RO Water Filter Systems

Six6siX · 21 Sep 2016 at 09:14

Anyone got one/recommend one?

Been looking at the various stage systems Kinetico, iSpring etc and they all seem mostly the same obviously with the big names carrying a big price tag.

Seems that they all use a reasonable amount of water - is this something significant?

Are they worth it over say a simple carbon filter element fed drinking water tap?

Should note that we're in a very hard water area so the water will be softened first before going through any such system.

Firestar_3x · 21 Sep 2016 at 11:24

If you are looking at drinking it, i wouldn't want to be drinking only RO water.

Rizo-UK · 21 Sep 2016 at 11:26

RO water is fine to drink. Its RODI you don't want to drink. Will cause an electrolyte imbalance.

As far as i know putting softened water through an RO membrane will kill it fast. Tap water only

Six6siX · 21 Sep 2016 at 11:46

Whats wrong with RO water for drinking?

The softened water thing is a bit odd, could've sworn the installation diagrams I have for the softener said the RO system goes after it. Argh!

The more I read about these the more I'm tempted to just stick a simple carbon filter or something on the hard water inlet to a separate tap for drinking/cooking and keep the soft on everything else and add the main kitchen tap to it.

tom_e · 21 Sep 2016 at 11:49

Why do you actually want it?

Six6siX · 21 Sep 2016 at 11:54

Well mainly because the water doesn't taste great and leaves scummy marks on the kettle and in cups of tea/coffee!

It'd also be nice to do away with the britta filter jug that takes up space in the fridge or wherever it's been left.

Since I'm putting in the softener soon, I figured I may as well do this at the same time.

Rizo-UK · 21 Sep 2016 at 11:58

I must add that a cup of Tea made with RO water is perfect

Clear, no tang and no scum in the cup.

Source: I have a 100GPD RODI system i use for my 450ltr Reef Tank.

robfosters · 21 Sep 2016 at 12:04

Don't drink RO water long term. I know this for a fact.

RO water is demineralised. It has no calcium or magnesium like tap water has. Unless the water is remineralised, it could cause long term problems, including abnormal heart rhythms.

This need for mineralisation in water can be seen in aquatic plants. If RO water is persistently used in an aquarium, aquatic plants will slowly wither and die unless the water is remineralised before adding. Living things need the minerals in water.

Hence why the most healthy water is 'mineral' water.

tom_nieto · 21 Sep 2016 at 16:40

robfosters said:
Don't drink RO water long term. I know this for a fact.

RO water is demineralised. It has no calcium or magnesium like tap water has. Unless the water is remineralised, it could cause long term problems, including abnormal heart rhythms.

This need for mineralisation in water can be seen in aquatic plants. If RO water is persistently used in an aquarium, aquatic plants will slowly wither and die unless the water is remineralised before adding. Living things need the minerals in water.

Hence why the most healthy water is 'mineral' water.

There are plenty of other sources of electrolytes other than water if you are a human and eating food. Drinking RO water is not going to give you an abnormal heart rhythm.