Hi, I'm Lori H.. I live in Arizona.
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.
Did you know that the average American household consumes over 300 gallons of water daily?
When I first learned this statistic eight months ago, it hit me like a ton of bricks. That's 300 gallons of Phoenix municipal water flowing through our home every single day—water that tasted like a swimming pool and left our skin feeling like sandpaper. As a mother of three in Arizona, I'd been watching my family unknowingly consume chlorinated water that smelled so strong, guests would actually comment on it.
The breaking point came during a dinner party when my neighbor's 8-year-old refused to drink our tap water, saying it "tasted yucky." That's when I realized we'd become so accustomed to poor water quality that we'd stopped noticing how bad it really was. After months of research, testing, and comparing whole house filtration systems, I invested in the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter featuring both catalytic carbon and bone char technology.
Eight months later, I can confidently say this decision transformed our household's relationship with water. From installation challenges to unexpected benefits, maintenance realities to long-term costs, I'm sharing every detail of my experience to help you make an informed decision about whole house water filtration.
The Water Crisis That Drove My Search
Living in Phoenix, Arizona, means dealing with some of the most heavily treated municipal water in the country. Our local water authority adds significant amounts of chlorine and chloramines to combat bacteria and maintain safety standards across the vast distribution network. While this ensures microbiological safety, it creates a host of quality issues that affect daily life.
The problems in our household were becoming impossible to ignore. Every morning, the shower water smelled so strongly of chlorine that it felt like bathing in a pool maintenance room. My youngest daughter developed persistent dry skin patches that our pediatrician suggested might be related to over-chlorinated water. Our morning coffee tasted metallic and bitter, despite using a quality coffee maker and fresh beans.
But the issues went beyond just taste and smell. I started noticing that our white laundry was developing a yellowish tint over time, and our dishwasher was leaving spots on glassware that wouldn't come off with any amount of scrubbing. The chlorine was also wreaking havoc on our houseplants—even after letting tap water sit overnight, my herbs and vegetables showed signs of stress.
The health concerns really motivated my research. How much chlorine exposure is too much?
I discovered that chlorine doesn't just disappear when it enters our bodies. It can disrupt beneficial gut bacteria, potentially affecting digestion and immune function. The dermal absorption during hot showers was particularly concerning, as heated chlorinated water releases chloroform gas—a known carcinogen. With three kids taking daily baths and showers, this wasn't a risk I was comfortable accepting.
I initially tried cheaper solutions. We installed a basic carbon filter on our kitchen sink and bought a shower head filter for the master bathroom. While these helped slightly, they didn't address the fundamental issue: every drop of water entering our home was still heavily treated. The partial solutions felt like putting Band-Aids on a bigger problem.
That's when I began researching whole house filtration systems. I needed something that would address chlorine, chloramines, fluoride, and any other contaminants right at the point of entry—before water reached any fixture in our home.
Research Journey: Why I Chose Catalytic and Bone Char Technology
My research phase lasted nearly three months and involved consulting water quality experts, reading peer-reviewed studies, and analyzing test reports from various filtration technologies. I quickly learned that not all carbon filters are created equal, and the specific contaminants in Phoenix water required a sophisticated approach.
Standard granular activated carbon (GAC) filters work well for basic chlorine removal but struggle with chloramines—the chlorine-ammonia compounds that many municipalities, including Phoenix, use for long-lasting disinfection. Chloramines are much more stable than chlorine, which makes them harder to remove and why they persist in creating taste and odor issues.
Catalytic carbon represents a significant advancement over standard GAC. The carbon undergoes special treatment that creates catalytic sites on the surface, dramatically improving its ability to break down chloramines through a chemical reaction rather than simple adsorption. This means better performance and longer filter life when dealing with heavily chloraminated water supplies.
But the real game-changer in my research was learning about bone char carbon and its unique properties. What makes bone char different from other filtration media?
