filtration to reduce TDS

Definitely go reverse osmosis. I did about two years ago, and am glad I did. You can get an inexpensive unit that connects to a faucet and produces enough for a small collection (I have one, easily makes 20+ gallons in a day) from First Rays.

 

Hi Carl, I have the same kind of problem except mine is dealing with calcium build up. Will a reverse osmosis filter work on lowering calcium?

 

Dave, the only practical alternative to reverse osmosis is ultrafiltration (expensive), or buying distiller or RO water, which gets really expensive over time.

 

Absolutely.

 

Thanks Carl!

 

RO is way to go

 

If your needs don't go on par with the production (and "waste') of RO water, you may have a garden center or aquarium shop with the service for cheap, that's what I use.

 

1) modern RO systems can be configured to use far less flush water than what has be standard in the past.
2) most RO-using orchid growers find a use for the flush water, making it not a waste at all.
3) if you're philosophically against producing a secondary stream, buying the water from some service does not address that, it just shifts it to someone else.

 

As I'm in a rented flat, I don't have the option/estate (it's really cramped where I can install it) and not enough use to justify a working RO filtration, even the smallest. And the RO water at the garden center is dirt cheap. Once I pass the 500 plants, it'll be an option.
Meanwhile…

 

I'll grant that the shipping cost would be deadly, but the "counter top RO" units I sell are not mounted anywhere - you attach the inlet hose to the sink, produce the RO you need, then detach it and put it away.

 

It's not that simple here (fixed solutions)

I keep your trick in mind Ray, one day…