Difference between a carbon filter and RO

Posted by waterclubae on August 17th, 2017

Carbon Filtration and RO i.e. Reverse Osmosis are two of the most common water purifier systemswhich are used for water filtration and purification. Each has its way of cleaning water, and each has its pros and cons. To determine which one is best for you, the best option would be to compare them and understand the differences between Carbon Filters and Reverse Osmosis.

Carbon Filters

This method is perhaps one of the easiest and the oldest methods of filtration. Carbon Filters cover a wide range of options, ranging all the way from low-end carbon gravel. To carbon in block form, to high-quality carbon filters. 

Low-end options such as carbon gravel include refrigerator filters and Brita cartridges etc. These filters are great for removing chlorine and are often found in aquarium stores. The better versions of these filters come in the form of carbon blocks and have activated carbon in them. This removes most of the chlorine. The high-quality versions of carbon filters are much more effective as opposed to the other versions of carbon filters and can end up removing nearly 99.99% of chlorine, as well as any volatile organic compounds or heavy metals in the water.

Reverse Osmosis

This method is a membrane technology which uses think film composite i.e. TFC membranes which force water to go over a semipermeable membrane. There are usually three stages to this process:

1. Pre Filter stage

Sediment is removed and particulate that ruins the filter is also removed.

1. Membrane stage

A good quality membrane makes for the best quality results as well. The membrane separates the water from all of the other things in the water.

1. Post Filter stage

This part of the process deals with taste and odor. Carbon filters used in this process filter the water and polish its taste.

More often than not, these three steps are more than enough. Any more than 4 or 5 stage systems are highly unnecessary and just a ploy to get more money from the customer. If anything, good systems odRO has expansion options which allow you to expand the system according to your requirements such as virus guards or pH adjustment, etc.

What is the difference?

Here are some of the main differences between the two water filtration and purification systems in terms of drinking water particularly:

1. Size and how it affects what is a better option

Every impurity in water has different sizes which why one might be a better option than the other. Most carbon filters remove only 85% of particles which are sized between 0.5 and 1 micron. Reverse osmosis, on the other hand, has a 500 times size differences and can filter down to 0.001 microns.

1. Taste and Odor

Reverse Osmosis removes any bad taste and odor while carbon filters only improve them.

1. Turbidity 

RO removes turbidity, but Carbon Black only reduces it. 

1. Viruses

RO is a great way to remove viruses, but Carbon Filters do not remove viruses. 

1. Arsenic and Dissolved Solids

RO removes arsenic and any dissolved solids, but Carbon Filters do not.

1. Price

RO systems are far more expensive than Carbon Filters.

An RO purifier is the best option for drinking water, but Carbon Filters are great as well if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative. If you want to have a safe and reliable way to purify water, then RO purification systems are the best option. Just be sure to do thorough research before investing.