Crystal Quest Water Coolers and Water Softeners

water coolers || water softeners || other Crystal Quest pages

Crystal Quest Water Coolers need no bottles! These water coolers are plumbed directly into the cold water line for a continuous water supply.  The Crystal Quest water coolers include 4 stages of filtration.  First water travels through a sediment filter cartridge that removes 99.99% of microbiological cysts, cryptosporidium and giardia, then through an activated carbon cartridge.  In the third stage water passes through an NF (Nanofiltration) membrane.  Finally, water passes through an ion Exchange cartridge that helps soften the water.  It is very effective at binding lead, copper, and other positively charged ions. It acts like a magnet to trap these contaminants onto the resin.  The contaminants that are removed are exchanged for hydrogen ions, a natural component of water. 

Nanofiltration is like Reverse Osmosis, except that the pore size is slightly larger.  Nanofiltration, like reverse osmosis, removes otherwise difficult to treat nitrates. 

The nanofiltration technique is mainly used for the removal of two valued ions and the larger mono valued ions like heavy metals . This technique can be seen as a coarse RO (reversed osmosis) membrane. Because nanofiltration uses less fine membranes, the feed pressure of the NF system is generally lower compared to RO systems. Also the fouling rate is lower compared to RO systems

Applications for NF systems are:

• softening, specific removal of heavy metals from process streams for reuse of water, and reduction of salt contents of slightly brackish water

Typical membrane performance for NF membranes  are 50% NaCl removed and 90% (or more) for CaSO₄

Other applications of nanofiltration are:
· The removal of pesticides from groundwater
· The removal of heavy metals from wastewater
· Wastewater recycling in laundries
· Water softening
· Nitrates removal

Membrane Overview

Membranes are synthetic materials that act like a very tight sieve, producing a limited quantity of treated water while rejecting larger quantities of poorer quality water. The tightest membrane process is reverse osmosis (RO) with a Molecular Weight Cut Off (MWCO) of 50 to 200; it is capable of rejecting even the smallest inorganic ions such as aluminum as well as bacteria, viruses, parasites and protozoa. The next tightest membrane is nanofiltration (NF) varying from a MWCO of 200 to 1,000. An NF membrane is also capable of rejecting bacteria, viruses, parasites and protozoa; if the NF membrane is 300 MWCO or less, it is also capable of rejecting high percentages of organic matter. (this is approximately from 0.0001 to 0.005 microns). Looser membranes include ultrafiltration (UF), which rejects particles sized from MWCO 1,000 to 0.1 microns, and microfiltration (MF), which rejects particles sized from 0.1 to 2.0 microns. These ranges are approximate and may have a wide range of overlap depending on how the manufacturer classifies the membrane. Single unit membranes generally reject about 10 L of water for every 1 L that they produce. Greater volumes of water will be rejected with cooler temperatures, inadequate pre-treatment or membrane fouling. Membrane processes require adequate pressure to force the water through the membrane and may even need booster pumps to work effectively.

• NF has larger pores than RO and removes viruses, pesticides and herbicides as well as  organics and some salts. It needs some of the same precautions (and maintenance) as RO including pre-filtration so as not to clog or foul the membrane.  It requires less pressure than RO.

It is worth emphasizing that the NF membrane  removes the hardness in water.  This is because calcium and magnesium are multivalent, thus preferentially removed by NF membranes.  In fact NF has been used for municipal water softening in Florida for a number of years. 

These water coolers, then are a near RO filtration system, and are an excellent choice if the water contains hard to filter nitrates or is very hard.  Plus they provide hot and cold water!

Water Cooler Models

Crystal Quest Floor Water Cooler is an in line nanofiltration water filter combined with a hot and cold water cooler. The four stages of filtration include a sediment pre-filter, an activated carbon cartridge, the nanofiltration membrane (NF membrane), and finally an ion exchange cartridge.  It has a cold water tank capacity of 1.5 gallons or 5.5 liters.  The hot water tank is 0.3 gallons or 1.1 liter.  Dimensions are 17.6" x 14.4" x 42".  Weight is 60 lbs. 

Price $521.45

Crystal Quest Countertop Water Filter the same 4 stage water filter as the floor model.  Replaceable cartridges are in the back of the unit rather than below.  

Price $412.75

Replacement Cartridges for the Water Coolers

• Stage 1 Sediment Cartridge

The sediment Filter is to remove rust, dirt, and gruanular impurities in water, and to reduce turbidity

Price $42.00

Quantity:

• Stage 2 Activated Carbon Cartridge

The activated carbon filter  is to remove tiny organic matter, chlorine, and other harmful matter. It can also adjust the pH value to meet customer's demands.

Price $42.00

Quantity:

• Stage 3 NF Membrane

The NF membrane is to remove large molecules or organic matter, colloid, bacteria, and other harmful matter.

Price $64.00

Quantity:

• Stage 4 - Mineralizing Activation Cartridge

The mineralizing activation cartridge is to remove tiny organic elements, heavy metals, and harmful impurities, maintaining sterilization and bacteriostasis.

