Users of RO reverse osmosis filters sometimes ask: RO has filtered the minerals out — should some go back in? One option on the market is the Maifanshi filter cartridge. Bio-Link concentrates on RO and UF filtration; this article takes a neutral look purely at how the Maifanshi medium works, what it does to taste, and where it fits and does not, to help you judge whether it suits your needs.
The quick points
- Maifanshi is a porous mineral filter medium: it adsorbs, and slowly releases small amounts of minerals.
- Its position is the post-filter seasoning cartridge: usually placed after RO, returning some minerals to the purified water and adjusting the taste.
- A taste preference, not a purification upgrade: it does not make the water cleaner — that remains the work of RO / UF.
- This article makes no health claims: We discuss only mechanism and taste, without rehearsing the various health claims spun from minerals.
What is a Maifanshi filter cartridge?
Maifanshi is a porous igneous mineral, used as a filter medium for the fine pores across its surface. As a cartridge it has two describable actions:
- Adsorption: the porous structure adsorbs some impurities, on the same principle as other mineral media.
- Slow mineral release: Maifanshi slowly releases small amounts of trace minerals (calcium and magnesium among them), nudging the water's mineral content up and possibly its taste.
For exactly that reason, a Maifanshi cartridge rarely serves as the main filter; it works as a post-filter seasoning stage after the main system. For how the media divide the work, see our Complete Guide to Water Filter Cartridges.
Where it sits in the chain: the seasoning stage after RO
To understand the Maifanshi cartridge's position, first understand the division of labour. In a complete system, the purifying core belongs to the front stages:
- The PP cotton cartridge intercepts sediment, rust and other larger particles;
- the UF ultrafiltration cartridge filters out particulates and microbes while keeping minerals;
- the RO membrane removes the great majority of dissolved matter, producing exceptionally clean water.
Because RO, in pursuit of purity, filters the minerals out along with everything else, some users want a little mineral returned for a rounder taste. The Maifanshi cartridge is one such post-filter option: placed after RO, it slowly releases a small amount of mineral and adjusts the taste. Its role, in other words, is taste seasoning, not purification.
An honest look: what it can and cannot do
To head off misunderstanding, here is the cartridge's reach and its limits, plainly:
| Item | The Maifanshi cartridge as it actually is |
|---|---|
| Describable actions | Adsorbs some impurities; slowly releases small amounts of minerals; may round out the taste. |
| Positioning | A post-filter seasoning cartridge, installed after the main filtration (such as RO). |
| Does it make the water cleaner? | No. Purification belongs to the front stages — PP cotton, UF, RO — and Maifanshi replaces none of them. |
| How much mineral is released | It varies with the stone and the usage; for concrete figures, rely on the supplier's test reports. |
| What this article does not cover | No claims about minerals or any other health benefit. |
In short, the Maifanshi cartridge is a niche taste-preference option, not a purification upgrade. Whether it delivers the taste you want is largely personal; as for how much mineral it actually releases, rely on the supplier's test reports rather than generalities.
RO water carries no minerals — does that matter?
A common question. RO water is clean precisely because it strips out the great majority of dissolved matter, minerals included. The daily diet already supplies minerals, so whether the water carries them is more a matter of taste and personal preference than a single measure of better or worse.
If cleanliness and safety are what you value, RO options such as the RO838 RO purified water filter reach the goal directly. If taste matters more and you want minerals kept in the water, consider a UF ultrafiltration option, or add a seasoning cartridge such as Maifanshi after the RO. For a fuller comparison of the different waters, see RO Water vs Distilled Water vs Mineral Water.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Maifanshi cartridge do?
Maifanshi is a porous mineral medium that adsorbs some impurities and slowly releases small amounts of minerals, which may affect the taste. It usually serves as a post-filter seasoning cartridge after the main filtration — its role is adjusting taste, not purification.
Can a Maifanshi cartridge replace RO or UF?
No. Purification belongs to the front stages — PP cotton, UF, RO. A Maifanshi cartridge does not make the water cleaner and replaces no main filter. Its position is the post-filter seasoning stage, commonly after RO, returning a little mineral and adjusting taste.
RO filtered the minerals out — should Maifanshi put them back?
That is mainly a question of taste and personal preference. The daily diet already supplies minerals, so returning them to the water is no single measure of better or worse. If taste matters and you want minerals kept, consider UF or a seasoning cartridge after RO; if purity is the aim, RO already reaches it.
How much mineral does it release?
The amount varies with the type of stone and the usage. For concrete figures, rely on the supplier's test reports rather than general descriptions. This article explains mechanism and taste only, and makes no health claims about minerals.
Does Bio-Link sell Maifanshi cartridge products?
Bio-Link concentrates on RO and UF filtration. This article introduces the Maifanshi mineral medium from a neutral standpoint, to explain its mechanism and where it fits. If post-RO seasoning or mineral-keeping options interest you, contact us and we will advise on your actual needs.
Find the filtration that fits your taste and your needs
Whether you are after the cleanest water or a rounder taste, Bio-Link is glad to recommend the right RO / UF filtration and configuration for your habits, space and installation conditions. Our filtration solutions are third-party tested, and help you cut disposable bottles through direct-piped drinking water.
Hong Kong: (852) 2481 2863
Macau: (853) 6628 2574
Enquire now about Bio-Link filtration solutions