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to: Frequently Asked Questions Index 4)
* Choosing & sizing system: What system should I choose, there are so
many kinds! This
is why we are the most comprehensive web site for Reverse
Osmosis Systems. Many sellers of RO systems do not even know how ROs are
affected by water pressures and temperatures. When retailers just sell inappropriate
systems for the customer's situation, consumers will be surprised by problems
like:
| Common
Problems | Cause |
| Why
there is no water in the tank? | Not
enough input pressure to work the chosen system model | | Gee,
it takes all day for the tank to be filled!! | Chose
the system with inappropriate GPD or model | | Why
does the water taste so bad? | Membrane
has failed because the chosen system is unable to treat the user's type of water |
| Help!
my system just blew up and our house is flooded with water! | Chose
booster pumped system unnecessarily —a common error of misleading web sites |
As
you can see, it is important to choose the right RO system to match your water
situation. This will keep your system running at top shape and your water
tasting great for years. A
simple way to choose your RO system: |
Your
Water Supply |
Water Pressure |
Recommended
Model | Comments |
| city
water
or
well water | 40-100
psi | -
| You
can use a Standard RO System, either RO-45 or RO-90 (45 GPD or 90 GPD), saves
you money! | | lower
pressure well water | 30-50
psi | | Low
pressure; you probably are on a well water system in the U.S. or in a different
country. | | overseas |
0-30
psi | -
-
| - Extremely
low pressure; you are either in a different country, or in the U.S. but with very
unique water situation.
| If
you have to size your system precisely,
then you need to understand that the actual flow rate GPD(Gallons Per Day) of
any reverse osmosis system depends on your home water pressure
and temperature. This is why all of our systems
are named as they are, for example: 36/45 GPD means it is rated at 36 GPD at 50
psi of water pressure, 45 GPD at 60 psi. While the industry standard is set at
60 psi, we know that not everyone's cold water is at 60 psi and 77 degrees F.
Instead of misleading customers into thinking that a 45 GPD system will guarantee
a flow rate of 45 GPD, we remind you that you might get less than 45 GPD —perhaps
36 GPD or even less if your pressure and temperature are very low! So when flow
rate is critical for you, you need to consider all these factors. 
Fact
sheet on Reverse Osmosis Water Filters
Reverse osmosis can
treat for a wide variety of health and aesthetic contaminants. Effectively
designed, RO equipment can treat for a wide variety of aesthetic contaminants
that cause unpleasant taste, color, and odor problems like a salty or soda
taste caused by chlorides or sulfates.
RO can also be effective
for treating health contaminants like arsenic, asbestos, atrazine (herbicides/pesticides).
fluoride, lead, mercury, nitrate, and radium. When using appropriate carbon
prefiltering (commonly included with most RO systems), additional treatment
can also be provided for such "volatile" contaminants as benzene, trichloroethylene,
trihalomethanes, and radon. Some RO equipment is also capable of treating
for biological contaminants like Cryptosporidium.
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