This simple guide will explain the basics of Reverse Osmosis Filters and how they work for aquariums. We hope it helps.

Reverse osmosis filters are attached to a tap water system in your home. The R/O filter cleans your tap water, removing most harmful metals, toxins, minerals, and chemicals, giving you crystal clear, lab grade water. Not only is the water that an R/O produces perfect for drinking water, but also as a basis for the atmosphere your fish will live in.

An RO works by forcing the water through a membrane filter. CTA & TFC are the most common membrane types. CTA units cannot be used with water that contains Chlorine, while TFC units can be used on almost any water source. A good RO system will also have a prefilter, which will help extend membrane life. Many also have carbon filters for odor removal, a micron cartridge for maximum prefilterting, and a resin exchange module, which, depending on the resin, can do a multitude of beneficial things.

Maintaing an RO is easy, change the prefilters and membrane as scheduled. For areas of extremely hard water, a periodic flush of the membrane with a flush kit can help extend membrane life by 50-75%.

R/O water used in a freshwater environment can be beneficial, but there are downsides. The water that an R/O produces is almost truly pure. This means that there are no trace elements, salts, etc. These trace amounts of minerals and salts are needed for healthy fish and will need to be added to the water before use. Fish that are kept in R/O water that does not have the needed added elements will be more prone to disease and sudden unexplained deaths. The good news is that almost all pet stores, as well as eBay, (Find Freshwater Elements) carry inexpensive bottled elements that can be added. When freshwater fish are kept in R/O water with the added elements, life expectancy goes up, water changes are needed slightly less frequently, and fish become more disease resistant.

R/O water in a salt or reef environment carries the same penalties as above, but the fix is much more simple. When you do your normal water changes, you are adding trace elements into the R/O water when you mix the salt. Doing normal, scheduled water changes on your aquarium will continually replenish the trace elements that your inhabitants leach out. In a reef environment, adding the trace elements back into the water, especially calcium, iodine, strontium, molybdenum and other required elements are a must.
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