Chemistry Gurus-Ichthyoid-Got a Carbon Question

[acroholic]

Guys,
I am wondering if anyone knows this: how long (or how many gallons) would a standard BRS refillable carbon container (from standard media reactor) filled with their lignite GAC dechlorinate regular tap water?

GAC cartridges from Lowes/HD are surely more expensive than using a BRS cartridge and refilling, but I don't know how long the stuf would work for dechlorinating tap water?

Where it stands now, best solution I can think of would be to test for chlorine in some water going through it or just replace it at regular intervals.

Any input is appreciated.
Dave

 

[weaglereefer]

Dave, don't those Brita filters and pitchers use carbon cartridges and they suggest replacing at regular intervals (don't know what it is)? I would compare the volume of one of those to the volume of the refillable BRS container, and then adjust the interval for changing accordingly.. That should get you pretty close.

Edit: just checked on the shelf, one of the faucet filters is rated for 100 gallons or 4 months, whichever is first. And it looks like it might be 1/2 the size of the BRS container, figure it's not entirely full, guess 1/3?

 

[acroholic]

The cartridges you buy for replacement at HD/Lowes are usually good for 3 months or 1000 gallons, I think. These are the whole house water filter types. I can't help but think there is a LOT more GAC in a BRS Media holder than that, but it is also coarser. I'm sure the carbon in a replacement filter is very fine and has more surface area contact. So it may do more water with less media.

 

[ralph atl]

you could call BRS (or email) them? then let me know the answer, too! I was thinking about putting up a double behind my frig for ice & tap water.

 

[weaglereefer]

Question, how quickly or slowly does the water flow through sediment filters? I thought about hooking my RO/DI up to the fridge, but don't think I could stand to wait that long knowing how slow the RO/DI system is (and it is a 150gpd unit).