Water Filters?

[Doc W]

I just bought a Jobo ATL3 and a tempered water system (Leedal). The ATL3 requires tempered water. The water system uses filters but I am not sure I need them. The water in my area (Ottawa, Canada) is very soft and I have never had problems developing or printing with unfiltered water.

Is there a reason why I might need water filters with the ATL3? Please share your thoughts on this.

 

[nsurit]

I have no experience with JOBO, however my water gets filtered as it comes into the house and also when it comes into my darkroom. Perhaps one way to see what is in your water might be to fill a glass with ice cubes and then with water. Set in on the counter before you go to bed and then see what is floating around in the bottom the next morning. If it looks like a glass of gin, you are OK, if not, I'd filter. My bet, if you are getting your water from a public utility, is that there will be a bunch of crud at the bottom of you glass. I harvest rain and mine looks like gin in the morning.

 

[mgb74]

You need to differentiate between water filtering remove suspended particles and water conditioning to change water quality such as hardness.

 

[Doc W]

This is definitely for filtering and not conditioning. The water in this city is very soft.

nusurit, I like ice water and drink it regularly, often leaving half-full glasses beside the sink at night. I have never seen any sediment in the morning so I am guessing my water is ok. Thanks for the tip.

 

[AgX]

Here modern houses have a particle filter at the water inlet. Typical residue is made up from finest rust particles. However, at the taps again residues can be found. These are typically calcium-copper incrustations from our copper pipes.