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Reverse osmosis (RO) systems remove nearly all dissolved minerals from water, including beneficial ones like calcium and magnesium. This results in water that is very pure but often tastes flat or bland due to the lack of minerals. Additionally, the absence of minerals can make the water slightly acidic, with a pH typically between 5.0 and 6.5.
To improve taste and balance pH, an alkaline filter is added as a final stage in some RO systems. This filter reintroduces essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium into the water. Doing so raises the pH to a more neutral or slightly alkaline level (typically 7.0–8.5), enhances flavor, and gives the water a smoother mouthfeel.
In short, the alkaline filter prevents flat water by restoring minerals removed during RO filtration, making the water more pleasant to drink and less acidic.
Reverse osmosis tips. Only use dow filmtec membranes. Everything else is worse and not worth savinga few bucks. Amazon sells the film tecs for 30.00. Ispring is a decent starter brand for kits. Tank and the autoshut off valve are the weakest link. Might switch them out ASAP. Bulk Reef Supply is your best friend for RO. They dont sell garbage. Pumps are silly IMO. I get 98-99% rejection without it. If you do get a pump, this one is crap. Get a flowtec or shurflo. The pressure tank, is most likely the first thing that breaks though, and it's very hard to get an American tank. USA Water Systems used to sell American tanks, but now it seems you have to buy the whole 500.00 us system to get the us tank. Pretty solid warranty though.
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems remove nearly all dissolved minerals from water, including beneficial ones like calcium and magnesium. This results in water that is very pure but often tastes flat or bland due to the lack of minerals. Additionally, the absence of minerals can make the water slightly acidic, with a pH typically between 5.0 and 6.5.
To improve taste and balance pH, an alkaline filter is added as a final stage in some RO systems. This filter reintroduces essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium into the water. Doing so raises the pH to a more neutral or slightly alkaline level (typically 7.0–8.5), enhances flavor, and gives the water a smoother mouthfeel.
In short, the alkaline filter prevents flat water by restoring minerals removed during RO filtration, making the water more pleasant to drink and less acidic.
This is all I was saying and I got downvotes. Aklanine water tastes better and it may not cure anything it's better to drink water that has the same alkalinity nature intended. Never In history unless we drank distilled water all the time did we drink anything like reverse osmosis water. Science proves in places where mineral content is higher better outcomes happen. Just google "what happens if you drink reverse osmosis water all the time"
Last edited by lionnoize January 12, 2026 at 01:35 PM.
Buy a cheap TDS meter online and check the readings on both RO water and the tap water. For example, you get 50 PPM from RO water and 500 PPM from the tap water:
(500 - 50) / 500 = 90%.
90% is your RO rejection rate, which is good. I would say anything above 80% is acceptable for home RO system.
Make sure you change the pre-filters and post-filters once a yeart so RO membrane doesn't get etching out by chlorine in the tap water. And you are golden! There is no need to change RO membrane unless you see the rejection rate drops or the production drops.
I'm at 10 years on the RO membrane as my TDS meter indicates 85-90% rejection rate still. My RO manufacturer Watts Premier states they usually last 3-5 years. Only thing I've noticed is the RO system will start filtering water seemingly when not needed and not stop unless I turn on/off the kitchen faucet to which it's connected...then it stops right away. I replaced the Automatic Shut-off Valve, but it still happens. Could it be due to an old RO membrane too?
This is all I was saying and I got downvotes. Aklanine water tastes better and it may not cure anything it's better to drink water that has the same alkalinity nature intended. Never In history unless we drank distilled water all the time did we drink anything like reverse osmosis water. Science proves in places where mineral content is higher better outcomes happen. Just google "what happens if you drink reverse osmosis water all the time"
Alkaline water (the higher pH) better for mouth/teeth too. But I assume most people will get the minerals lost in RO water from their diet already.
I'm at 10 years on the RO membrane as my TDS meter indicates 85-90% rejection rate still. My RO manufacturer Watts Premier states they usually last 3-5 years. Only thing I've noticed is the RO system will start filtering water seemingly when not needed and not stop unless I turn on/off the kitchen faucet to which it's connected...then it stops right away. I replaced the Automatic Shut-off Valve, but it still happens. Could it be due to an old RO membrane too?
