Skip to main content

(360) 800-5535 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm PST

Login
0 Cart { % include 'bold-options-hybrid-cart-item-count' % }
Financing Available Starting at 0% interest Login
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm PST
(360) 800-5535 info@trimleaf.com
Search
0 Cart
(360) 800-5535

Send Us a Message

Search

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Reverse osmosis systems remove dissolved solids, chlorine, and chloramine from tap or well water before it reaches a grow room reservoir, reducing starting PPM close to zero. Home and small commercial units range from 200 to 1,000 gallons per day (GPD), sized to how often a reservoir is filled. Commercial systems scale from 2,000 GPD past 16,000 GPD for facilities running multiple flowering rooms. Output depends on feed water pressure, typically 40 to 80 PSI, and membrane rejection rate, usually 95 to 98 percent of total dissolved solids. The key sizing decision is matching GPD output to reservoir fill frequency, not total reservoir volume, since undersized systems create long fill times and oversized systems add unnecessary cost.

Also in Water Management

1955 Verified Reviews 4.8/5
Free Shipping on Most Items
We Price Match
Easy Returns

Buyer's Guide

Reverse Osmosis Systems: Complete Guide

How Do I Choose a Reverse Osmosis System for a Grow Room?

Sizing comes down to daily water demand and source water quality. A reverse osmosis system strips dissolved solids, chlorine, and chloramine from tap or well water before it reaches your nutrient reservoir, so the numbers on your feed chart mean what they say. Undersize the system and you'll be waiting hours to fill a reservoir; oversize it and you're paying for membrane capacity you never use.

What GPD Rating Do I Need for My Grow Space?

Gallons per day (GPD) is the spec that matters most, and it scales with reservoir volume and how many times per week you're mixing nutrients:

Grow Scale GPD Needed Example Unit
Tent or small closet, one or two reservoirs 200 GPD GrowoniX EX200
Multi-tent room, daily reservoir turnover 1,000 GPD GrowoniX GX1000
Commercial cultivation, multiple rooms 4,000+ GPD Axeon N-4000

Commercial rooms running multiple flowering zones often step up further into the Axeon N-Series, which scales past 16,000 GPD for facilities mixing hundreds of gallons per shift.

What Should I Look for in a Reverse Osmosis System?

  • GPD rating: match output to how fast you actually drain a reservoir, not just its total volume, since production rate is measured under ideal pressure and drops with cold or low-pressure feed water.
  • Membrane rejection rate: most grow-room systems reject 95-98% of total dissolved solids, which is enough to zero out a feed chart's starting PPM.
  • Feed water pressure: most residential systems need 40-80 PSI to hit rated output; if your incoming pressure runs low, budget for a booster pump from the start rather than troubleshooting slow fill times later.
  • Pre-filtration stage: chlorine and chloramine in municipal water shorten membrane life fast; a sediment or carbon pre-filter stage upstream protects the membrane and extends replacement intervals.
  • Storage and delivery: higher-GPD systems assume you're filling a reservoir or storage tank directly rather than running on-demand, so plan tank size around your mixing schedule.

Growers dialing in exact nutrient ratios after the RO stage should also see our guide to nutrient distribution in hydroponic systems, which covers what happens to dissolved solids once clean water reaches the reservoir.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What size reverse osmosis system do I need for a grow tent?
A 200 GPD system like the GrowoniX EX200 covers a single tent or small closet running one or two reservoirs a week. If you're filling a reservoir daily, step up to a 1,000 GPD unit so fill time stays under an hour.
Does a reverse osmosis system remove chlorine from tap water?
RO membranes reduce chlorine somewhat but chlorine and especially chloramine shorten membrane lifespan when they hit the membrane directly. A carbon pre-filter or dechlorinator stage ahead of the RO unit protects the membrane and is standard practice on municipal water.
Why is my RO system's output slower than its GPD rating?
GPD ratings are measured at ideal feed pressure (typically 60-80 PSI) and moderate water temperature. Cold water, low incoming pressure, or a partially fouled membrane can cut real output well below the rated number, which is when a booster pump or membrane replacement becomes worth checking.
Can I run an RO system on well water?
Yes, but well water often carries more sediment and iron than municipal supply, which clogs pre-filters faster. Check your well water's hardness and iron content before sizing, since heavy sediment loads call for a dedicated sediment filter stage ahead of the RO membrane.
How often do RO membranes need to be replaced?
Most grow-room membranes last 2-3 years with proper pre-filtration, though heavy chlorine exposure or high sediment can cut that in half. A steady drop in rejection rate or output is the signal to check replacement membranes sized to your system.
Do I need a booster pump with my reverse osmosis system?
If your incoming water pressure is below 40 PSI, a booster pump raises it to the range most membranes need to hit their rated GPD. Homes on well systems or upper floors of multi-unit buildings run into this most often.
Expert Support

Need Help Choosing the Right Equipment?

Our team is here to help. Call us or browse our curated guides.

Call (360) 800-5535 Browse Guides