Reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration systems are an excellent way to remove contaminants from your water supply and improve the quality and taste of your drinking water. Two popular models from APEC – the ROES-50 and RO-90 – offer efficient filtration in compact packages. But which one is right for your needs?
In this detailed comparison, we’ll look at the key differences between the APEC ROES 50 and RO 90 systems and help you decide which is the better choice.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | APEC ROES 50 | APEC RO 90 |
| Daily Production Rate | 50 gallons per day | 90 gallons per day |
| Tank Size | 2.5 gallons | 4 gallons |
| Filtration Stages | 3 stages | 4 stages (extra post-filter) |
| Recommended Household Size | 1-3 people | 4+ people |
| Price | $199.95 | $269.95 |
Overview Of APEC ROES 50 And RO 90
The APEC ROES 50 and RO 90 are similar compact under-sink reverse osmosis systems. Both use a three-stage filtration process – pre-filter, RO membrane, and post-carbon filter – to remove up to 99% of contaminants.
Some key similarities:
- Compact size (15 x 5.25 x 17.5 inches) fits under most sinks
- Quick connect fittings for easy installation
- Made in USA with UL and WQA certifications
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
The main differences come down to:
Daily production rate: The ROES 50 produces 50 gallons per day (GPD) while the RO 90 produces 90 GPD.
Storage tank size: The ROES 50 has a 2.5 gallon tank while the RO 90 has a 4 gallon storage tank.
Filtration stages: The RO 90 adds an additional inline carbon post-filter.
Also Read: Comparison Between APEC and Express Water
Below we’ll explore these differences in more detail.
Daily Production Rate
The daily production rate refers to how much filtered water the system can produce per day. This determines how well the system can keep up with your household’s water demands.
The APEC ROES 50 has a 50 gallon per day production rate. This is suitable for 1-3 people’s daily drinking and cooking water needs. With average use, the tank should refill fully 2-3 times per day.
The APEC RO 90 produces 90 gallons per day, making it better suited for larger households of 4-6 people. The increased output allows the system to easily keep up with greater water demands.
Bottom line: If you need filtered water for just 1-3 people, the ROES 50’s output should meet your daily needs. Go with the RO 90 for larger families that use more water.
Tank Size
The storage tank holds the filtered water ready for use. A larger tank means more supply on hand so you’re not waiting for the system to refill as often.
The APEC ROES 50 comes with a 2.5 gallon storage tank. This provides a moderate supply for a small household. You may need to wait for it to refill if using a large amount of water at once.
The APEC RO 90 doubles the capacity with a 4 gallon storage tank. Having more filtered water stored means less frequent refills. It provides a nice supply buffer for larger households.
Key takeaway: The RO 90’s larger tank size reduces wait times between refills for busier homes. The ROES 50 tank may need more frequent refills for larger demands.
Filtration Stages
Both the ROES 50 and RO 90 use a 3-stage filtration process:
Stage 1) Polypropylene sediment pre-filter removes particles and sediment
Stage 2) Thin film composite RO membrane filters out contaminants and dissolved solids
Stage 3) Activated carbon post-filter polishes taste and odor
The only difference is the RO 90 adds a second inline carbon post-filter for additional contaminant removal.
In practice, both systems effectively remove up to 99% of contaminants and total dissolved solids. The ROES 50’s single carbon filter still provides excellent water quality for most homes. The extra post-filter gives the RO 90 a slight performance edge, but average users are unlikely to notice a difference in daily use.
The takeaway: Both provide the same essential 3-stage filtration with excellent water purity. The RO 90 adds an extra post-filter for a minor performance boost.
Installation And Maintenance
Installation of both systems is straightforward thanks to quick connect fittings and clear instructions. Expect 1-2 hours to install under your sink with basic DIY skills. APEC’s helpful videos walk you through the whole process.
Ongoing maintenance involves replacing the filter cartridges on occasion:
- Pre-filter: Replace every 6-12 months
- RO membrane: Replace every 2-3 years
- Carbon filters: Replace every 12 months
The RO 90 has an extra carbon post-filter to replace. But overall maintenance needs are essentially the same for both systems. The process is quick and simple – just twist on new cartridges.
