07-15-2007, 12:04 PM
Ours treatment system is laid out this way: main holding tank, pressure pump, pressure tank, 20 mic. sediment filter, 5 mic. carbon filter, UV light, house. Water is cleaned up after the pump and before the UV light. It's best to have the water clean and clear for the UV to do the most effective job of killing pathogens. I would think that it's better for the pump to pressurize the pressure tank directly instead of through the filters and UV chamber.
I was made aware of something else regarding pressure: if you use the larger 20" jumbo filters (4.5" diam.), the pressure is not affected very much. In fact, I changed from our original 10" jumbos (20 mic. sediment, 10 mic. carbon/cellulose combo) to 20" jumbos (20 mic. sediment, 5 mic. carbon/string combo, smaller pores on this one) and I haven't seen any decrease in pressure; I have a pressure gauge after the 2nd filter. The 20" filters cost more but not significantly more, and they are supposed to last longer. If they last 8-12 months as I was told, the cost savings will be well worth the switch. I was able to use the same filter housing heads, the O-ring mating was the same for both sizes. While the 5 mic. in the 20" x 4.5" size didn't seem to make a difference in pressure, I'm not sure how a 1 mic. filter would do.
I've heard a concern that not filtering sediment before the pump could jeopardize the inner workings. But I've also heard that this isn't a problem.
Edited by - Les C on 07/15/2007 16:07:17
I was made aware of something else regarding pressure: if you use the larger 20" jumbo filters (4.5" diam.), the pressure is not affected very much. In fact, I changed from our original 10" jumbos (20 mic. sediment, 10 mic. carbon/cellulose combo) to 20" jumbos (20 mic. sediment, 5 mic. carbon/string combo, smaller pores on this one) and I haven't seen any decrease in pressure; I have a pressure gauge after the 2nd filter. The 20" filters cost more but not significantly more, and they are supposed to last longer. If they last 8-12 months as I was told, the cost savings will be well worth the switch. I was able to use the same filter housing heads, the O-ring mating was the same for both sizes. While the 5 mic. in the 20" x 4.5" size didn't seem to make a difference in pressure, I'm not sure how a 1 mic. filter would do.
I've heard a concern that not filtering sediment before the pump could jeopardize the inner workings. But I've also heard that this isn't a problem.
Edited by - Les C on 07/15/2007 16:07:17