When RO is making water, it's extremely slow and it seems like forever. It maybe normal that you feel it's taking a long time. But it does eventually stop, doesn't it?
The only thing I would check the ASV but you already replaced it.
You could shutoff the valve on the top of the storage tank and turn on the drinking water faucet and see how much it's coming out. It's the actual RO permeate flow rate. If it's dripping, then you may need a new membrane as it has been scaled pretty bad, the permeate flow is drastically reduced while it keeps sending reject brine to the drain.
Got 1. My hope is if the pump fails, it will still work because it has a tank.
I had a tank system for many years. The filter goes into the housing unit, where as this one the filter cannot be separated from the housing. My guess is that is why the filter is expensive. On the plus side, the housing unit won't crack and flood your floor.
If you ever change the filter that goes into the housing, you will see how nasty it is. Surprisingly nasty. I live in a metropolitan. We suppose to be able to drink out of the faucet.
If you boil water in a glass kettle, overtime you will see a layer of white residue. This does not happen with RO water.
If this RO filter last me 5 years, I would be a happy man. My last RO unit lasted 8 years before the filter housing cracked.
PS: the only purpose for the pump is to help move the water through the RO membrane faster, thus reducing water waste. Without the pump, it's wasting up to 3 gal per 1 RO gallon.
Last edited by rixsaw January 12, 2026 at 02:45 PM.
I have an RO filter (not this brand) but it's a game changer for Texas water. The water doesn't have many "contaminants" but a substantial amount of sodium (500ppm). Great for appliances, not great for taste.
Why do none of these advertise hooking up to a refrigerator? I did with mine, and drilled a small hole in the wall to get to the bathroom sink for the waste drain. Much more useful than an extra faucet for your sink.
i have it under the sink and T'd off and hooked up to the refrigerator and my Keurig coffee maker with a float valve
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amazon.com and just look around for what you like with clear housing and standard 10 inch filters ... if you want simplicity setup and some over the phone/email help support then bulk reef supply is a great choice as others have mentioned.
Deal is for tank options. Tankless is better, specially if placing under sink
Totally agree- have always had tanked ROs and just upgraded to my first tankless. NIGHT and DAY- will say the limitation of tankless is having power under your sink to plug it into. MUST HAVE POWER with tankless- not tanked though
Medical science (SCIENCE) will tell you that your body will regulate the acidity of your body no matter what Gwyneth Paltrow or anyone else on the internet tells you. There is nothing you can ingest that will change the pH of your body as long as you lungs and kidneys are functioning properly. Well that is within reason and not deadly. As far as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, well, they are commonly known as electrolytes and most people consume way more than they need with drinks and supplements. This is causing an increase in kidney stones! Also your liver will detoxify your body not things that make you cry on the toilet. So take the information however you want, but just remember. Even though you think it makes sense and feels good if SCIENCE tells you that you are wrong. YOU ARE WRONG.
The claims about lowering pH inside the body were always BS. But extending those BS claims to alkaline water isn't necessarily the same. The body strictly regulates blood pH, but you can affect urine pH. That's where there might be some benefits to having an alkaline diets and water. If your body is struggling to get rid of uric acid etc, at least one reputable study says an alkaline diet promoted significant UA excretion in urine compared to the acidic diet group, despite the acidic group consuming foods higher in purines. There was lower UA floating in their serum as well. Difference in pH was 5.92 vs 6.51.
Source: I have gout. Anyone who has knows the pain that forced me to read scientific journals. Anywhere will alkaline water get you there? Not sure. I don't think alkaline water is necessary, many of us live in hard water areas. We don't drink tap water but our ice machine does, and we cook with it. If there are white mineral stains all over your water fixtures you don't need alkaline water. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/arti...MC3406944/ Effect of urine pH changed by dietary intervention on uric acid clearance mechanism of pH-dependent excretion of urinary uric acid - PMC
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Your comment demonstrates a profound lack of knowledge on this topic. Alkaline water is not a standardized term that means a specific PH range. I can make Alkaline water of various PH and it's all still considered "Alkaline water", as long as the PH is greater than 7. Alkaline water is by definition, a water imbued with alkaline properties - with the ability to neutralize acidity. I understand the chemistry just fine, as such I wouldn't make an erroneous statement that alkaline water is definitionally a specific "lightly Alkaline" PH range. Yup, baking soda is an easy way to make water alkaline.