Price $42.00

Quantity:

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Water Softeners  

water softeners || water softeners with triple cartridge filter

First, before selecting a water softener, you need to know how hard your water is. Water with from 0 to 3.5 GPG is relatively soft, and the costs of a water softener outweigh the benefits.. Water with more than 10.5 GPG is very hard. Between those extremes is typical, moderately hard water.  Next, you need to be aware that most communities require permits for water softeners (because of the brine discharge), and you will need to do some plumbing for installation.

After these preliminaries, you need to size your water softener. A simple formula to follow is: Capacity = (No. of People + 1 for appliance usage) x (Hardness (grains/gallon)) x (70 Gallons/day) x (Days Between Regeneration).   If you have a hardness value in parts per million  (PPM), you can easily work out the conversion of PPM to GPG by dividing the quantity of PPM by 17.1.  Units rated from about 12,000 to 16,000 grains are considered small;  20,000 to 40,000 grains is medium sized; and large-capacity models can handle 40,000 grains or more. You should allow for at least 3 days between regeneration.  

The standard whole-house softener works on the principle of ion exchange, termed "cation exchange." It conditions hard water by substituting sodium chloride (salt) for the hardness minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Inside a cation-exchange softener, the house water supply flows through plastic-like beads called "resin," arranged in columns called "resin beds" that reside in the "resin tank." These beads attract the mineral ions of hard water while giving off sodium ions. To periodically recharge the beads with sodium ions, they're flushed with salt water (brine), a process that removes the hard mineral ions from the resin and discharges them as waste. Once excess sodium is rinsed away, the cycle begins again.

A typical softener has a resin tank, resin bed, brine tank and some type of control. The resin tank is a container for the resin bed. The beads that make up the resin bed are typically made from styrene and divinylbenzene. The brine tank is filled with water and dissolved salt used for regenerating the resin beads. The unit's flow and regeneration processes are handled by the control.

The controls for regeneration are either timers or demand- initiation- regeneration (DIR) controls.  Meters are a form of DIR control.  The meter meters the usage of water and regenerates when enough water has been used to require recharging  the resin bed (with sodium ions).  The advantage of this is that the unit is not recharged early or late.   A Timer regenerates the unit based on how much time has passed, based on your average usage.  This can be wasteful if  you do not use as much water as usual, since the timer will regenerate anyway. Conversely, if you use more than usual water, it will deplete and you will have hard water once again.  The timer models usually regenerate in the night. 

The water softeners disconnects from the water supply while it is regenerating.   Some people with very hard water use dual tank models so that they can use one while the other regenerates. 

If you do not like the sodium in the drinking water, some people run a separate line to the kitchen faucet that bypasses the water softener. 

Water Softener Models

Crystal Quest softeners are ideal for the removal of lime deposits and excess calcium from your water.  Crystal Quest uses the industry-leading Fleck control valves which are available in capacities from 30,0000 - 45,000, and 60,000 grains in single or twin tank configurations.  For home, commercial and industrial applications.  The Crystal Quest water softener is engineered for maximum performance with minimum maintenance.  All components are the highest quality in the industry and FDA approved.  Delivers trouble free operation for many years with reliable service. 

Benefits:

• Keeps skin and hair healthy looking

• Keeps all fixtures from scaling and corrosion

• Keeps clothes soft and bright

• Streaks and spot-free glassware and dishes

• Spotless and free from soap scum showers and bathtubs

• Save time, money and energy

• includes Brine Tank, resin, 3/4" by-pass valve and 24 V transformer

THESE ARE EXTRA HEAVY ITEMS not included in free shipping. See shipping page for details. 

Fleck®5600 Meter Valve, 24 VAC Water Softeners

Fleck®5600 Timer/Clock Valve, 24 VAC Water Softeners

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Water Softeners combined with a high capacity (200,000 gallon) triple cartridge water filter. The water filter begins with a sediment cartridge, then features a 5-stage 200,000 gallon Crystal Quest KDF/GAC replaceable cartridge , and finishes with a solid carbon filter cartridge before entering the water softener.  The water softener is the same water softener described above.  It is available in Fleck®5600  metered valves or Fleck®5600 timed valves.  The system includes a brine tank, resin, a 3/4" by-pass valve, and a 24 V transformer. 

 Eventually hard water can clog pipes, and takes a toll on  water heating appliances such as  water heaters, dishwashers and coffee makers. Scale cakes onto interior surfaces of water heaters, making them less efficient and more likely to fail.  Water heaters have been found to operate from 22 to 30 percent less efficiently when plagued with hard-water scale. Combining the water softener with a water filter results in a savings of about $25.00 compared to buying both units separately. THESE ARE EXTRA HEAVY ITEMS not included in free shipping. See shipping page for details. 

Fleck®5600 Meter Valve, 24 VAC Water Softeners with triple replaceable cartridge water filter

Fleck®5600 Timer/Clock Valve, 24 VAC Water Softeners with triple replaceable cartridge water filter

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Crystal Quest Sealed Water Filters || Crystal Quest Ceramic Water Filters || Crystal Quest Fluoride Water Filters || Crystal Quest Replaceable Cartridge Water Filters || Crystal Quest Whole House Water Filters || Crystal Quest Reverse Osmosis Water Filters || Crystal Quest Shower, Faucet, and Pitcher Filters || Crystal Quest Water Coolers and Water Softeners || Crystal Quest Replacement Cartridges || Crystal Quest Replacement Parts || Crystal Quest Selector