Water filters

[BetterSense]

Do you find it necessary to use a water filter when using city tap water? Have you ever had an actual particulate problem using unfiltered water? I am building a water panel and although I have never had a problem using unfiltered tap water, I am debating adding a filter. Where do you buy water filters, anyway?

[Vaughn]

There can be times (usually winter storms) when we might get a load of dirt thru the lines. Sometimes it is because they are working on the water supply pipelines. The only water we filter are the sinks where the students develop film. Hardware stores carry them.

[jeroldharter]

I am always amazed at the crap that gets filtered out of my water. Of course, that is the sum of filtering many gallons but every little spec could end up on a negative. Better safe than sorry.

[Leigh]

I am always amazed at the crap that gets filtered out of my water.
So am I.

I use 2 micron filters on both the hot and cold lines, and I'm disappointed in how often I need to change them. :rolleyes:

- Leigh

[David de Gruyl]

I've switched to distilled for everything but rinse water. I filter rinse water.

I was shocked by the scale that is in my distiller, if that's any indication.

[Gem Singer]

Ever since I found out that the so called "distilled" water sold in grocery stores was actually filtered tap water, I have been using water from the dispenser that is built into the door of my refrigerator. It's tap water that is filtered through a two micron filter. That's the water I use for mixing the processing chemicals in the darkroom.

(A simple method of regulating the temperature of the water; if too cold, warm it in the microwave, if too warm, add ice from the dispenser).

For washing film, I use tap water that is filtered through a five micron water filter purchased at Home Depot. The filter is connected to the film washer inlet with flexible tubing, and the outlet drains into the sink.

[David de Gruyl]

Ever since I found out that the so called "distilled" water sold in grocery stores was actually filtered tap water, I have been using water from the dispenser that is built into the door of my refrigerator.

They don't sell distilled water here. They only sell bottled water / spring water. Both of which are fancy names for tap water in a plastic container. Mineral water is the same thing with extra minerals added, possibly (minerals are bad for film, in case that wasn't clear).

[BetterSense]

I used to be able to get real 18Mohm-cm ultrapure deionized water from the university, and take it home by the 5-gallon jug, but ever since I got a real job, deionized water is actually a controlled chemical like any other so I can't just take it home in a bottle. Photoflo is optional with ultrapure water...you can actually spray it on clean glass, let it evaporate, and there will be no spots left at all from the droplets. I have taken to buying distilled water for the final rinse, but I'm wondering if it's worth the money over filtered tap water since I don't think it's actually steam-distilled. When I mix record cleaning fluid using grocery store "distilled" water, it will definitely leave water spots if you just let it evaporate.

[Allen in Montreal]

......but I'm wondering if it's worth the money over filtered tap water since I don't think it's actually steam-distilled. When I mix record cleaning fluid using grocery store "distilled" water, it will definitely leave water spots if you just let it evaporate.


That is discouraging, I buy distilled water for my pyro developing. :(

In Montreal, 2 of the biggest selling bottle water brands state on the label that tap water is the source. The mayor is trying to get bottled water banned within the city.

When we had a darkroom at the newspaper, we always used filters and it was shocking to see how much crud they picked up.

[Jim Noel]

I solved the problem years ago by installing a reverse osmosis system. It has paid for itself many times over.

[Rick A]

The way I see it, cheap insurance to have good quality in the dark room. For all the more the units cost, its worth the effort and price.

[Peter De Smidt]

There are lots of good filter systems designed for people with Aquariums.
I have an RODI (reverse osmosis de-ionized) 75 gallon per day system. Air, Water, Ice is a reliable vendor, as is Bulk Reef Supply.

[Brian C. Miller]

A few years back my apartment's water heater sprung a leak. I helped my landlord install a new water heater, and I convinced him to put a water filter on it. The crud that accumulates in that filter can be substantial.

[Drew Wiley]

Our tap water quality here is quite good, but I run the print washer water thru a filter.
For certain technical applications I use distilled water, but again, don't find it necessary for conventional printing work. Distilled and deionized are two different things should be sold with distinct labeling. I need distilled for highly pH sensitive work
like dye transfer dyes and color separation negs. I can buy it so cheaply at the store
that there is no sense in having my own distiller. I also used distilled water for the final
rinse of negatives after the wash cycle. If I lived somewhere with hard water, I'd rinse
the prints in it too.

[Sal Santamaura]

Ever since I found out that the so called "distilled" water sold in grocery stores was actually filtered tap water...


...I have taken to buying distilled water for the final rinse, but I'm wondering if it's worth the money over filtered tap water since I don't think it's actually steam-distilled...As with most things, it's important to read all the fine print. Most "distilled" water sold at retail is actually labeled "for distilled water uses" or weasel words to that effect. The only brand I purchase states it was made via "steam distillation." A bit more expensive, but worth the cost to me here where our tap water is similar to the air quality, i.e. "crunchy." :)

[HMG]

I've gotten my filter housings at: http://filter.filtersfast.com/nav/cat1/10inchwaterfilterhousings/0?format=cat1

Note that most housings are not rated for hot water. So I installed mine after the hot and cold are mixed.

[SeanEsopenko]

I use RO water from the store for my film & paper developer, stop bath and for final rinse. I have an RO/DI system but the acreage here doesn't have the water pressure to drive it. Sometimes I'm lazy and use well water for paper developer but I strive for consistency when developing film so I use RO water all the time now. I don't like it when I can't reproduce past results...

Plus the PH here is about 8.3 at times (wow!) so I'm kinda neutralizing my stop bath ahead of time if I use it. I always have to rinse very well to keep the hard water film from drying on prints & negatives. It's tough to wash off if it dries on.

I start moving my darkroom into a studio in the city in May so I'm very excited :). I'll be hooking up my RO/DI system again, I'll have running tap water and no more draining into buckets!

EDIT: I know RO water from the dispenser in Safeway is questionable. I have a TDS meter and when I used to be into salt water aquariums I read varying results from the dispenser. But unfortunately it's all I have available at the moment.