Are you in need of advice on selecting the most suitable reverse osmosis system for your aquarium? You have come to the right place.
In this informative article, I will guide you on how to carefully choose a RO/DI (reverse osmosis deionized water) system that will cater to your specific needs.
Moreover, I will provide you with comprehensive reviews of the top-performing RO/DI systems currently available, ranging from affordable to high-end options.
As an aquarium owner, it is vital to ensure that the water conditions in your tank are optimal for the health and wellbeing of your aquatic pets.
By using a reverse osmosis system, you can effectively purify and remove impurities from your tap water, ensuring that the water in your aquarium is safe and healthy for your fish and other aquatic inhabitants.
So, whether you are a seasoned aquarium hobbyist or a beginner, this article will equip you with the knowledge and expertise you need to choose the right reverse osmosis system for your aquarium. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Reverse Osmosis System for Your Aquarium: Factors to Consider
Although all reverse osmosis systems are intended to purify tap or hose water for aquarium use, it’s important to note that not all of these systems are created equal.
Various reverse osmosis systems come with different specifications, such as larger capacities for frequent water changes in big tanks or additional filtration stages for superior water purity.
To determine which reverse osmosis system is ideal for your aquarium, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of key features, including the flow rate, number of filtration stages, type of membrane, and system certifications.
The flow rate is a critical feature to consider as it impacts the amount of purified water the system can produce in a given time. If you have a large tank that requires regular water changes, you may need a higher flow rate.
The number of filtration stages is another important consideration. Additional filtration stages can help remove more impurities, producing higher-quality water for your aquarium.
The membrane used in the reverse osmosis system is also a crucial factor to consider. Some membranes are designed for specific types of contaminants and can be more effective in removing them.
Lastly, it’s essential to take into account any system certifications. Look for systems that have been certified by recognized organizations, which ensure that the system meets strict standards for water quality and safety.
Understanding the features of a reverse osmosis system is crucial in determining which system is right for your aquarium.
Taking the time to consider the flow rate, filtration stages, membrane, and certifications will help ensure that your aquarium water is safe, clean, and healthy for your aquatic pets.
Determining the right gallons per day (GPD) for your aquarium.
The gallons per day (GPD) rating is a crucial aspect to consider when selecting a reverse osmosis system for your aquarium. This rating refers to the maximum amount of water that the system can purify in 24 hours, from the tap to the final stage of filtration.
It’s worth noting that the GPD rating assumes that the system is running at maximum pressure for the entire day. In reality, most systems will only produce around 60-85% of their rated GPD, which is an important consideration to keep in mind.
The number of gallons of purified water you require for your aquarium will depend on several factors, such as the size of your tank, how often you change the water, and whether your reverse osmosis system is connected to a storage tank.
Typically, a higher GPD rating is preferable as long as you can store the excess purified water. This is because a higher GPD rating means that the system can produce water more quickly, which can be helpful if you don’t want to wait around for hours for several gallons of purified water.
To determine the minimum GPD rating you require, you can divide the size of your tank in gallons by the number of days between water changes.
This will provide you with the minimum GPD production that your reverse osmosis system needs to keep up with your water-changing cycle.
If you connect your reverse osmosis system to a storage tank, you can produce more purified water than you strictly need and use it when it’s time to change the water in your tank.
TIP
If you filter water directly into an open plastic bucket, you need to keep a close eye on the bucket to avoid overflowing it.
By taking into account the size of your tank, how often you change the water, and other factors, you can choose the right GPD rating for your needs and ensure that your aquarium water is safe and healthy for your aquatic pets.
Filtration simplified: How many stages do you really need?
When choosing a reverse osmosis system for your aquarium, the number of filtration stages is an important consideration. While some systems have a single stage of filtration, others may have up to six stages.
The number of filtration stages you require will depend on the quality of your tap water and your desired level of purity for your aquarium. If your tap water is high in impurities, such as chlorine or heavy metals, you may require a system with more filtration stages to remove these contaminants.
In general, a reverse osmosis system with at least three stages of filtration is recommended for aquarium use.
This typically includes a sediment filter to remove large particles, a carbon filter to remove chlorine and other chemicals, and a reverse osmosis membrane to remove dissolved solids and other impurities.
Some systems may also include additional stages of filtration, such as a deionization stage to remove remaining impurities and minerals.
A four-stage reverse osmosis system with a deionization stage can be a good option for aquariums where pH balance and mineral content are important factors.
The deionization stage can help to remove any remaining impurities and balance the water chemistry, ensuring a healthy and stable environment for your fish and other aquatic life.
However, these systems can be more expensive and may not be necessary for all aquariums.
Six-stage reverse osmosis systems can be an even more advanced option for aquarium owners who want to ensure the highest level of water purity.
