Reverse Osmosis/Diatamaceous Earth

[Kelena]

Yes, the pump is definetely in the tank. My camera didn't take a very good picture of it though. It is long and slender and works like a charm. But, you know, the fact that it is surrounded by water....

So, it goes like this: 1) Pump in tank, 2) Water flows out of tank through copper pipe to strange filter that is probably a Diatamaceous Earth filter, 3) Water then goes to, I think, two huge pressure tanks, 4) Formerly, the water then went into the house, but now, 5) Water goes through 20 micron filter, then 5 micron charcoal and then very long UV.

What do you think? Should I flush that D.E. filter? Can I? Wanna look at it?

[Daniel]

I'm not sure how to flush those kind of filters. I guess if it is like my pool filter it will have a lever on the top that allows you to flush it. But I suppose that one would change the sand inside when cleaning the filter. My advice to you, which could change upon actually seeing the whole system, would be to remove it completely. It isn't a good idea to have any kind of valve or filter between your pump and tank. Because if it plugs off, your pump will run and run and eventually burn up. Also there should be a pressure relief valve on your tank tee.

Yeah, I would like to see it. I think I could help you better. Then I could tell you for sure weather or not to remove the filter. If you would like, give me a call and I will come by. 333-2320. I will be out and about checking some other people's water today too.

Daniel R Diamond

[mella l]

I had a well for over 20 years, it was 350 feet deep and had a pump down into the well on wiring just one wire with electrical hookup. The pump decended into the well about 300 feet as to not pick up sediment. When the well drew water it went into a pressureization tank to keep the pump from cycling too much. Never even hear the pump or the pressurization of the holding tank even when irrigating. If I recall the pressure was really large like 150 or 120GPM measurement, don't even recall the lingo any more.

The tank Glen shared a picture of looks to me like a tank my inlaws had that softened the water for their entire household, it does look like a water softener to me.

mella l

[oink]

Glen,
You might want to try this forum. If you get the answer there, let us know what it is. http://forum.doityourself.com/forumdisplay.php?f=140 Right click on the link and then left click "open in new window".

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

Edited by - oink on 09/05/2007 15:05:07

[Kelena]

Thanks to everyone, in Puna, and beyond. Daniel, I am off island. I am going to learn as much as I can through research before I trouble you, but eventually it would be great if you could take a look. Place is in lower HPP.

[Daniel]

Ok, I live in HPP too. I would be more than happy to help you in any way. I love solving pump problems as it is part of my job as a water well contractor. It helps me to learn too when I encounter something new. So please feel free to ask. That goes for everyone.

A hui hou,

Daniel R Diamond

[piratelady]

Glen that is a diatomaceous earth pool filter. I have one just like it on my pool. There is a pump in front of it the water runs through the filter and then back into the pool. I have to backwash it and then add more DE about every 2 wkks. Once a year we take the whole thing apart and clean the permanent filter inside because it gets caked with DE and doesn't work as well.
If you have any questions regarding the DE filter let me know. I have been dealing with them for about 30 yrs now.

[Kelena]

Wow. A million thanks, PirateLady, and thank you to all the others in this thread who helped me to figure this out. What a great bunch of neighbors.

Okay so my pump is in the tank, and the only filter on the water that goes into the house was a Diatamaceous Earth filter. Wow. Every two weeks? I doubt this thing has been cleaned in two years.

Good thing I put on three other filters after the pump. We're good!

My system is pump-D.E. filter-two pressure tanks-20 micron filter-5 micron filter-uv light-tap!

[piratelady]

No problem, and we hope to be a neighbor soon!
If you can take a pic of it up close, the pipes going in and out of it, I can help you clean it.
Ours has a twist, turn, then pull up lever near the bottom on the pipe running out of it. You hook a pool hose onto it to run anywhere you want and then just turn on, it flushes all the nasty DE out. Just run til clean. Then you just poor new DE into wherever the input valve is. Ours uses about 5 small coffee cans of DE.
Once a year we open up the valve without power and just let it drain. Then unsrcew the screws take the top off, take the permanent filter out and wash down good.
Put the whole thing back together, turn on the power and bleed out the air at the top where the pressure guage is.
Pretty simple really.