Hello there! I'm Mike W., and I call Colorado home. Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips reached out asking if I'd be willing to share my real-world experience as a homeowner with the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter (Whole House Catalytic Bone Char Carbon Filter) that I installed. What follows is exactly how my journey unfolded, and I genuinely hope my experience helps guide your decision-making process.
The Problem That Started It All
Living in Colorado, I thought our mountain water would be pristine, but boy was I wrong. My family started noticing some concerning issues that I initially brushed off as minor inconveniences.
The first red flag was the taste of our tap water. It had this distinct chemical flavor that made drinking water unenjoyable. My kids constantly asked for bottled water, and honestly, I found myself doing the same thing.
But the taste was just the beginning.
My wife started complaining about dry, itchy skin after showers. At first, we blamed it on Colorado's dry climate, but when our youngest developed similar issues, I knew something was off with our water supply.
Did you know that municipal water treatment facilities add fluoride and use chlorine as disinfectants, and while these serve important public health purposes, they can create unpleasant side effects for sensitive individuals?
I decided to test our water and discovered elevated levels of:
- Chlorine (2.5 ppm) Fluoride (1.2 ppm) Chloramines (1.8 ppm) Various organic compounds Trace pharmaceuticals
The combination was creating the chemical taste and potentially contributing to our skin irritation. I realized we needed a comprehensive whole-house solution, not just a basic pitcher filter.
Research Journey and Decision Process
I spent weeks researching different filtration technologies. The market is overwhelming with options ranging from basic carbon filters to complex multi-stage systems.
Initially, I considered standard activated carbon filters, but learned they're not particularly effective against fluoride. Reverse osmosis seemed overkill and wasteful for whole-house applications.
What caught my attention about the SoftPro system was its dual-media approach?
The combination of catalytic carbon and bone char specifically targets the contaminants I was dealing with.
Catalytic carbon excels at removing chlorine and chloramines through advanced oxidation, while bone char has proven effective for fluoride reduction. This wasn't just marketing speak – the science backed it up.
The upflow design also appealed to me because it prevents channeling and maximizes contact time with the media, theoretically improving filtration efficiency.
After comparing specifications, certifications, and customer reviews, I decided the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter offered the best balance of performance and value for our specific needs.
Installation Experience
The system arrived well-packaged with all components clearly labeled. The control valve looked robust, and the pressure vessel appeared to be high-quality fiberglass construction.
I'm reasonably handy, but decided to hire a local plumber for installation to ensure everything was done correctly and maintain warranty coverage.
The installation took about 4 hours and required:
- Installing a bypass valve system Connecting the drain line for backwashing Electrical connection for the control valve Programming the system settings
My plumber was impressed with the build quality and mentioned the control valve was more sophisticated than many systems he'd installed. The programming allowed us to customize backwash frequency based on our water usage patterns.
Initial startup went smoothly. The system ran a conditioning cycle, and we had filtered water flowing through our entire house within a few hours.
Performance and Results
The improvement was noticeable within 24 hours. The chemical taste disappeared completely, and our water actually tasted clean and refreshing.
Here's what I measured after two weeks of operation:
- Chlorine: Reduced from 2.5 ppm to undetectable levels Fluoride: Decreased from 1.2 ppm to 0.3 ppm Chloramines: Eliminated completely Overall taste and odor: Dramatically improved
The skin irritation issues my family experienced began improving within the first week. My wife noticed her skin felt less dry after showers, and our youngest stopped complaining about itchy skin.
But the benefits extended beyond what I initially expected?
Our coffee tasted better, ice cubes were crystal clear, and even our houseplants seemed to respond positively to the filtered water.
The system maintains consistent water pressure throughout the house. I was concerned about flow rate restrictions, but even during peak usage times, pressure remains strong at all fixtures.
Daily Living Impact
Six months into ownership, the SoftPro system has become an invisible but essential part of our daily routine. We've completely eliminated bottled water purchases, saving approximately $80 monthly.
Shower experiences are noticeably more pleasant. The water feels softer on skin, and we've reduced our moisturizer usage significantly. My teenage daughter mentioned her hair feels less dry and brittle.
Cooking and beverage preparation improved dramatically?
Soups and pasta taste cleaner without that underlying chemical flavor. Our morning coffee routine became more enjoyable when we could actually taste the coffee instead of fighting through water treatment chemicals.
Unexpected benefits include cleaner-tasting ice, better plant health, and reduced soap scum formation. While this isn't a water softener, the removal of SoftPro Fluoride Filtration chlorine and other chemicals seems to improve soap performance.
Guests frequently comment on our water quality, often asking if we've installed a filtration system. It's become a point of pride knowing we're providing clean, healthy water for our family and visitors.
Operational Costs and Maintenance
The system automatically backwashes every few days, consuming approximately 50 gallons per cycle. With our local water rates, this adds about $8-10 monthly to our utility bill.
The media replacement schedule is straightforward:
- Catalytic carbon: Every 3-5 years depending on usage Bone char: Every 5-7 years under normal conditions Annual control valve service (optional but recommended)
I calculated the total cost of ownership at approximately $25-30 monthly when factoring in media replacement, utilities, and maintenance. Compared to our previous bottled water expenses, we're actually saving money while enjoying superior convenience.
The investment pays for itself through eliminated bottled water costs?
Beyond financial savings, the environmental impact reduction feels significant – no more plastic waste from water bottles.
Maintenance involves occasional salt bridge checks and monitoring the control valve display. The system provides clear diagnostic information, making it easy to track performance and anticipate service needs.
Honest Limitations and Considerations
No system is perfect, and the SoftPro has some limitations worth mentioning. The initial investment is substantial – this isn't an impulse purchase decision.
Installation requires adequate space and proper drainage for backwash cycles. If you're in a cramped utility area, the footprint might be challenging.
The system doesn't address water hardness issues?
If you have hard water causing scale buildup, you'll need additional treatment. This is specifically designed for chemical removal, not mineral reduction.
Fluoride removal, while significant, isn't 100%. If complete fluoride elimination is critical, you might need supplemental point-of-use treatment.
The control valve occasionally requires attention. While not problematic, it's more complex than a simple timer-based system and requires basic understanding of its operation.
Rural areas with very high fluoride levels might overwhelm the bone char capacity faster than expected, requiring more frequent media replacement.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
After eight months of ownership, I'm thoroughly satisfied with the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter. It solved our specific water quality issues while providing benefits I hadn't anticipated.
This system excels for households dealing with:
- Municipal water with chlorine/chloramine taste issues Moderate fluoride levels needing reduction Skin sensitivity to water treatment chemicals Families wanting whole-house chemical removal Homes with adequate space and proper drainage
The build quality, performance consistency, and customer support have exceeded expectations. Craig's team provided excellent guidance during selection and has been available for questions.
Would I make the same purchase decision again?
Absolutely. The health benefits, improved quality of life, and long-term cost savings justify the investment.
If you're dealing with similar water quality issues and have the budget for a comprehensive solution, I'd confidently recommend considering the SoftPro system. It's transformed our relationship with our home's water supply and eliminated the daily frustration of poor-tasting, chemical-laden water.
The peace of mind knowing my family has access to clean, filtered water throughout our entire home is invaluable. Sometimes the best investments are the ones that quietly improve your daily life without requiring constant attention – and this system delivers exactly that.