Do you plumb soft water to your RO system?

[APW]

Just wondering. Doesn't specify in the installation manual.

 

[chaz]

Yep. Soft water supplied to all car wash functions. And a carbon filter to remove chlorine prior to RO system, otherwise you will eat through the RO membrane.

 

[MEP001]

Unless your water hardness is near zero grains, you pretty much have to supply the RO with soft water. Calcium will clog the membranes very quickly.

Did you ever test the water hardness?

 

[APW]

I have not tested it yet. I have decided to add a water softener. I'll plumb the RO system with soft water just to be safe.

 

[MEP001]

You would always plumb the RO with soft water if you have a softener.

 

[mac]

A common misconception is that so many washes plumb freaking everything with soft water. Just use it for mixing chemicals and the RO. You're wasting it, and using a LOT of salt, to use it for high pressure functions.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

A common misconception is that so many washes plumb freaking everything with soft water. Just use it for mixing chemicals and the RO. You're wasting it, and using a LOT of salt, to use it for high pressure functions.

I don't quite agree. On high pressure soap if you use hard water the show is much worse than with soft water - even with the soap is diluted with soft water.

 

[APW]

Can someone tell me what size water softener I would need. Im new to this and do not know how many gallons per day I would need.
I have 4 ss bays and 1 RO system. I know there are alot of variables but right now I have know idea what I need.

 

[MEP001]

Can someone tell me what size water softener I would need. Im new to this and do not know how many gallons per day I would need.
I have 4 ss bays and 1 RO system. I know there are alot of variables but right now I have know idea what I need.

I was waiting for you to finally answer the questions of how many bays and whether you had an auto before I could give you a proper answer.

Your peak water flow will be under 20 GPM. I'd recommend a minimum of 2 cu.ft, typically 12" x 48" tank with a 1" meter.

I highly recommend a dual setup like a Fleck 9000. There's less waste and no chance of running hard water when the capacity is reached.

 

[MEP001]

A common misconception is that so many washes plumb freaking everything with soft water. Just use it for mixing chemicals and the RO. You're wasting it, and using a LOT of salt, to use it for high pressure functions.

If your water is very hard, scale will build up in the plumbing and pumps if everything (especially hot water) isn't softened. Maintenance costs and potential downtime/equipment failure is increased because of that.

IMO the only thing that DOESN'T need to be softened is undercarriage/high-pressure rinse on a touchless auto. Everything else should be soft water.

 

[APW]

I was waiting for you to finally answer the questions of how many bays and whether you had an auto before I could give you a proper answer.

Your peak water flow will be under 20 GPM. I'd recommend a minimum of 2 cu.ft, typically 12" x 48" tank with a 1" meter.

I highly recommend a dual setup like a Fleck 9000. There's less waste and no chance of running hard water when the capacity is reached.

I do have a IBA. I'm going to build a separate pump room for my IBA. If I did add the IBA to this water softener what size would i need?

 

[MEP001]

Which auto?

 

[APW]

It is a PDQ M5

 

[APW]

I was waiting for you to finally answer the questions of how many bays and whether you had an auto before I could give you a proper answer.

Your peak water flow will be under 20 GPM. I'd recommend a minimum of 2 cu.ft, typically 12" x 48" tank with a 1" meter.

I highly recommend a dual setup like a Fleck 9000. There's less waste and no chance of running hard water when the capacity is reached.

Is this the one you are talking about? http://www.qualitywatertreatment.co...edTwinDemand64KGrainCapacity-idv-1017-20.html

 

[cantbreak80]

4+1 has potential peak water flow of nearly 40 gpm
1" Fleck 9000 peaks at 28 gpm with a 25psi pressure drop!
Probably should consider a Fleck 1.5" 9500

 

[MEP001]

You can flow a lot of water with a 1 1/2" meter, but you need to size the tanks properly to soften 28 GPM.

Before you choose a softener, you should decide if you're going to soften everything. The one you linked WILL NOT supply a touchless auto.

 

[cleaning up mud]

we have hard water and soften all water, water line goes straight to the softner from the street.