Generic R/O filters vs. the name brand ones

Im sure that there are some R/O filters that are marketed for drinking or bathing and not just for gardening, like the Merlin R/O system. Anyway, if I put R/O filter I get a lot of listings for filters for around 120 bucks. Im just worried that , well, you get what youpay for, and I dont want to get a shoddy piece of equipment. Is there a decent off-brand model out there, or even just some pass-through carbon filters I can get for my tap water? Any suggestions?

I have been using 100 gal a day spectra pure R/O for sometime and it's been great. My ppm starts at 285 and after it's R/Oed it's 20ppm.
I'm a believer in you get what you pay for and when it's time to change my filters and membrane I spend the extra for the best filters.

I bought a cheap one from lowes for 150, 11 gallons a day. It goes from 1000 ppm to 850. I now buy my RO water at the grocer

I have this:

http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Mite-50GPD-DI-Added/dp/B000XDK2IE

Works well, ppm from the tap is around 250. After running it through there it comes out < 5ppm.

Have you tested your water to see what's in it first? When you guys are giving ppm of your water, what exactly are those parts? You may be able to easily reduce contaminants in the water such as chlorine. What I did was to get a copy of my local "Consumer Confidence Report" issued by my water provider which details exactly what the standard levels are for the water they treat and provide, right down to radiological contaminants like uranium. This gives me an idea what to expect if I use tap water.

It's possible that all you may have to do for decent water is adjust the Ph. and perhaps let water stand for the chlorine to evaporate. Just a thought.

Thank you so much for all of your replies. I will be +repping you in a moment.

First I want to say thanks again, quick concise answers pertaining to your experience that really offer a lot of insight.

As for the testing, mine tests at around 140-160 right now, and thats after letting it sit for about 24 hours. I use to have it at about 40-60 out of the tap, but that was last year, Sept-Dec. I dont understand, but it changes throughout the year. Also, that consumer report thing that Potato42 brought up, yes I am familiar with that, but it only gets mailed about once or twice a year, I think, and i havent seen it lately, who would I contact for a copy of that, my local water utility provider?

Ok, so again, if anyone has any recommendations for particular models, Id love to hear em, and thanks again!

go to e-bay and do a search for "portable reverse osmosis filter." you can get a unit you can screw into your kitchen sink. you fill up your jugs for the week, disconnect and put it away till next week. no tapping into water-lines.....

Silky Shagsalot said:

go to e-bay and do a search for "portable reverse osmosis filter." you can get a unit you can screw into your kitchen sink. you fill up your jugs for the week, disconnect and put it away till next week. no tapping into water-lines.....

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Ok, but Im going to need something that can at least do 50 gallons a day. I dont want to take 2 days to fill up a reservoir. Also, I need something I can use outside, something that I can plug in to any tap, or hose. Im sure most systems work that way, Im sure you were probably relating how you water (i.e. filling up at the sink).

edit - Oh, and I would like to know specific brands because I dont want to buy some piece of crap that doesn't work or has weak seals or whatever. Even the Merlin which is made by GE and is supposed to be higher end has its flaws, mainly if you dont use it enough it doesnt work as well. Its fast and can do high capacity, but its not good for intermittent (watering once or twice a week) use.

edit again - Ok, I just took out the 'portable' and got a pretty nice selection to start with, thanks!

hangshai said:

who would I contact for a copy of that, my local water utility provider?

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Yes. You can visit this site for more info and links to water providers published CCR reports http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ccr/

keep in mind that they're not all published online. My city/county wasn't on the list so I did a google search, found my local provider and called them up to make sure it's them. I asked for a copy of the CCR and at first the woman had no clue what I was talking about. She put me on hold and when she got back on she knew exactly what I was looking for and asked if I'd like it mailed, faxed, or emailed to me

I'm growing in soil myself so If I can get decent water for the plants, I don't sweat it much. I know hydro is more picky but it doesn't hurt to see what you're starting with. According to the report I got there are only about 65ppm of tested "contaminates" in my water, of which sulfate and sodium account for about 2/3 of that number. The list includes Nitrogen, Sulfate, Atrazine, Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane, Copper, Lead, Uranium, Radium, Alpha emitters, Total organic carbon (raw and treated), Total Trihalomethanes, Total Haloacetic Acids, Chloramines, chlorine, manganese, iron, and sodium.

To put it in perspective one thing we hear about a lot is chlorine or chloramine, and the combined total tested in my water is 4.6ppm. I don't expect those levels would harm the plants in any significant way.

here is what i use.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-100GPD-2-OUTPUT-Reverse-Osmosis-RO-DI-PO-5B-2W_W0QQitemZ380204822325QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5885f92f35