The reverse osmosis system is commonly found in the kitchen for purifying the water we drink. What most people did not know is that you can also have the best RO system for aquarium.
Such a system would come with impressive features important for removing the contaminants in the water so that your aquarium inhabitants are living in a healthy environment.
Based on your needs, there is a possibility of getting different types of RO systems. You can get an RO system for your reef tank, saltwater or freshwater aquarium.
Table of Contents
The 6 Best RO System for Aquarium
Pictures | RO System | For Aquariums | Links |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Koolermax AR-122 6-stage RO+DI Aquarium Reef RO system | Up to 120 Gallons | |
![]() | AquaFX Barracuda RO/DI Aquarium Filter | Up to 50; 100 Gallons | |
![]() | Aquatic Life RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Systems | Up to 50; 100 Gallons | |
![]() | LiquaGen 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis/Deionization | Up to 75 Gallons | |
![]() | SpectraPure MaxCap RO/DI System | Up to 90 Gallons | |
![]() | 0PPM Portable 150 GPD Reverse Osmosis RO+DI Filtration | Up to 150 Gallons |
Best Reverse Osmosis Water System for Aquarium Reviews
1. Koolermax AR-122 6-stage _ Best RO DI system for reef tank

To be among the best models, then it had to give the users something better. Well, for this model, you get the impressive 6 stage filtration process.
With so many layers of filtration media the water has to go through, then you can be sure that in the end, you have clean water that still looks great. No more cloudy water once you are done with the whole filtration process.
The model is further made to deliver an impressive capacity of 120 gallons. With many RO systems not having the same type of capacity, then you can be sure that it would be perfect for your large aquariums. A number of additional features included with the model come in handy to make sure that you get to enjoy using the model for longer.
Compared previous models might have had issues with the wastage ratio, but this model has improved on that. There is no more water wastage when cleaning. The additional DI filter is great for helping to remove the ions from the water so as to maintain the pH level for your aquarium water.
The manufacturer sends you the model with all the things you will need for mounting. You get all the filters, membrane, pressure gauge, tubing, and other important installation hardware. You still get free tech support on the installation part so that you get it right always.
Pros
- Impressive water capacity
- Efficient for filtering the water
- Impressive faster outflow
- It has less water wastage ratio
Cons
- It might need more time to get it in position
2. AquaFX Barracuda RO/DI Aquarium Filter

For this model, you will definitely get the value for your money each time you get to use it. The model is made to work for both the freshwater and saltwater aquarium. You no longer have to get yourself different RO systems for each type of aquarium. With such impressive capabilities, you should get more people loving to get one for themselves. The best part is that the model is still made to be affordable.
Being a 4-stage model, it should be sufficient to deliver the right filtration you might need for your aquarium. The 2-micron chlorine guzzler carbon block filter is important for this whole process. You can always be sure that all the contaminants in the water will easily be filtered and removed from the water giving your fish a clean environment.
As much as the filter is good, the speed of filtration is also important for any person looking to pick the best RO water system for the aquarium. For this model, the good news is that you get a high flow membrane. There is still the idea of high rejection membrane even when the speed of filtration is faster. The high rejection is important to remove any dirt and contamination that might be in the water.
There is a pressure gauge important for you to know when not to exceed the recommended pressure for filtration. The solid aluminum metal brackets should easily keep the rust from affecting the aquarium.
Pros
- It offers a faster outflow
- It has a high rejection membrane
- Easy to set up
- Rust protected
Cons
- Considered to have a high water wastage ratio
3. Aquatic Life RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Systems

This being a model from a top brand, then you can expect that it would be the best too in terms of functionality. For this model, it comes with the best filter to ensure that you get clean water in the end.
The RO Buddie TFC membrane is great for removing the harmful substances found in the water. The membrane is also great for removing the heavy metals dissolved in the water. If left dissolved in the water, these kinds of heavy metals would affect the marine life.
The model has the capacity of filtering 50 to 100 gallons per day. With most models having something lower, then this capacity should be great. The reliability of the model combined with the use of top materials should make it great for using this model for most of the filtration process of different aquariums.
The best part is that you can easily upgrade the 3-stage system to the 4 stage system with ease. The 4 stage system comes with the Deionization part which should add more functionality to the model. So, instead of ending up to have to change the whole RO system, you swap the membrane and you should be good to go.
So, what about the size? Most people would be concerned about the size as it would affect where they put the model. For this model, it is made to have a small footprint so that you can place it under cabinets or in the tight spaces around the aquariums. If you have to replace anything, the manufacturer offers you a great manual on doing that.
Pros
- It is very easy to install
- It allows for easy upgrades
- It is compact in size
- It is easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- It often has issues of leakages if not installed correctly
4. LiquaGen 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis/Deionization (RO/DI)

