Hi, I'm Marie R.. I live in Boston.
Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my experience as a homeowner with the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter (Whole House Catalytic Bone Char Carbon Filter) I purchased.
This is how my adventures played out. I hope this helps you in your decision.
The Water Quality Crisis That Changed Everything
Did you know that municipal water treatment doesn't remove everything you think it does?
I discovered this the hard way last spring when I started noticing a persistent chemical taste in our drinking water. At first, I thought it was just me being overly sensitive, but then my teenage daughter Emma mentioned it too. "Mom, the water tastes like a swimming pool," she said one morning while filling her water bottle.
That comment hit me like a brick wall. Here I was, paying Boston water bills and assuming our tap water was perfectly safe, yet we were essentially drinking chlorinated water with who-knows-what-else mixed in.
The breaking point came during a family barbecue when my brother-in-law, a plumber from Vermont, took one sip of our ice water and made a face. "You know you've got some serious chemical taste going on here, right?" he asked. That's when I realized this wasn't just in my head.
I started researching and learned about fluoride, chloramine, and dozens of other contaminants that standard municipal treatment leaves behind. The EPA allows certain levels of these chemicals, but that doesn't mean they're ideal for long-term consumption. I wanted something better for my family.
Why I Chose Catalytic Carbon Over Everything Else
My research phase lasted about three weeks, and honestly, it was overwhelming. There are so many water treatment options out there – reverse osmosis, basic carbon filters, UV systems, salt-based softeners – each claiming to be the "best" solution.
I initially considered a point-of-use reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink, but that only addressed drinking water. We were still showering, brushing teeth, and washing dishes with the same chemically-treated water. I wanted a whole-house solution that would treat everything coming into our home.
The catalytic carbon technology caught my attention because it specifically targets chloramine, which our Boston water department uses instead of regular chlorine. Regular activated carbon filters struggle with chloramine, but catalytic carbon actually breaks down the chlorine-ammonia bond. This was exactly what I needed.
The bone char component was another deciding factor. Unlike synthetic media, bone char has been used for water purification for over a century and has a unique ability to remove fluoride and heavy metals through ion exchange. As someone who prefers natural solutions when possible, this appealed to me.
I also liked that this was an upflow design. The manufacturer explained that upflow prevents channeling and ensures even contact time between water and filter media. This made sense from an engineering perspective – gravity-fed downflow systems can create uneven flow patterns that reduce effectiveness.
After comparing flow rates, I chose the 1.5 cubic foot model, which handles 8-12 GPM. With two teenagers who take lengthy showers, I wanted to ensure adequate flow rate during peak usage times.
Installation Day - Easier Than Expected
I'll be honest – I was nervous about installation. While I consider myself handy around the house, plumbing makes me anxious. However, the installation turned out to be more straightforward than anticipated.
The system arrived in a sturdy cardboard box, well-packaged with foam padding around the tank and separate boxes for the control head and media. Everything looked professional and well-made. The fiberglass tank felt solid, and the Fleck 5600SXT control valve had a quality feel to it.
I hired a local plumber for the installation, which cost me $350 and took about three hours. The main time investment was installing the bypass valve system and running the drain line to our basement floor drain. The plumber mentioned that the pre-loaded media made installation much simpler than systems requiring on-site media loading.
One surprise was the noise level during the first backwash cycle. I hadn't realized how much water movement is involved in the regeneration process. It's not loud enough to wake anyone up, but you can definitely hear it running. The default regeneration schedule was set for 2:00 AM, which works perfectly for our household.
The control head programming was intuitive. The display shows remaining capacity, current time, and days until the next regeneration. I set it to regenerate every seven days based on our family's water usage patterns, which the system calculated at approximately 300 gallons per day.
First Week Results - Immediate Improvements
The difference was noticeable within 24 hours. That chemical chlorine smell that I'd grown accustomed to was completely gone. My morning coffee tasted noticeably better, and Emma actually commented that the water tasted "normal" again.
However, I did encounter the issue mentioned in the original review – charcoal sediment in the bathtub. After the first few days, I noticed fine black particles settling at the bottom of our white porcelain tub. This was clearly carbon fines being released from the filter media.
I called SoftPro's customer service, and they explained that some carbon fines are normal during the first few weeks as the media settles. They recommended running cold water for 2-3 minutes after any extended period without water usage. They also suggested I consider adding a 5-micron sediment filter downstream to capture any residual particles.
I installed a whole-house sediment filter for $89, which completely solved the carbon fines issue. Looking back, I should have done this from the beginning. It's a small additional expense but eliminates any concerns about aesthetic issues.
By day five, I tested the water with TDS strips and chlorine test kits. The chlorine reading dropped from 2.2 PPM to undetectable levels. Total dissolved solids remained essentially unchanged, which was expected since this isn't a reverse osmosis system – it removes specific contaminants while leaving beneficial minerals intact.