The additional carbon filters help to remove more impurities and chemicals from the water before it reaches the reverse osmosis membrane, improving the efficiency of the system.
The extra carbon filter after the reverse osmosis stage can also help to remove any remaining chlorine or other contaminants.
Overall, a six-stage reverse osmosis system can be a good choice for aquariums with sensitive or delicate aquatic life that require a high level of water purity (delicate reef tank).
What type of membrane should I use?
Choosing the right type of membrane for your reverse osmosis system is an important factor to consider when shopping for a system for your aquarium. There are several types of membranes available, including cellulose triacetate (CTA) and thin-film composite (TFC) membranes.
Cellulose triacetate
Cellulose triacetate (CTA) membranes are a less expensive option, but they require a higher pH level and can be prone to bacterial growth, which can negatively impact the water quality in your aquarium.
CTA membranes are particularly well-suited for use with tap water that is already relatively pure, such as municipal water supplies that have already undergone some form of treatment.
In these cases, the lower impurity removal rates of CTA membranes (usually around 88-94%) may be sufficient to produce high-quality purified water for your aquarium.
However, it is important to note that CTA membranes should only be used with chlorinated water.
This is because the chlorine helps prevent the growth of bacteria on the membrane’s surface, which can degrade its performance over time.
Thin-film composite
Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes are a more advanced and expensive option that are more efficient and can handle a wider range of pH levels.
They are also less prone to bacterial growth, which is especially important for maintaining the health of your aquatic life.
These membranes are capable of removing up to 98% of total dissolved solids from your water. However, they are sensitive to chlorine and require a carbon pre-filter to protect them from damage.
For aquariums with very sensitive inhabitants, it is recommended to use a six-stage system with a high rejection membrane.
These membranes are capable of removing up to 99% of total dissolved solids, ensuring the water is of the highest quality for the aquarium. However, they also require a carbon pre-filter to protect them from chlorine damage.
Certifications
When purchasing a reverse osmosis filter, it is recommended to check for certifications from reputable organizations such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and NSF.
NSF is a consumer product testing laboratory that evaluates products for safety, performance, and quality.
On the other hand, FDA certification indicates that the water produced by the reverse osmosis system is safe for human consumption, which is important to verify before using it in applications such as filling an aquarium tank.
What are the benefits of using reverse osmosis system in fish tank?
Using a reverse osmosis (RO) system in a fish tank can provide several benefits that can promote the health and wellbeing of the fish and aquatic plants:
- Removes impurities: An RO system is designed to remove impurities from water, such as chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants that can be harmful to fish and aquatic plants.
- Regulates pH levels: RO water is neutral in pH, and it can be customized to achieve specific water parameters, such as hardness and alkalinity. This is especially important for sensitive fish species that require specific water conditions to thrive.
- Reduces mineral buildup: Regular tap water contains minerals that can accumulate over time, leading to mineral buildup on surfaces in the tank, such as the glass or substrate. RO systems remove these minerals, reducing the amount of buildup and making it easier to clean the tank.
- Longer Life of Equipment: An RO system can also help extend the life of aquarium equipment, such as filters and heaters, by reducing the buildup of minerals and other contaminants in the water.
- Promotes fish health: By providing a clean, stable, and healthy environment, an RO system can help promote the health and wellbeing of your fish, reducing the likelihood of illness and disease.
Overall, using an RO system in a fish tank can provide many benefits that can help create a thriving and healthy aquatic environment for your fish and plants.
What to consider when choosing an RO system?
I can provide some general guidance on what to consider when looking for a reverse osmosis/deionization (RO/DI) system for your aquarium.
- Capacity: Consider the size of your aquarium and how much water you will need to produce each day. Make sure to choose a system with a large enough capacity to meet your needs.
- Water Quality: Look for a system that produces high-quality water with low levels of contaminants, as this is crucial for the health and well-being of your fish and other aquatic life.
- Ease of Use: Choose a system that is easy to set up, use, and maintain. Look for features such as easy-to-replace filter cartridges and clear instructions.
- Durability: Look for a system made from high-quality materials that are built to last. This is important to ensure that the system can withstand regular use and provide reliable performance over time.
- Cost: Consider your budget and look for a system that offers good value for your money. Keep in mind that while some systems may be more expensive upfront, they may provide better long-term value by producing higher-quality water and lasting longer.
By considering these factors, you can find a RO/DI system that is best suited for your aquarium and provides the necessary benefits to keep your aquatic pets healthy and happy.
Best reverse osmosis deionized (RO/DI) system
To assist you in selecting the optimal reverse osmosis system for your aquarium, I have scrutinized and analyzed five RO/DI systems that complement a broad spectrum of aquariums.
