Cabon/KDF water filter

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Cabon/KDF water filter

hangon

398 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 41

#194955 31-Mar-2016 16:59

Looking at this cabon/kdf inline water filter for kitchen tap...

http://www.mountainfresh.co.nz/qcv1-kdf-kit---quick-change-kit.html

Regarding the KDF, figures show the copper/zinc are 10~20 time lower than FDA limit, I'd still get paranoid.

KDF seems popular for shower head in the states, I can't seem to find much info regarding safety of KDF filter for drinking water, i.e. the copper level before and after a KDF filter, compare to it's benefit on lead and mercury etc, test between GAC and GAC+KDF.

I might get the GAC only version - knowing GAC+KDF would in theory filter out more heavy metals and prolong filter life - albeit both are recommended to replace every 12 months, and that KDF would unavoidably add copper in.

Any thoughts or recommendations? Thanks.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

#1523499 31-Mar-2016 18:30

I'd recommend that you check water quality from local town-supply water - if that's what you're using.

For most people and uses, such filters are completely pointless - except for decreasing paranoia perhaps. On a farm with bore water etc, then maybe, but I think I'd be calling in the experts.

I presume "GAC" is granular activated carbon, which is good for removal of chlorine (and perhaps some organic contaminants). Personally I dislike chlorine smell - but I'm probably sensitive to it as it's not used (normally) in Chch water supplies. I think you get used to it - I moan about the smell of chlorine in a shower when I'm in Auckland, but locals don't even seem to notice it.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1749

#1524381 2-Apr-2016 00:25

I would only worry about copper leaching out of the filter if you live in an area with aggressive water. Also do you have copper water pipes in your house? If so remove a section and look inside. If it is green - it is ok. As a natural layer of copper oxide is forming / has formed. If it is clean and shiny - or a royal blue colour - then start worrying - as clean means that the copper is leaching into the water. And the royal blue means that copper sulphate is being produced. (which is poisonous) And if you do have aggressive water in your area it will destroy copper water pipes and cylinders.

Note also that some multi vitamin tablets have copper in them. It is added on purpose by the tablet manufacturer. And it would say on the nutritional information.

In Auckland, Watercare on purpose increase the PH and hardness a little bit so that their pipes last longer. Alot of their trunk mains are made out of cement lined steel. And there are alot of cast iron, asbestos cement, and steel watermains still in use. So a KDF filter on Auckland's water won't be any problem at all.

As for KDF filters for shower heads - would be used to remove the chlorine

Myself - I don't like the mineral taste of Auckland's water - As normal cartridge filters won't remove it. So I have a rainwater system for my drinking water. And I have a KDF filter for the icemaker fridge and a filtered water tap over the sink.

mentalinc

3384 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1023

Trusted

#1524400 2-Apr-2016 07:44

Make sure it's mains pressure as well.

Looks like they want you to install a limiting valve..

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX