Is the API Tap water filter considered an R/O filter? (link inluded)

[EmmanuelJB]

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Is that considered an R/O filter? Would it be good for saltwater aquarium water?

[Northernguy]

It says in the description that it is great for both FW and SW aquariums.

I have never used one though! I am thinking about it now!lol

[EmmanuelJB]

So it is considered a an R/O unit? It would be good for purifying tap water for mixing with salt? Would it remove everything like a regular R/O unit does?

[kaybee]

So it is considered a an R/O unit? It would be good for purifying tap water for mixing with salt? Would it remove everything like a regular R/O unit does?

It's not considered an R/O unit.
At best it seems be perform as the DI phase of RO/DI filtration.
What that means it will probably produce water comparable to RO/DI water but filter exaustion will occur quicker.

In the order of the water flow RO/DI units typically are comprised of:

1) Pre-sediment filter stage (removes particulates as small as 5 to 1 microns,
depending on type)

2) Carbon stage (removes impurities, chlorine and chloramines (by breaking the ammonia/chlorine bond) as well as particulates down to 0.5 micron depending on what carbon filter is used, filter substances that make it pass the Pre-sediment filter.

3). Reverse Osmosis Membrane. Depending on the type, remove almost everything (95-99%) remaining in the water, filtering out particulates, bacteria, dissolved salts, metals, etc down to 0.001-.0001 micron in size.

4) DI Resin. Removes everything the makes it past the RO Membrane (such as the ammonia that part of the chloramine is broken down to, an other compounds that RO cannot remove). If the substance makes it pass the membrane the DI will catch it.

The DI alone is comparible to the RO portion but the DI resin would be quickly expended (where as the membrane can last for years). DI resin filtering the same type of water that the RO handles would probably last less than a month.

As for how this all is related to the filter in question:

The API Tap Water filter isn't RO but seems to produce water equivalent to DI water (if so it should produce water with a TDS of 0ppm). The down side is that you may go through a lot of replacement media refills. On another site selling the same product they say it this filter can produce 25-125gallons of pure water before exhausted (life-span depends on how much stuff is being removed from your tap water). By comparison, an RO/DI unit will produce significantly more than this before the DI resin is due for replacement.

If getting this filter (or an RO/DI unit for that matter) it's recommended that you have a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter so you know when replacement is required.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

To add to what Kaybee has said, the upside to a DI only filter is that it produces no waste water at all. Kanti/Ani systems work on the same premis, basically acting as a DI only filter (different media) and depending on your TDS out of tap it can last longer or shorter. Typically their system 1 is good for 100gal of water. The big plus for the Kanti/Ani system is that the media is rechargable and can be done by the user or can be sent away for recharging. If you are wanting to be water conscious then a system like the Kant/Ani system is a good choice. Price is a huge downside to it though.
If you have a high TDS out of your tap then I wouldn't recommend a DI only filter system since you would be changing or charging the media very frequently.

[EmmanuelJB]

Will the API filter remove phosphates?