Furthermore, my evaluations provide insights into why these systems are excellent choices for various aquarium setups and financial plans.
iSpring RCC7AK
iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75 GPD, Alkaline 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System, pH+ Remineralization RO Water Filter System Under Sink, Superb Taste Drinking Water Filter
Designed to remove up to 99% of over 1,000 harmful contaminants, including chlorine, fluoride, lead, arsenic, and asbestos, this system has been certified to NSF/ANSI 58 standards and features a 6-stage alkaline remineralization layered filtration process.
iSpring includes an additional 6th stage that restores healthy minerals and produces a balanced alkalinity. This gives your aquarium safer water, while also restoring the essential minerals that may have been removed by the RO membrane.
Installation is a breeze, as the water purifier is designed for do-it-yourself installation, and all necessary parts are included.
With the clear installation manual, instructional videos, and access to lifetime technical support, the entire alkaline water filter fits nicely under a kitchen sink.
For leak-free installation, simply push tubing ½ inch deep into quick-fitting connectors and lock; no threading pipes are needed.
iSpring from America’s favorite brand of under sink water filter is the highly rated reverse osmosis systems. It comes with a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty upon registration and lifetime personalized support from GA, USA.
APEC Water Systems ROES-PH75
APEC Water Systems ROES-PH75 Essence Series Top Tier Alkaline Mineral pH+ 75 GPD 6-Stage Certified Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
This premium 6-stage system is designed, engineered and assembled in the USA to ensure the highest quality and safety standards.
It removes up to 99% of impurities such as chlorine, taste, odor, VOCs, fluoride, arsenic, lead, heavy metals and more, while also enhancing the alkalinity and taste of your water with food-grade calcium.
With a max TDS of 2000 ppm and feed water pressure of 40-85 psi, you’ll enjoy unlimited clean drinking water. The ROES-PH75 is also WQA certified and features long-lasting filters to treat tap or well water.
And with an easy DIY installation process and 2-year extended manufacturer warranty, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you have a dependable and long-lasting system for your home.
AQUATICLIFE RO Buddie 3-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
AQUATICLIFE RO Buddie 3-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System, RO Unit 100 GPD
The AquaticLife RO Buddie is a 3-stage reverse osmosis system designed for residential use. It produces up to 100 gallons of fresh tasting and clean water, free from contaminants.
The system effectively removes up to 98% of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) using a Sediment, Carbon, and RO Membrane filtration process. The RO membrane filter reduces impurities and TDS from the water down to 1 out of 10,000 of a micron.
The 5-micron sediment filter captures and reduces unwanted particulate material such as sand, silt, and rust, while the 5-micron activated carbon filter reduces chlorine and conditions the water prior to the RO membrane filter. The connection type is flexible and easy.
The system produces both filtered water and concentrate water, with the waste water safe to use for watering plants.
It is ideal for aquariums and more, producing about 2 gallons of filtered water per hour if water pressure is 65 PSI and temperature is 77°F.
The system includes 1/4″ tubing and easy connectors for leak-free setup.
Simple on/off operation and a timer make using the system a breeze.
Note that additional prefilter may be needed for those on NYC area water supply or on well water with CO2.
AQUATICLIFE Twist-in 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration
AQUATICLIFE Twist-in 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Deionization System, RO/DI Filter Unit 75 GPD
The AquaticLife 4-stage reverse osmosis deionization system is a water filtration system that produces clean and clear water for residential use.
It has a daily capacity of 75 gallons of deionized water, with the RO Membrane Filter 75 GPD effectively removing up to 98% of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water.
Installation is made easy with the included adapters that allow for conversion to a standard garden hose thread, as well as a hose to 1/4″ tubing adapter for easy connection to a washing machine spickot.
The included float valve makes it easy to fill tanks, containers, and aquariums automatically, with the float being adjustable as needed.
The Twist-In RO/DI unit uses 1/4″ tubing and easy connectors for a leak-free setup, and the sediment and DI resin cartridges feature translucent housings to view inside the cartridges.
The system also includes specialty plumbing components such as 90° Elbows that make it easy to customize the installation and use of an optional booster pump or pressure tank for water applications.
Geekpure 3 Stage Portable Aquarium Countertop
Geekpure 3 Stage Portable Aquarium Countertop Reverse Osmosis RO Drinking Water Filter System-100 GPD
With high-quality design, Geekpure system can reduce up to 98% of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, fluoride, and more than 1000 contaminants with a filter fineness down to 0.0001 micron.
Geekpure features quick push fittings and a thin-film composite Ro membrane that complies with NSF/ANSI standard 58, ensuring that you get healthy and great-tasting pure water.
