charzar-g

hey all
Just a quick question, is RO water drinkable, because we're thinking of fitting it under the sink. Any help?

I have tried to but it comes up with different answers

Ta

charzar-g

just realised that i spelt Is Wrong, I put I RO water... I meant is RO water...
Oops

au01st

Yes, but you need to have the water pass through a carbon filter as well. The RO membrane blocks most bigger particles, but can still let smaller stuff through.

Also, RO/DI water is stripped of all minerals which give water taste, and can actually be unhealthy because the body uses these minerals.

Finally, most units have a 1:3 ratio, providing 1 gallon of pure water for 3 gallons of waste. Depending on your water usage, it could mean a big increase in your water bill.

charzar-g

Okay, thanks
I already knew about the minerals part, but I'll let my dad know about the rest ^^
Thankyou!

agsansoo

I drink the RO/DI water. Some people like pure water !

charzar-g

ah thanks :P
Do you do all the stuff that au01st said to do?

agsansoo

Most RO/DI unit are 3 to 5 stage filtration systems. So yes. Is this what you are referring to ?

charzar-g

Yes, but you need to have the water pass through a carbon filter as well. The RO membrane blocks most bigger particles, but can still let smaller stuff through.

^^^^^ I meant that....Or is that what you were referring to?? :/ I'm confused lol

agsansoo

Yes. Mine is a five stage system.
1) Sediment filter
2) Carbon
3) RO membrane
4) DI silica removal
5) DI chloramines removal

charzar-g

Call me stupid...
But that means nothing to me :E
I think ours only has 3 parts, i don't remeber, it still hasn't been delivered, It should come on wednesday ;(
So would that be drinkable without having to add anything else to it?

agsansoo

Yes most people like the taste of 3 stage filtered water (RO). Water is passed through
1) Sediment filter - Gets the large particles.
2) Carbon filter - removes chemicals.
3) RO Membrane - removes microscopic particles like bacteria.

Does that help a little ?

Mike

I have a 3 stage and we use it for drinking water too. activated carbon is used before the reverse osmosis membrane to remove chlorine which can damage or prematurely age the RO membrane. My setup is like this:
Stage 1) Activated Carbon
Stage 2) RO membrane
Stage 3) Activated Carbon

dvc_r

I have a 3 stage, and the water tastes much better than the tap! Our coffee is 10 time better! I used to go threw 2 coffee makers a year but now it also does not leave any deposits in the coffee maker (there are no minerals!).

Lucy

To correct a typo in your title you can click Fish Forum Thread Tools found at the top right of your thread. Choose edit thread. Delete then re-type the title.

CWO4GUNNER

I have been drinking RO water exclusively since 1997. The good is that RO is devoid of just about every dissolved solid makes it act like a sponge pulling contaminants and free radicals out of the body. The down side is it also pulls calcium and magnesium out of the body as well. So its important that you take your daily vitamin supplements or have a source of calcium & magnesium in your normals diet. Which means if you eat right RO water is only good.

From an economical side a home RO system is not very cost effective compared to buying RO from a reputable distributor who has the right higher pressure equipment to make RO affordable for everyone usually 20-25 cents per gallon (not the market). The problem with home units is that the RO membrane that sits sideways on your unit under the sink can only make 5 gallons per day because of the low city water pressure. This amount slowly drops off over 6 to 9 months and then the unit can no longer pass water through the membrane and must be replaced for about $100. Commercial RO units make hundreds of gallons per day using high pressure 350 PSI to the homes city 25 PSI. I have had one and IMHO its just not cost effective or time effective when all you can produce is 1 drop of RO per second having to wait for the amount you need for a water change 5-15 gallons for mixing at a moments notice. I maintain ten 5 gallon water bottles (50 gallons) that I take to the RO water vendor every 2 to 3 weeks. This supports my water change mixes and our drinking water including coffee and cooking dispersed from a Sunbeam $75 cooler/hot water/ refrigerator dispenser that we have had now for 5 years without needed any maintenance. The RO is always there to use and if I need more I just go get a 50 gallon fill up for $10. No initial investment, no waiting for a drip RO maker, not replacing RO every few months because you notice its either not working or has membrane media floating in your glass of water. A reputable dealer will always be present at the business, have posted purity and maintenance date posted and you can hear or see the large RO unit hissing in the background.

Indian_villager

Depends on the membrane and to what level it is filtering. if you filter out too many of the necessary ions you risk messing up your electrolyte system and having your cells burst of osmotic pressure.

CWO4GUNNER

Wow no wonder I feel pressured lately LOL

charzar-g

wow thanks for all the help everyone
It was delivered on wednesday, and we're setting it up tomorrow, thanks all

charzar-g

***are RO unit is infact 5 stages :P
I ahve the water in the tank now, then i'm going to get the saltmix online somewhere once i have enough money..
Then after that, i leave it all with the filter whilst i save for live rock.
Once thats done....i'm done!
Leave to mature again after live rock is added?
Anyone see a flaw in my plan? I want to do this right

dvc_r

Congratulations! Did you have any problems installing it? No leaks I hope. Mine went together real easy. The only problem I had was the auto shut-off valve going into the tank leaked and wouldn't "shut off", but that was because it was defective.
Well, I wish you the best of luck on both your upcoming S/W tank and your new job at the LFS.
Keep us posted.

charzar-g

Nope. no problems at all, the tank is completely full now
But i still need to get the salt mix from somewhere =[
And thankyou very much ^^
My job at the LFS Is only for work experience, so only 1 week. But a REAL job might come out of it?