Many RO systems are available with a higher flux rate than the ones recommended on the RO systems page. Since they can produce brewing water on demand (or at least within a much shorter timeframe), the convenience factor is significant. However these systems come with other disadvantages. Generally speaking, higher flux systems have a lower rejection rate, they require greater water pressure (which requires a pump in most cases), and they are much more expensive to purchase and maintain. Unfortunately there are no systems available producing over 600 gallons per day (gpd) that meet all of our optimal quality requirements (see RO systems). Therefore, if you want a high-quality system with such a high production rate, the best option is to build it yourself, or buy a customized system from somewhere like Buckeye Hydro that can meet your particular specifications.
Here we review some of the high-flux RO systems available and point out the problems with each one.
| Product
|
Stages
|
Notable Features
|
Problems
|
| Evolution-RO System
|
- Carbon filter, 1 micron
- Two RO membranes, 1200 gpd total
|
Includes:
- Pressure gauge
- Choice of flow restriction
- In-line manual shut-off valve
- Plastic garden hose adapter
|
- No sediment filter
- Includes a poor quality pre-filter. The included 1 gpm carbon filter is not designed for the flow rate of this system
- No flush valve
- 60 psi recommended (pump not included)
- Non-standard housings (?)
|
| Proseries 600
|
- Sediment filter, 5 micron
- Carbon block, 10 micron
- Carbon block, 10 micron
- Two TFC RO membranes, 600 gpd total
|
Includes:
- Two booster pumps
- Pressure gauge
- Pressure regulator
- Manual flush valve
- Check valve
- Standard 20" pre-filter housings
|
- Includes poor quality pre-filters (1 micron or lower preferred)
- Unnecessary number of pre-filter stages
|
| Tier1
|
- Sediment filter, 5 micron
- Carbon block, 10 micron
- Two RO membranes, 700 gpd total
- Carbon block, 10 micron
|
Includes:
- Automatic shut-off valve
- Standard 20" pre/post-filter housings
- It's unclear whether the pressure gauges and in-line TDS meter are included
|
- Includes poor quality pre-filters (1 micron or lower preferred)
- No flush valve
- No pressure gauge?
- Potentially unnecessary post-filter stage
- 70 psi recommended (pump not included)
|
| Weco Hydrosense-0500
|
- Sediment filter, 5 micron, multi-layer
- Carbon block, 5 micron
- Carbon block, 0.5 micron
- Five TFC RO membranes, 500 gpd total
- GAC
|
Includes:
- Pressure gauge
- 4x booster pumps with automatic pressure sensor
- Standard 20" pre-filter housings
|
- Includes poor quality pre-filters (sediment filter must match the carbon filter)
- Unnecessary number of pre-filter stages
- Potentially unnecessary post-filter stage
- No flush valve
|
| iSpring RCS5T
|
- Sediment filter, 5 micron
- GAC, 5 micron
- Carbon block, 5 micron
- RO membrane, 500 gpd
- GAC
|
Includes:
- Booster pump
- Pressure gauge
- Automatic flush system
- Standard 10" pre-filter housings
|
- Includes poor quality pre-filters (1 micron or lower preferred)
- Unnecessary number of pre-filter stages
- Potentially unnecessary post-filter stage
|
| PREMIER - Commercial Grade
|
- Sediment filter
- Carbon block
- KDF85/GAC[note 1]
- RO membrane, 1000 gpd
|
Includes:
- Standard 20" pre-filter housings
|
- No information is provided about any of the pre-filters or RO membrane
- Unnecessary number of pre-filter stages
- No flush valve
- No pressure gauge
- Requires 100 psi (pump not included)
|
| Flexeon AT-1000 (400 gpd through 7000 gpd models also available)
|
- Sediment filter, 5 microns, multi-layer
- Carbon block, 10 micron
- Three TFC RO membranes, 1000-1200 gpd total
|
Includes:
- Booster pump
- Pressure gauges for pump and pre-filters
- Manual shut-off switch
- Permeate and concentrate flow meters
Options:
- Upgrades available. See the the specific system manual for more information.
- Flushing available with the premier package
|
- Includes poor quality pre-filters (1 micron or lower preferred)
- No flush valve with the base package
|
| Buckeye Hydro Commercial RO System 1000 GPD (500 gpd through 4000 gpd models also available)
|
- Sediment filter
- Three RO membranes
|
Includes:
- Booster pump
- Permeate and concentrate flow meters
- Pressure gauges for pump and pre-filters
- Manual shut-off switch
- Options available, including an automatic flush system
|
- No information provided about the pre-filter or RO membranes
- No carbon pre-filter (!!!)
|
- ↑ KDF® 85 removes hydrogen sulfide and reduces iron by the redox process and filtration. It is also bacteriostatic and inhibits the growth of microorganisms in the filter.
Buyer tips[edit]
When selecting pre-filters, keep in mind that the flow rate must meet the entire feed water rate (including the concentrated water going down the drain), not just what is recovered. A quality filter should also provide specifications that tell you the expected pressure drop it causes, which may help compare products.
Beware of misleading marketing hype like "Guaranteed to remove up to 99% of contaminants". Any regular water faucet can make the same claim since 0% is "up to" 99%.
See also[edit]
