Hi, I'm Mike W.. I live in Colorado.
Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my experience as a homeowner on Iron Filter 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 Crisis That Changed Everything in My Colorado Home
Living in Colorado, I thought our mountain water would be pristine. Boy, was I wrong.
Last spring, I started noticing things that made my stomach turn. My morning coffee tasted like I was drinking from a swimming pool. The chlorine smell hit me every time I turned on the tap, and honestly, it was getting embarrassing when guests visited.
But the real wake-up call came when my wife started complaining about her skin feeling dry and itchy after showers. Our kids were asking for bottled water instead of drinking from the tap. That's when I knew we had a serious problem on our hands.
I tested our water and discovered we had chlorine levels that were technically "safe" according to city standards, but definitely not what I wanted my family consuming daily. Plus, living in an area with old infrastructure, I was concerned about fluoride levels and other contaminants that standard municipal treatment might miss.
The research phase began, and let me tell you, it was overwhelming.
I spent weeks diving into water treatment options, reading about different filtration technologies, and trying to understand what would actually solve our specific problems without breaking the bank.
Why I Chose Catalytic Carbon and Bone Char Technology
After months of research, I kept coming back to the science behind catalytic carbon and bone char filtration. Most people don't realize that regular carbon filters just can't handle chloramines effectively.
Our municipal water treatment facility had switched to chloramines a few years back - a combination of chlorine and ammonia that's more stable than straight chlorine but much harder to filter out. Standard activated carbon filters barely make a dent in chloramines, which explained why our previous under-sink filter wasn't solving the taste and odor issues.
The catalytic carbon in the SoftPro system works differently. It actually breaks down the chloramine molecules through a catalytic process rather than just trying to absorb them. This was the game-changer I needed.
But what really sold me was the bone char component for fluoride removal. Living in a community with fluoridated softprowatersystems.com water, I wanted the option to remove it for my family's consumption. Bone char is one of the most effective media for fluoride removal, and having it integrated into a whole-house system meant every drop of water in our home would be treated.
The upflow design also caught my attention. Unlike traditional downflow systems that can create channeling and uneven filtration, the upflow design ensures maximum contact time between water and the filtration media. This translates to better performance and longer media life.
Unboxing and First Impressions of the SoftPro SUPER Filter
When the system arrived, I was immediately impressed by the packaging quality. Everything was securely packed, and nothing arrived damaged despite the substantial weight - this thing is built like a tank.
The main tank is constructed from heavy-duty fiberglass with a corrosion-resistant coating. You can immediately tell this isn't some cheap plastic system that'll crack after a few years.
Opening up the components, I found:
- The main filtration tank with pre-loaded catalytic carbon and bone char mediaA high-quality control valve with digital programmingAll necessary plumbing connections and fittingsDetailed installation manual with clear diagramsBypass valve assemblyMounting hardware and support materials
The control valve felt substantial - definitely commercial-grade components. The digital display was clear and intuitive, which was a relief since I'm not exactly a tech wizard.
One thing that surprised me was how compact the system was relative to its capacity. I had expected something much larger based on the flow rates and capacity specifications, but it fit perfectly in our utility room without overwhelming the space.
Installation Experience and Initial Setup Challenges
I'll be honest - I considered hiring a plumber, but the installation manual made it seem manageable for someone with basic DIY skills. I'm glad I tackled it myself, though it wasn't without its learning moments.
The installation took me about 6 hours over a weekend, including the time I spent double-checking connections and reading the manual multiple times. Here's what the process involved:
Preparation Phase:
First, I had to shut off the main water supply and drain the lines. I installed the system right after our pressure tank but before the water heater, which required some creative plumbing to accommodate the bypass valve.
Mounting and Connections:
The tank mounts on a concrete pad I poured specifically for it. The plumbing connections are straightforward - inlet, outlet, and drain line for the backwash cycle. I used shark bite fittings for most connections, which made the job much easier.
Control Valve Programming:
This is where I hit my first snag. The valve needs to be programmed for your specific water conditions and household size. I had to calculate our daily water usage and set up the regeneration schedule. The manual walks you through it, but I called SoftPro's tech support to verify my settings.
System Startup:
The initial backwash cycle runs for about 20 minutes to settle the media and remove any fines. Watching this process, I could see the engineering behind the upflow design - the media bed expands during backwash, ensuring thorough cleaning and proper media stratification.
First Water Test:
After startup, I let the system run for a few hours before testing the water. The difference was immediately noticeable - no chlorine smell, and the taste was dramatically improved.