With a capacity of 100 gallons per 24 hours and a ratio of pure water to waste water at 1:2, RO system is smart-sized and can be installed anywhere you want.
It is easy to install and replace filters, and there is no need for plumbing or electrical installation.
The system comes with all parts necessary for an easy DIY experience, and clear, well-organized instructions will guide you through the installation process.
Geekpure offer a 1-year manufacturer warranty, and there is no need for registration. Don’t waste money on professional installation – install it yourself and enjoy pure water anytime, anywhere.
Countertop Portable Universal 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis RO
Countertop Portable Universal 5-stage Reverse Osmosis RO Purification Water System with DI Deionizing Mixed Bed (close to 0 PPM) postfilter, build in USA
The Reverse Osmosis System is a portable and easy-to-install solution for anyone looking to have ultra-pure water in their aquarium. It can be attached to a kitchen faucet without the need for a plumber, and it takes less than 60 seconds to install.
This system produces 3 gallons of pure water per hour, and it features a state-of-the-art 5-stage reverse osmosis filtration process that removes more than 600 contaminants.
The 5 stages include a 5-micron sediment filter, a coconut activated carbon filter, a high rejection TFC reverse osmosis membrane, a deionizing mixed bed polishing filter, and a coconut carbon filter cartridge.
The RO membrane has a capacity of 75 gallons per day and can remove contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, lead, chromium, radium, viruses, and bacteria.
This system is designed and assembled in the USA, and it comes with a kitchen faucet diverter and adapter.
LiquaGen- 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis & Deionization
LiquaGen- 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis & Deionization (RODI) | Aquarium Reef Water Filter System – 75 GPD | Water Purifier for Fish Tank with Filter’s Included
The LiquaGen 5 Stage Aquarium Filter Machine is a pre-assembled reverse osmosis system that is designed to purify water and eliminate small impurities like chlorine. LiquaGen 5 is ideal for use in aquarium water treatments, laboratory testing, and other applications where ultra-pure water is necessary.
The system has 5 filtration stages, including a 5-micron polypropylene sediment filter, UDF activated carbon filter, coconut carbon filter, RO membrane, and inline DI canister.
The system comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty and lifetime customer support.
The LiquaGen system uses premier media, including activated charcoal carbon media, which provides high chlorine reduction and great dirt-holding capacity.
The polypropylene sediment aquarium filters come with a 3-layer honeycomb gradient design, making it 3x more efficient than other water purifiers’ non-gradient filter.
The reverse osmosis membrane capacity is 75 gallons per day (GPD), and it is tested ANSI Standard 58 for material requirement.
The system is easy to install and maintain, and it offers control over the quality of water you provide to your fish.
Koolermax AR-122 6-stage RO+DI Aquarium Reef Reverse Osmosis Water System 150 GPD New Complete
Koolermax AR-122 6-stage RO+DI Aquarium Reef Reverse Osmosis Water System 150 GPD New Complete
This is a high-capacity 6-stage RO DI water system designed for a variety of applications, including aquariums, aeroponics, misting, hydroponics, and ultra-pure water needs.
The system utilizes a 150GPD RO membrane to generate an average of 120 gallons of purified water per day from a household water supply with an input pressure of at least 45 psi.
The 6 stages of filtration include a sediment filter, two carbon filters, a TFC-150 RO membrane, and two color-changing DI filters.
The DI resin changes color to indicate when it needs to be replaced.
The system includes all necessary filters, tubing, and installation hardware, as well as an extra garden hose adapter and instructions.
It is designed and assembled in Santa Ana, CA, USA, and the manufacturer has over 23 years of experience in building reliable RO systems. Free tech support is available in the USA.
The AquaFX Barracuda 100 GPD RO/DI System
The AquaFX Barracuda 100 GPD RO/DI System
The system comes with a high flow/high rejection AquaFX TFC membrane, a 1-micron sediment filter, a 2-micron Chlorine Guzzler Carbon Block Filter, a virgin color-indicating DI resin cartridge, and a 160 PSI pressure gauge.
The system includes quick connect fittings and a filter wrench for easy cartridge replacement.
The solid aluminum bracket ensures durability and rust resistance.
The system is easy to set up and comes with everything needed except an adapter for the sink faucet.
The RO/DI unit is able to reduce the TDS reading from 50-60 ppm to exactly 0, which is expected from this type of system.
In conclusion
Using a reverse osmosis system in a fish tank provides many benefits, including the removal of impurities, regulation of pH levels, reduction of mineral buildup, extension of equipment life, and promotion of fish health.
When choosing an RO system, it is important to consider factors such as capacity, water quality, ease of use, durability, and cost.
By selecting a high-quality RO system that meets your specific needs, you can create a clean, healthy, and thriving aquatic environment for your fish and plants.
