Does Ro filter remove ammonia

[mikebarg]

My tap water has unacceptable levels of ammonia ( 3mg/l) sometimes higher. I was woundering if an RO unit removes ammonia. I have been told both Yes an No from different people at the LFS.

[125gJoe]

I would say it does remove it...

[RTR]

Is your water disinfected with chloramines? This is the likely source of the positive and harmful ammonia readings. If so, you should be using a neutralizer such as Amquel or Prime to break the chlorine-ammonia bond, neutralize the chlorine and complex the ammonia.

[slipknottin]

RO units remove 85%-95% of ammonium.

[yogi]

Ammonia and ammonium are different from each other. I'm not going to go into a detailed explanation but the difference is caused by ph somewhere around 6.5 I do know r/o's do not remove ammonia. So like RTR said it's time to use Prime or Amquel. I use Prime with my r/o water because I have chloramines. If you read the bottle it says to use at half strength with low levels. So I use 1 ml per 20 to 25 gallons. You have low levels do to the fact your r/o prefilters have removed the chlorine.

[slipknottin]

Ionized ammonia(NH3) is ammonium(NH4+) and it happens at a Ph of 7.0 and lower.

RO units remove all hardness from the water, it also removes almost all dissolved gases, driving the Ph below 7.0. The ammonia turns to ammonium and 85%-95% of it is removed.

RO prefilters are likely either carbon or a mechanical strainer. Neither removes any ammonia from the water.