Six Months of Real-World Performance Testing
Now for the results you really want to know about.
I've been testing our water quality monthly since installation, and the performance has been consistently impressive. Here's what I've measured:
Chlorine/Chloramine Removal:
Before installation: 2.8 ppm total chlorine
After installation: 0.1 ppm (essentially undetectable)
This represents over 95% reduction, and the improvement is noticeable in both taste and smell.
Fluoride Reduction:
Before: 1.2 ppm fluoride
After: 0.3 ppm fluoride
About 75% reduction, which is exactly what the bone char media is rated for.
Flow Rate Performance:
Our household of four uses about 280 gallons per day on average. Even during peak usage (morning showers plus dishwasher running), I've never noticed pressure drops. The system maintains excellent flow rates even as the media bed gets loaded with contaminants.
Taste and Odor Improvements:
This is where the system really shines. My wife no longer complains about her skin feeling dry after showers. The kids actually prefer drinking tap water now, which has saved us a fortune on bottled water.
Coffee and tea taste dramatically better - no more chlorine aftertaste that was masking the actual flavors. Even cooking has improved since we're not adding chlorinated water to our pasta, rice, and other dishes.
Maintenance Reality and Operating Costs
Let's talk about the ongoing costs because this is where many systems surprise homeowners.
The system runs an automatic backwash cycle every three days, which uses about 100 gallons of water. In our area, that costs roughly $0.40 per cycle, or about $4 per month in additional water usage.
The catalytic carbon and bone char media should last 3-5 years depending on your water quality and usage. Replacement media costs around $400-500, which works out to about $10-15 per month when amortized over the media life.
Electricity usage is minimal - just enough to power the control valve timer and run the backwash cycles. I estimate it adds less than $2 per month to our electric bill.
Compare this to our previous bottled water costs:
Before: $60-80 per month on bottled water
After: $16-20 per month total operating costs
The system is saving us money while providing better water quality than bottled water for our entire house. That's what I call a win-win situation.
Real-World Benefits and Unexpected Discoveries
Beyond the obvious improvements in taste and odor, this system has delivered benefits I didn't expect.
Appliance Protection:
Our dishwasher runs more efficiently without chlorine attacking the seals and components. I've noticed our water heater isn't working as hard, and there's less mineral buildup on fixtures throughout the house.
Laundry Improvements:
Clothes feel softer and colors stay brighter when washed in chlorine-free water. We've actually reduced our fabric softener usage because the water itself is gentler on fabrics.
Garden and Plant Benefits:
I started using the treated water for our vegetable garden, and I swear the plants are healthier. Chlorine can inhibit beneficial soil bacteria, so removing it has improved our soil ecosystem.
Peace of Mind:
Knowing that every drop of water entering our home is filtered gives me confidence about what my family is consuming. Whether it's drinking water, cooking, bathing, or even brushing teeth, we're not exposing ourselves to unnecessary chemicals.
Entertaining Benefits:
Guests consistently comment on how good our water tastes. It's become a point of pride rather than embarrassment when people visit.
Final Verdict: Is the SoftPro System Worth the Investment
After six months of daily use, I can confidently say this system has exceeded my expectations.
What I Love:
- Consistent performance with no decline in effectivenessWhole-house treatment means every faucet delivers quality waterAutomated operation requires minimal attention from meBuilt-in bypass valve makes maintenance straightforwardUpflow design maximizes media contact and efficiencyCost savings compared to bottled water alternatives
Minor Considerations:
- Initial investment is substantial (around $2,500 including installation supplies)Requires basic plumbing skills or professional installationTakes up space in utility roomBackwash cycles use additional water
Who Should Consider This System:
If you're dealing with chlorine, chloramine, or fluoride in your municipal water supply, this system delivers exactly what it promises. It's particularly valuable for families who want comprehensive water treatment without the hassle of maintaining multiple point-of-use filters.
For households using well water with different contaminant profiles, you might need additional or different treatment components.
The Bottom Line:
This investment has improved our daily quality of life in ways I didn't fully anticipate. From better-tasting coffee to healthier skin and hair, the benefits touch every aspect of our water usage.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely. In fact, I've already recommended it to three neighbors who were dealing with similar water quality issues.
If you're on the fence about whole-house water treatment, I encourage you to test your water first, understand what contaminants you're dealing with, and then make an informed decision. For our situation in Colorado with chlorinated municipal water, the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter has been the perfect solution.