This model comes with an impressive six-stage purification system. With such kind of a system, you would always get more people interested in using the model more often. They are sure that at the end of the day, they would have purified their water to a satisfactory level. What is important is that you get to install it correctly just are recommended by the manufacturer, and you should have no problem.
The model is made to have a replaceable polypropylene sediment filter. The work of this filter is to help protect the membrane by first removing all the particles before letting the water to get to the membrane. Many people who have used it would seem that it is easier to change the sediment filter than the whole RO membrane. All the clogging particles, rust, and minerals are caught by the filter to keep the clogging away from the membrane.
Another important thing to find in this model would be the two activated carbon cartridges. What they do is to help with eliminating chlorine, radon, volatile organic compounds, and chloramine. At the end of the process, you should have clean water that the marine life would easily thrive on.
This US-made RO membrane is important for removing the heavy metals, lead, arsenic and mineral salts in the water. You should always have clean water at the end of the process each time. The deionization cartridges in the model come in handy to remove any traces of metals, ammonia, phosphate, and nitrate.
Pros
- Produces 100 gallons per day
- The contaminants are easily removed
- It is easy to clean the system
- Ease of installation
Cons
- It lacks a pressure gauge for maintenance monitoring
5. SpectraPure MaxCap RO/DI System

The capacity of the model is made to be 90 gallons per day. This means that you can always filter more water per day. For most aquariums, they often have the capacity within this range.
You can now get to filter the water faster and keep the aquarium water and better. The performance is still amazing since it comes from a top brand, so the filtration is something that you will always like.
The model is made to have a rejection film important for removing the contaminants in the water. The best part is that the film offers up to 99 percent rejection of the contaminants. With such a rating, then you can be sure that it will leave your water clean and better.
The model is further made of strong materials important to keep the model strong and usable for longer. If you check out a model that has been used for years, it would still be looking great thanks to the strong materials. The non-rust mounting bracket is great for keeping the model in position for long. You get a manual flush valve important for keeping your membrane to last for longer.
Pros
- It has less water wastage ratio
- It has a 99 percent rejection thin film
- The mounting brackets do not rust
Cons
- It is an expensive model
6. 0PPM Portable 150 GPD Reverse Osmosis RO+DI Filtration

To make it easier on the users to install the system, the manufacturer has included everything you need for the installation. You get filters, membrane and a sink faucet adapter important for the installation process. For those who have trouble using the adapter, you can always get a different one as they are easily available.
You can always attach the RO system to different tools for various applications. You can have it attached to the sink or the aquarium depending on where you need to find water. Many people would love to keep using it as it is made to deliver up 150 gallons per day. Such an impressive amount of water filtration should make the model great for filtering the water for home use.
The membrane is built to give the best filtration for both pure and wastewater. Such additional water filtering capabilities should make people find it great to use most of the time. The membrane is still highly durable as it can work for long before there is the need to change it.
Pros
- Affordable
- It has the mounting hardware
- It works even with minimal pressure
- Small size
Cons
- Deionizing chamber is small
- The faucet adapter is brittle
What is the Best RO System for Aquarium?
There are a number of different RO systems for aquarium, but for this list, the AquaFX Barracuda model seems to be the best. It comes with impressive capacity and great filtration capabilities that should easily keep the water of the aquarium clean.
How to Set Up RO System for Aquarium?
The setup is different from one model to another, but most of them would come with a mounting bracket. You do not necessarily have to mount on the aquarium but close to it. Connect the hoses and you should be ready to start using the model.
Which Reverse Osmosis System is Best for Reef Aquarium?
The reef aquarium would come with more maintenance, so you need a model that could deliver the deliver the best performance. It should be able to deliver great performance important for removing all the contaminants in the aquarium water.
The Koolermax AR-122 model is one of the best for reef aquarium. It comes with more capacity important for cleaning the contaminated water easily and faster.
Conclusion
Ending up with the best reverse osmosis water system for aquarium just got easier. Most people who would have thought that it is hard to have the right RO system can now choose based on this guide.
We have highlighted some of the top models you can get on the market right now. This just goes to show you how reviews are important. It is only from reviews that you can get to learn more about what the model is all about.
This report and comparison was great, very much appreciated !
Hello to you so which system did you go with.