing a water mineralizer after a reverse osmosis membrane?

Why do you need a mineralizer?

The reverse osmosis system is based on forcing pre-prepared water through a membrane with very small holes. Their size is comparable to the size of water molecules, so 99% of the substances dissolved in it are retained and washed off into the drainage. Read more about reverse osmosis cleaning. here or watch the video below:

In addition to harmful impurities, the membrane does not pass and vital elements: salts of calcium, magnesium, potassium and others. There is much debate about the dangers of drinking such nearly distilled water.

• Opponents of osmosis are sure that low-mineralized water leaches salts from the body. Their lack causes problems with bone and cartilage tissues, increases the risk of arrhythmias and arthrosis, negatively affects the condition of teeth and gums.
• The other side claims that drinking such water does not adversely affect health and does not lead to a lack of salts. After all, we get minerals with food and other drinks. There is also official evidence that people who drank weakly saline water for many years did not complain about poor health.

The dangers and benefits of reverse osmosis water, as well as common myths, are described in this article.

Will not find out who is right. In order not to torment yourself with questions, it is worth putting reverse osmosis water filter and mineralizer: there will definitely be no harm from it, and the taste of water will become better.

What happens to water during mineralization:

• the liquid is saturated with substances necessary for the body;
• the acid-base balance is leveled;
• water tastes good.

What is a mineralizer cartridge?

The cartridge consists of a mineral fill placed inside a ceramic or plastic case. Its task is to adjust the pH and increase the mineral content. Typically, the scheme of the purification system involves the installation of a mineralizer immediately in front of a drinking tap immediately after the carbon post-filter. Often, coal and mineralizing fillings are combined in one cartridge, then the need for an additional step disappears.

In some models of osmotic filters, the mineralizer is installed up to the storage tank. Water passes through it slowly, therefore it is more fully saturated with microelements. Another solution that improves the quality of mineralization is to sweep the fluid through the module in two directions.

In budget models of mineralizers, backfill consists of calcite. In this form, calcium carbonate is common in nature. Additionally, magnesium, sodium and potassium cations are added, as well as anions of carbonates, sulfides and chlorides.

The composition of the backfill and the technical characteristics of the mineralizer, the characteristics of operation and connection, manufacturers indicate on its body.

Service and item replacement

The maintenance process consists in replacing the element after the development of its resource. This parameter is specified by the manufacturer and is expressed in thousands of liters of water that the filter can pass through without compromising quality. It ranges from 2 to 15 thousand, the standard indicator is 3-4 thousand liters.

You can focus on the time of operation: most mineralizers are recommended to be changed at least once every six months.

Consider the replacement procedure using an example cartridge with calcite Pentair (Pentek) GS-10CAL / RO

The cartridge changes quickly and easily:

• The water supply to the filter system is shut off.
• The valve on the storage tank closes.
• The tubes are disconnected from the mineralizer. It is recommended to photograph their relative position first so as not to confuse them later during assembly.

• The old filter is disconnected, a new one is put in its place.
• Handsets are connected.
• The water taps open in the reverse order.

The best models of mineral water filters

The five best filters with installed mineralizer and storage tank included:

• "Barrier PROFI Osmo 100 M". A system with 6 cleaning levels and a 10 liter storage tank. Productivity - 0.2 L / min. Customer reviews are only positive, rating is 5 out of 5. Price - 8 034–9 250 rubles.

• Atoll A-575m STD. Five-stage filter with 12 liter storage tank. Flow rate - 0.2 l / min. Replacement parts are manufactured in Mexico and the USA. The membrane needs to be changed rarely - once every 5 years. Users liked the simplicity and ease of installation, the mild taste of water. Rating - 5 out of 5. Cost - 11,390–12,800 rubles.

• Angstra R-6Cm - 6 steps of cleaning. Reduced storage tank volume (8 liters). It improves the circulation of purified water and is more convenient to place under the kitchen sink. Includes the latest Filmtec membrane (USA) - 100 gallons (almost 400 liters) per day. Users note the pleasant taste of water, a good flow of purified water and ease of maintenance. Rated 5 out of 5. Price - 18 020 rubles.

• "New Water Expert Osmos MO600." Transparent storage tank holds 7.5 liters of purified water. Productivity - 0.2 L / min. Users noted the great taste of water, beautiful design. The disadvantage is the high cost. Rating - 5 out of 5. Price - 14 590–18 729 rubles.

• Aquaphor OSMO 50 5PN. Five-speed system with a 10-liter tank. Productivity - 1.3 L / min. The reverse osmosis membrane UltraTeck (USA) is used. The water is tasty, soft, does not leave scale. Of the shortcomings, users noted a large flow of water: a significant amount is discharged into the drainage. Rating - 4 out of 5. Cost - 8 046–10 999 rubles.

• "Geyser Prestige M (12 l)." System with 5 steps of cleaning and a 12-liter storage tank. Productivity - 0.13 l / min, purifies up to 200 liters of water per day. The filter has a long cartridge life, so they do not have to be changed often. It purifies even very bad water qualitatively, but for very dirty liquids it is recommended to replace the second-stage cartridge with the Aragon ion-exchange filter. Disadvantages - expensive cartridges, high water consumption. Rating - 4 out of 5. Cost - 7 390–8 490 rubles.

Direct-flow split reverse osmosis system with mineralization

This is the latest achievement in the field of water purification in the apartment has many advantages:

• Compactness. The very concept of "split system" implies the division of the structure into blocks that can be located at a considerable distance from each other. The filter unit is placed under the sink, and the pump part is located at the sewer riser. A separate plumbing cabinet is often made under it. This allows you to achieve noiseless operation of the filters, in addition, you do not need to pull an additional outlet in such a humid place as the space under the sink.

• High performance. Helps to get rid of the expansion tank. The direct-flow split system is able to ensure the purification of the required volume of water without its accumulation.
• Universality. The built-in pump allows connection to a water supply system with a pressure of 0.5 atm.
• Durability. There is a function of automatic washing of the membrane: after each switching on of the filtration system for 20 seconds, a powerful water flow passes through it in the opposite direction. So it is cleaned, retaining its properties for a long time. As a result, the membrane lasts longer, and the number of discharges into the sewer decreases.
• High quality water purification and mineralization, including saturation with useful trace elements.
• Ease of use and control due to the diode panel with light indicators.
• Reliability. All elements of the system are designed with a large margin of safety, able to withstand pressure drops and water shocks.

Models:

• Praktic Osmos Stream OUD600, 6 steps. Cost - 17 890–22 698 rubles.
• Expert Osmos Stream MOD600 is the oldest model in the line with maximum configuration and functionality. Price - 18,000-23,292 rubles.
• The Econic Osmos Stream OD360 is the most compact system. Cost - 15 900–20 592 rubles.

The main feature of the Prio New Water split systems is the innovative Japanese Toray membrane made of polymer composite film, which is considered one of the best on the market. Cope with the purification of 1800 liters of water per day. More economical than any system with a storage tank: 3 times less water goes into drainage. There is a car wash function, the systems have electronic control.

The only drawback of such systems is the high cost. But it will pay off due to the convenience and high quality of the water received.