Your response demonstrates a clear lack of understanding of chemistry. "Alkaline water" as marketed is "lightly alkaline" as I stated, which is why I stated it that way for CLARITY. I specified that BECAUSE the true definition of alkalinity would be a PH range from over 7 to something dangerous.
You are simply barking up the wrong tree.
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To improve taste and balance pH, an alkaline filter is added as a final stage in some RO systems. This filter reintroduces essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium into the water. Doing so raises the pH to a more neutral or slightly alkaline level (typically 7.0–8.5), enhances flavor, and gives the water a smoother mouthfeel.
In short, the alkaline filter prevents flat water by restoring minerals removed during RO filtration, making the water more pleasant to drink and less acidic.
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To improve taste and balance pH, an alkaline filter is added as a final stage in some RO systems. This filter reintroduces essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium into the water. Doing so raises the pH to a more neutral or slightly alkaline level (typically 7.0–8.5), enhances flavor, and gives the water a smoother mouthfeel.
In short, the alkaline filter prevents flat water by restoring minerals removed during RO filtration, making the water more pleasant to drink and less acidic.
(500 - 50) / 500 = 90%.
90% is your RO rejection rate, which is good. I would say anything above 80% is acceptable for home RO system.
Make sure you change the pre-filters and post-filters once a yeart so RO membrane doesn't get etching out by chlorine in the tap water. And you are golden! There is no need to change RO membrane unless you see the rejection rate drops or the production drops.
The only thing I would check the ASV but you already replaced it.
You could shutoff the valve on the top of the storage tank and turn on the drinking water faucet and see how much it's coming out. It's the actual RO permeate flow rate. If it's dripping, then you may need a new membrane as it has been scaled pretty bad, the permeate flow is drastically reduced while it keeps sending reject brine to the drain.
I had a tank system for many years. The filter goes into the housing unit, where as this one the filter cannot be separated from the housing. My guess is that is why the filter is expensive. On the plus side, the housing unit won't crack and flood your floor.
If you ever change the filter that goes into the housing, you will see how nasty it is. Surprisingly nasty. I live in a metropolitan. We suppose to be able to drink out of the faucet.
If you boil water in a glass kettle, overtime you will see a layer of white residue. This does not happen with RO water.
If this RO filter last me 5 years, I would be a happy man. My last RO unit lasted 8 years before the filter housing cracked.
PS: the only purpose for the pump is to help move the water through the RO membrane faster, thus reducing water waste. Without the pump, it's wasting up to 3 gal per 1 RO gallon.
Why do none of these advertise hooking up to a refrigerator? I did with mine, and drilled a small hole in the wall to get to the bathroom sink for the waste drain. Much more useful than an extra faucet for your sink.
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Source: I have gout. Anyone who has knows the pain that forced me to read scientific journals. Anywhere will alkaline water get you there? Not sure. I don't think alkaline water is necessary, many of us live in hard water areas. We don't drink tap water but our ice machine does, and we cook with it. If there are white mineral stains all over your water fixtures you don't need alkaline water. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.ni
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Your comment demonstrates a profound lack of knowledge on this topic. Alkaline water is not a standardized term that means a specific PH range. I can make Alkaline water of various PH and it's all still considered "Alkaline water", as long as the PH is greater than 7. Alkaline water is by definition, a water imbued with alkaline properties - with the ability to neutralize acidity. I understand the chemistry just fine, as such I wouldn't make an erroneous statement that alkaline water is definitionally a specific "lightly Alkaline" PH range. Yup, baking soda is an easy way to make water alkaline.
You are simply barking up the wrong tree.
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