APEC includes a built-in filter replacement reminder light so you know when it’s time to swap filters. Basic maintenance keeps the systems running smoothly for years.
Key takeaway: Installation and maintenance are very similar between models. The RO 90 just has one extra filter to swap out annually.
Also Read: Is Apec RO-Hi Better Than RO-90?
Price Comparison
As you’d expect, the higher 90 GPD output and larger tank of the RO 90 come with a somewhat higher price:
- APEC ROES 50: $199.95
- APEC RO 90: $269.95
However, both systems provide excellent value for money. The prices are quite reasonable given the superior filtration performance, convenience of the storage tank, and quality construction.
RO filtration systems often cost $400+ for similarly specced models from other brands. APEC packs great performance into very competitively priced packages.
Considering the ROES 50’s lower price, it offers a particularly excellent value if you only need filtered water for 1-3 people. But the RO 90 remains reasonably priced given the larger output and tank size for busier homes.
The bottom line: Both systems deliver great value and performance for the money compared to competitors. Choose the ROES 50 if on a tighter budget or for smaller households.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For small households of 1-3 people, the APEC ROES 50 is likely the better choice. It provides up to 50 gallons per day which is sufficient for average daily drinking and cooking needs. The smaller 2.5 gallon tank takes up less under sink space. And the lower price point offers excellent value.
For larger families of 4 or more, the APEC RO 90 is likely the better option. The higher 90 gallon per day output provides plenty of filtered water for more people. The 4 gallon tank provides more supply on hand. And the extra post-filter gives a small performance boost.
The GPD refers to how many gallons of filtered water the reverse osmosis system can produce per day.
A 50 GPD system like the APEC ROES 50 can produce up to 50 gallons of filtered water per 24 hour period. This is usually sufficient for 1-3 people.
A 100 GPD system can produce up to 100 gallons per day. This additional output is better suited for medium to large households with greater water usage needs. So in summary, the higher the GPD, the more water the system can filter per day, which allows it to handle greater demand.
No, APEC reverse osmosis systems do not remineralize filtered water. The multi-stage filtration process, including the RO membrane, removes minerals from water, producing more pure water.
If desired, APEC recommends adding a calcite or alkaline remineralization filter after the system to add minerals back into the water for taste and health reasons. This 3rd stage filter can be purchased separately from APEC.
Alternatively, you can simply use a remineralizing water pitcher whenever you want to boost the mineral content of the filtered water.
Reverse osmosis paired with activated carbon filtration (like the APEC systems) provides better water filtration than carbon filters alone.
RO removes a significantly wider range of contaminants including heavy metals, fluoride, bacteria, and dissolved solids that activated carbon filters cannot. RO also reduces TDS (total dissolved solids) to a greater degree.
However, RO removes beneficial minerals, whereas carbon filters leave them intact. For the best of both methods, many prefer using RO systems combined with a remineralization filter or mineral-rich pitcher for drinking water.
So in summary, RO provides superior contaminant removal, while carbon filtration leaves in more natural minerals. Using both methods together balances purification with mineralization for optimized home water filtration.
Also watch this about APEC ROES 50!
Conclusion
The main difference between the Apec Roes 50 and the Apec Ro 90 is the water output capacity. The Apec Roes 50 can produce up to 50 gallons of purified water per day, while the Apec Ro 90 can produce up to 90 gallons per day. This means that the Apec Ro 90 can handle higher water demand and larger households than the Apec Roes 50. Another difference is the filter lifespan.
The Apec Roes 50 has filters that last for 6 to 12 months, while the Apec Ro 90 has filters that last for 12 months or more. This means that the Apec Ro 90 requires less frequent filter changes and maintenance than the Apec Roes 50. The Apec Ro 90 also has a higher feed water pressure range than the Apec Roes 50, which means that it can work better with low water pressure homes.
The Apec Roes 50, on the other hand, is more affordable than the Apec Ro 90, and has a smaller footprint than the Apec Ro 90, which means that it can fit better in tight spaces. Ultimately, the best reverse osmosis system for you depends on your budget, water quality, water usage, and space availability.
To help you compare the Apec Roes 50 and the Apec Ro 90 in more detail, you can check out the system specifications and the customer reviews. We hope that this article has helped you make an informed decision and enjoy clean and safe water at home.