At a certain point, you'll need a replacement RO membrane for your reverse osmosis water filter. These don't last forever, and eventually, they don't filter out contaminants as well as they once did. But, it can be confusing trying to figure out which one of these is right for your specific filter. And how long do RO membranes last? We'll answer all this and more.

What is an RO membrane?

The RO membrane is the actual "filter" in your reverse osmosis system. It's a semipermeable membrane that picks and chooses what can pass through, similar to a gatekeeper. It keeps the bad stuff out, while letting the water flow through.

When should I replace the RO membrane?

There is no real blanket statement for how long an RO membrane will last, or when you should replace it. It ultimately comes down to how hard you are making your filter work. If your feed source is super contaminated, your membranes will need to be replaced faster. You also need to consider how much water you're filtering. If you only need to filter 5-10 gallons a day, your filter will last way longer than someone filtering 100+ gallons a day at a commercial facility.

Assuming you aren't trying to filter something seriously contaminated, your membrane should be replaced every 2-3 years.

Which replacement reverse osmosis membrane do I need?

When replacing your reverse osmosis membrane, you need to stick with the same brand. So if you have a GrowoniX filter, get a GrowoniX membrane.

We've made it easy to find the right membrane for your system. We carry all the top brands here, such as Active Aqua, Ideal H20, Hydro Logic, and GrowoniX. You'll find the lowest prices and the best service here at Hydrobuilder. If you aren't sure which one of these is the right one for your RO filter, give our experts a call at 888-815-9763 and we'll help you pick the right one.