Valuetrex and Filmtec are both preferred brands of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, which are used in residential and small commercial water filtration systems. The main differences between Valuetrex and Filmtec membranes are in their specifications, performance (rejection rates), and pricing.
Valuetrex membranes are designed for standard residential and small commercial RO systems that pair well with your carbon and sediment 10-20" filters. They are made of polyamide thin-film composite and have a nominal rejection rate of 96%. Valuetrex membranes are known for their durability and resistance to fouling and scaling.
Filmtec membranes, on the other hand, are known for their high performance and efficiency. They are also made of thin-film composite material and have a nominal rejection rate of 98-99%. Filmtec membranes are used in a wide range of applications, including desalination, industrial water treatment, and municipal / residential water treatment. This brand is our #1 preferred RO brand. The quality is unmatched.
In terms of pricing, Valuetrex membranes are generally more affordable than Filmtec membranes. However, Filmtec membranes offer superior performance and are often considered the industry standard for high-quality RO membranes.
Ultimately, the choice between Valuetrex and Filmtec membranes depends on the specific application and budget. If you need a reliable and cost-effective RO membrane for standard residential or commercial use, Valuetrex membranes may be the best choice. If you need a high-performance membrane for your drinking water (especially if you're concerned about arsenic, chloride, fluoride, high salts (minerals) or any demanding applications such as small commercial or industrial water treatment, Filmtec brand might be the better option but if unsure, reach out to us for our unbiased recommendation.
For a residential, under the sink RO water purifier for a household of 4 members, what is the best RO membrane?
The choice of the best RO membrane for an under-sink system in a house of 4 people depends on several factors, including the quality of the source water, the desired level of water purification, and the budget.
That being said, there are several factors to consider when selecting an RO membrane for an under-sink system for a house of 4 people. Some of the factors to consider are:
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Water Quality: If the source water contains high levels of contaminants such as dissolved solids, heavy metals, and microorganisms, you may need a more advanced RO membrane such as Filmtec to achieve a higher level of water purity.
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Flow rate: The flow rate of an RO membrane determines how much water it can produce in a given amount of time. For an under-sink system in a house of 4, you should select an RO membrane that can produce at least 50 gallons per day to ensure adequate water supply.
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Efficiency: A more efficient RO membrane will help you save money in the long run by reducing water waste and minimizing the frequency of membrane replacement. Filmtec membranes are generally more efficient and have a higher rejection rate than Valuetrex membranes.
Based on these factors, the Filmtec RO membrane may be the best choice for an under-sink system in a house of 4 people. Filmtec membranes offer high-quality water purification, high flow rates, and high efficiency. However, it's important to note that the cost of the membrane may be higher than other options, so it's important to consider your budget when making a decision.
Why are rejection rates important?
Rejection rate is an important factor to consider when selecting an RO membrane because it indicates the percentage of contaminants that the membrane can remove from the water. Please note many contaminants are in solid state, these are the contaminants RO membranes are designed to reject.
In reverse osmosis, water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane that has very small pores (0.0001 micron) that allow water molecules to pass through while blocking larger contaminants such as minerals, bacteria, and dissolved solids. The rejection rate of an RO membrane is the percentage of these contaminants that are prevented from passing through the membrane and are instead removed from the water.
A high rejection rate means that the membrane is effective at removing contaminants from the water. The rejection rate is usually expressed as a percentage, with higher percentages indicating better performance. For example, if an RO membrane has a rejection rate of 95%, it means that 95% of the contaminants in the water have been removed.
The rejection rate is particularly important in applications where high-quality water is required, such as in drinking water purification, industrial water treatment, and desalination. A higher rejection rate means that the water is purified to a higher degree and is safer to drink or use for other purposes.
For those worried about RO membranes removing all minerals from water...because RO can not distinguish between minerals (salts) or other harmful contaminants, they are designed and built to reject certain amount but not all minerals. This is controlled by the size of the RO membrane, quality of your source water and water pressure. Because US municipal utilities have standardized processes to disinfect and process water, the RO systems were built to work with such water to ensure drinking water is not "flat" or "distilled" quality meaning: to retain minerals. If you would like to add more minerals after your water is purified of contaminants, there are remineralizing cartridges that can increase alkalinity and pH of your water to make it taste even more refreshing. These come in "inline" form or can be added as an additional stage with their own housing.
In summary, the rejection rate is an important factor in selecting an RO membrane because it indicates the effectiveness of the membrane at removing poisons from the water. A higher rejection rate means better water quality and safer water for consumption or commercial / industrial use.