Don't risk impure water affecting your plant's health and growth - invest in a high-quality reverse osmosis water filter system! These RO filter systems will transform the way you feed and water your plants. It ensures they have the cleanest source of water possible.
By preventing unwanted chemicals and compounds from making their way into the root zone, you are essentially feeding an entirely blank slate of nutrients. No hidden calcium or chlorine to affect your crop!
Your plants only get what you give them. And this way, you can supercharge feeding and fine-tune nutrient ratios. When you do this, you'll be better equipped to achieve the highest quality harvest possible.
And when you shop for a reverse osmosis water system here at Hydrobuilder, you'll have access to the best collection of products from the top brands in the industry.
Whether you're a hobby grower looking for a small-scale reverse osmosis system or a more robust commercial-grade reverse osmosis water filtration system, we've got options for you. Find household names like HydroLogic, GrowoniX, and more!
What Is A Reverse Osmosis Water System?
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a means of purifying water. It is so successful that it's how we desalinate our drinking water. In gardening, it's done for other reasons. Reverse osmosis is used to filter water to eliminate any harmful particles to ensure the water used for irrigation is pure.
This is done through a filter and requires you to then treat the water with Cal-Mag supplements, as to not shock the plant's pH level. You may also need a pH adjuster kit and a pH meter.
It is especially important for gardeners growing hydroponically to ensure they are filtering their water with a RO water filter.
How Does A Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System Work?
A reverse osmosis water filtration system is the number one method of purifying water for plant use. In a hydroponic system, it is very important we make sure our plants are getting the best water possible.
The best way we can explain the way a reverse osmosis water filtration system works is visual. Take a look at the graphic below.
The first step in purifying water through a reverse osmosis filter system is allowing it to pass through a sediment filter. This will eliminate large particles.
Then the water passes through a semi-permeable membrane. This does the same as the first filter, but with smaller particles. Keep in mind that a reverse osmosis water filter cannot prevent gasses from passing through. But, an RO system usually does a good job of cleaning gas from the final product.
Reverse osmosis filter systems are designed in a number of ways, such as:
- Style of membrane
- Effectiveness at removing particles
- Recovery rate
Is RO water ok for plants?
Yes, the water produced by a reverse osmosis filter system is ok for plants. In fact, RO water is also actually the best option available! Plants will absorb anything present in the water they are given. This includes nutrients, but can also contain the harmful particles found in local tap water.
In some cases, this will lead to problems with the root, a slow growth, or toxicity to the plant. A more serious issue is when the contaminants absorbed by plants are then passed onto the humans that consume them.
RO filters can remove over 95% of dissolved solids from contaminated tap water. Knowing what is in your local water is important. But more often than not, you cannot go wrong with an RO system.
What is the best reverse osmosis water filter system?
When choosing a water filter, first determine the water needs of your hydroponic system. How many gallons will you need to filter on a daily basis?
This is known as the GPD (gallons per day) measure of your RO filter. 100-200 GPD is probably plenty for small indoor hydroponic gardens. But, large commercial greenhouses will need to filter up to 2,000 GPD! At Hydrobuilder, we have reverse osmosis filters for every size hydroponic system. Other things factor in too, such as water pressure and feed water contamination.
The Active Aqua 50 GPD Two-Stage Reverse Osmosis System is a great RO filter for hobby growers. It can filter up to 50 gallons per day. Larger commercial hydroponic operations should consider the Hydro-Logic Evolution-RO1000 High Flow RO System. Rated at 1000 GPD, it's a great choice for high volume!
Regardless of which reverse osmosis filter system you choose, you will eventually need to replace the RO membrane. At this point, you can upgrade to a membrane capable of filtering more gallons per day if necessary.
Not sure which reverse osmosis filter system is best for you? Check out our year-end review of the Best RO Systems For Hydroponics in our learning center!
The Two Main Types Of Reverse Osmosis Filters
Reserve osmosis water systems can be divided into two main categories: those for hobbyists and those for commercial growers. Here at Hydrobuilder, we've got them both. We'll quickly explain some differences you'll see among the two styles.
Small Scale Reverse Osmosis Systems
Our hobbyist reverse osmosis systems tend to be pretty straightforward and cost-effective. They range from 75 GPD up to as high as 1,000 GPD. Anything higher than that, and you’re looking at more of a commercial-style system. Even 1,000 GPD RO filters can be considered “commercial”.
These are highly efficient, with some able to run 2:1 or 1:1 waste to product ratio. They’re rated at 95%+ effectiveness, removing almost all particles from your source water.
Large Scale Reverse Osmosis Systems
We’ve also got some of the best commercial reverse osmosis filter systems on the market - such as the Hydroid, the GrowoniX CX Series, and the HyperLogic Commercial Reverse Osmosis Systems.
These come with a bit more technology integrated into them. For example, these types of systems feature a more efficient reverse ratio of up to 5:1 product to waste! And, you can choose from systems capable of producing 2,000 GPD all the way up to 20,000 GPD.
They're easily customizable, and come pre-plumbed with automatic high-pressure flush, permeate flush, flow control, and all sorts of automation capabilities. These are definitely worth checking out if you're a commercial grower seeking a high-output reverse osmosis water filtration system.
What is not removed by a reverse osmosis water system?
While RO filtration is regarded as the number one method of treating tap water, no system can remove everything. Chlorine and Radon can pass through occasionally, as can many gasses.
Some pesticides will find a way to sneak through as well. This is why it is important to know exactly what is in your tap water. This way, you can take every necessary step to remove these harmful particles. If you are especially worried about the chlorine levels in your tap water, consider a de-chlorinator.
Why buy your reverse osmosis water system at Hydrobuilder?
Are you ready to give your plants what they deserve by purchasing the best reverse osmosis water system possible? If so, you're in the right place - because you'll find exactly what you need here at Hydrobuilder! We already mentioned that we have the top brands and products in the entire hydroponics industry. But that's not even the main reason growers around the world prefer Hydrobuilder.
Instead, it's the incredible service we offer our growers. You won't find an online grow shop that cares as much as we do. Whether you need help placing an order, finding the right product, sizing your growing space, or troubleshooting problems with your grow - we're here to help. Our grow experts are just a phone call or email away ready to assist you in achieving your best grow cycle yet!
If you are unsure which RO filter is right for you, give us a call at 888-815-9763 and our experienced growers will help you pick the best one! If you are interested in learning more about hydroponics, check out our learning center!
