Hopefully that isn't a dumb question. Just wondered if fridges w/ water filters are similar to what you would get from an over or under the counter filtration system??
Posted by stillwater (Member # 30312) on :
I think most fridge water filters are just a carbon filter. It will take some things out, but most people never change the cartridge. Once a carbon cartridge is full, it starts to dump it's load.
R/O is always a better choice. Some people say to be careful to take extra minerals as R/O removes them, but honestly we don't get the bulk of our minerals from our water, but from our food.
I've been drinking R/O water for almost 20 years.
My system isn't under the counter, but those systems are fine. You just need some sort of sediment prefilter, a carbon block filter and an R/O membrane. Usually the under the counter R/O systems include a small pressurised tank. R/O filters water very slowly and you'd be waiting a long time for a glass of water with out the tank.
I originally got my R/O system for my tropical fish and needed a lot of water every day. So, my system isn't typical, and certainly not what I would buy if I only needed drinking water.
The most important thing to remember about R/O is to change the cartridges at least every 6 months. If you let them go, the R/O membrane will be damaged. That's the most expensive part.
[ 04-11-2011, 08:48 AM: Message edited by: stillwater ]
Posted by AnnaOD20 (Member # 29942) on :