Water Filters

[jeroldharter]

I use filter housings for the hot and cold water lines that feed a Hass Intellifaucet valve. I use 5 micron filters. How often do people change the filters? Any advice? I just changed mine tonight after 12 months of occasional use.

 

[photomc]

Have not added filters to the DR yet, but would hazard a guess that most do not change filters as often as they should....but like I said that is only a guess. Would also think it we depend on your water supply.

 

[jp80874]

Have not added filters to the DR yet, but would hazard a guess that most do not change filters as often as they should....but like I said that is only a guess. Would also think it we depend on your water supply.

Unfortunately I have not seen anything that defines "as often as they should". A sure indicator that it is passed time to change is when the water pressure slows down indicating some blockage. It may not be a problem using this method. When it has happened here I have changed the filter, but have not noticed any dirt going by the filter. I am not sure how few microns I can see, but my purpose in filtering is to avoid visible dirt on negatives that turn in boulders on enlargements. It is possible that something in the sediment could change the chemistry, but I haven't seen it. I think the proportions are too great.

Someone please enlighten me if I am wrong.

John Powers

 

[Mick Fagan]

Having worked with many graphic film developing machines which ran a double shift 5 days a week. I have heard and seen many conflicting ways to filter water.

Pretty much the best situation is to monitor the usage or throughput, of water actually passing through the filter.

Our DuPont machines, had a meter to measure the amount of water. When a certain point had been reached, we changed the filter.

I myself have a 5 micron filter on the input side of the darkroom. Basically it's there to filter out particles large enough to make a difference to ensure film doesn't get particles stuck on it's surfaces.

I change the filter about 3 times a year in a busy year, twice in a slack year. When I find that there is slime, I figure that the filter has been in too long. Not that, that is a correct scientific situation, it's just what I do.

I've been doing this for the last fifteen years.

Mick.

 

[Early Riser]

I change the filters every 1 1/2 to 2 months depending on how much darkroom work i do. I Use 2 filters, a 5 micron pre filter and a 5 micron carbon filter, then it passes through a water softener. Even with the filtration i still use distilled water for developer and for photo flo.

 

[rjs003]

I use a whole house filter system and change out filters once a month. The filters consist of a pleated cellose pre filter and an activated charcoal polishing filter. So far so good.

 

[Dan Henderson]

As a followup question to this thread, do people use ordinary water filters that you can buy at Lowe's/Home Depot/Menard's/etc, or ones specially made for darkrooms?

 

[jp80874]

I do, but be careful. The plastic housing they sell is good up to 105-110 degrees F. That means in most cases you have to filter before it goes to the hot water heater. Good if you want to protect the heater. Bad if you have lime in your water because the heat pulls it out of the water and onto anything handy, like your work. Hot water filter housings are usually made of stainless and a lot more expensive. B&H sells these.

John Powers