Six Months Later - Performance Deep Dive
Now that I've lived with this system for over six months, I can provide a realistic long-term assessment. The performance has remained consistently excellent, with no decline in chlorine removal effectiveness.
I test the water monthly using chlorine test strips and a basic TDS meter. Chlorine levels consistently read zero, even right before regeneration cycles. This gives me confidence that the catalytic carbon is performing as designed throughout the entire service cycle.
One unexpected benefit was the improvement in our skin and hair condition. My daughter Emma, who has sensitive skin, noticed less dryness and irritation after showers. I attribute this to removing chloramine, which can be harsh on skin and hair compared to untreated water.
Our appliances seem to be performing better as well. The dishwasher no longer leaves that slight chemical film on glassware, and our washing machine doesn't require as much detergent to achieve the same cleaning results. These weren't benefits I had anticipated, but they represent real value.
The regeneration cycle occurs every seven days like clockwork, consuming approximately 100 gallons of water and taking about 90 minutes to complete. I calculated this adds roughly $12 per month to our water bill, which is reasonable considering the system treats about 9,000 gallons between regenerations.
Flow rate has remained excellent. Even with simultaneous showers and dishwasher operation, I haven't noticed any pressure drops. The 8-12 GPM rating appears accurate for our real-world usage patterns.
Maintenance Reality Check
The maintenance requirements are straightforward but ongoing. Every seven days, the system automatically regenerates using regular tap water – no chemicals or salt required. This is a significant advantage over salt-based systems that require regular salt additions.
However, the catalytic carbon media isn't permanent. Based on our water conditions and usage, SoftPro recommends media replacement every 3-5 years. The bone char component may need replacement more frequently if you have high fluoride levels, but Boston's fluoride levels are moderate, so I'm planning on a 4-year replacement schedule.
The estimated cost for media replacement is around $400-500, which works out to about $10 per month if amortized over the media life. Adding the $12 monthly water cost for regeneration, total operating costs are approximately $22 per month.
I also replaced the downstream sediment filter after four months when flow rate started declining. These cost $15 each and take five minutes to replace. I'm planning on quarterly replacements, adding another $5 per month to operating costs.
The control valve requires minimal maintenance. I https://www.softprowatersystems.com/products/whole-house-upflow-catalytic-bone-char-carbon-water-filter clean the injector and check connections annually, which takes about 30 minutes. The manufacturer recommends professional service every five years, budgeting around $150 for this service call.
Cost Analysis - Is It Worth It?
The total investment breaks down as follows:
• Initial system cost: $1,847
• Installation (professional): $350
• Downstream sediment filter: $89
• Total upfront investment: $2,286
Monthly operating costs:
• Regeneration water: $12
• Media replacement reserve: $10
• Sediment filter replacement: $5
• Total monthly operating: $27
Compared to our previous solution (buying bottled water for drinking and cooking), we were spending about $80 per month. This system pays for itself in approximately 30 months while providing whole-house treatment instead of just drinking water.
The value extends beyond direct cost savings. Our appliances should last longer, we use less soap and detergent, and there's the intangible benefit of knowing our water is genuinely clean. When I factor in convenience and peace of mind, the return on investment is compelling.
What contaminants does this system actually remove?
Based on manufacturer specifications and my testing, this system effectively removes:
Chlorine, Chloramine, Fluoride, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Pesticides, Herbicides, Industrial chemicals, Pharmaceutical residues, Trihalomethanes (THMs), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Hydrogen sulfide, Bad taste and odor compounds
It does not remove bacteria, viruses, or total dissolved solids. If you have biological contamination concerns, you'd need additional UV sterilization. For high TDS levels, reverse osmosis would be more appropriate.
Final Verdict - Would I Buy Again?
After six months of real-world use, I'm genuinely satisfied with this purchase. The system delivers on its primary promise of removing chlorine, chloramine, and fluoride while maintaining excellent flow rates and minimal maintenance requirements.
The only regret is not installing the downstream sediment filter initially. This would have prevented the carbon fines issue entirely and saved some early frustration. Future buyers should consider this a necessary addition, not an optional upgrade.
This system is ideal for households dealing with municipal water that contains chloramine, fluoride, or chemical tastes and odors. If your primary concern is hardness, iron, or bacterial contamination, different technologies would be more appropriate.
For families wanting whole-house chemical removal without the ongoing expense and environmental impact of salt-based systems, catalytic carbon with bone char represents an excellent long-term solution. The upfront investment is significant, but the operating costs are reasonable and the performance has been consistently reliable.
Would I recommend this to friends and family? Absolutely, with the caveat that they understand the maintenance requirements and budget appropriately for ongoing costs. It's not a "set and forget" solution, but it's not burdensome either.
Six months in, I'm confident this was the right choice for our family's water quality needs.