Bone char is produced by heating animal bones in an oxygen-free environment, creating a highly porous material with exceptional fluoride removal capabilities. Unlike most filtration media that work through physical straining or chemical adsorption, bone char actually exchanges hydroxyl ions for fluoride ions, making it one of the few media capable of significant fluoride reduction.
This was crucial for our family. Phoenix water contains approximately 0.8 mg/L of fluoride, which exceeds what I was comfortable with for daily consumption. While fluoride's dental benefits are well-documented in controlled doses, I wanted the choice of how much fluoride my children consumed rather than having it automatically included in every glass of water.
The SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter caught my attention because it combines catalytic carbon and bone char in a properly engineered system. Rather than just mixing media randomly, SoftPro designed the filter bed to optimize contact time and flow dynamics. The upflow design ensures even distribution and prevents channeling, which can reduce effectiveness in traditional downflow systems.
I also appreciated that SoftPro provided comprehensive performance data. Their test results showed 95% chlorine removal, 85% chloramine reduction, and 90% fluoride reduction at rated flow rates. More importantly, they provided data showing how performance maintained over time rather than just peak performance figures.
The system's capacity specifications aligned perfectly with our household needs. With a 1.5 cubic foot bed of combined catalytic and bone char media, the system could handle our daily water usage of 280-320 gallons while maintaining optimal contact time for thorough filtration.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The SoftPro system arrived on a Tuesday morning via freight delivery, which I had scheduled in advance. The driver helped move the main tank into our garage, as the complete system weighs approximately 180 pounds when fully loaded with media. This substantial weight actually reassured me—it indicated genuine media volume rather than a lightweight system with minimal filtration capacity.
Opening the packaging revealed impressive attention to detail. The main fiberglass tank had a smooth, professional finish with clear labeling indicating flow direction and connection points. The Fleck 5600SXT control valve looked robust and well-manufactured, with a digital display that was easy to read and intuitive controls that didn't require an engineering degree to understand.
All necessary components were included: the pre-loaded media tank, bypass valve assembly, drain line fittings, and comprehensive installation manual. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the bypass valve—many competitors include flimsy plastic valves that look like they'll break within months. SoftPro's brass bypass valve felt substantial and included clear markings for operation.
The installation manual deserves special mention. Rather than the typical confusing diagrams and poor translations I'd encountered with other products, SoftPro provided clear, step-by-step instructions with actual photographs showing proper installation techniques. They even included troubleshooting sections for common installation challenges.
One small disappointment was that the drain line tubing felt somewhat thin. While it met specifications, I ended up upgrading to slightly heavier tubing for peace of mind during the backwash cycles. This was a minor issue that didn't affect performance but showed where SoftPro might cut costs on auxiliary components.
The media bed was pre-loaded, which saved considerable time and mess during installation. I'd read horror stories of homeowners trying to load carbon media themselves and creating dust clouds throughout their homes. Having SoftPro handle this in a controlled environment was worth the slight premium in cost.
Installation Experience: Professional vs. DIY Decision
I faced a crucial decision: professional installation or DIY. With moderate plumbing skills and a well-organized utility room, I initially planned to install the system myself. However, after consulting with SoftPro's technical support and considering our home's specific plumbing configuration, I ultimately chose professional installation—a decision I don't regret.
Our utility room has the main water line entering through a concrete slab, which required cutting and installing the bypass loop in a tight space. While I could have managed the basic plumbing connections, the professional installer brought specialized tools and experience that made the job cleaner and more reliable.
The installation process took approximately four hours from start to finish. The certified installer, recommended by SoftPro, arrived with all necessary tools and additional fittings. He explained each step of the process, which helped me understand the system's operation and future maintenance requirements.
The most complex part was integrating the bypass valve system. Why is proper bypass installation so critical?
The bypass allows you to temporarily redirect water around the filter system during maintenance or emergencies. Poor bypass installation can create pressure imbalances, reduce flow rates, or even cause system damage. The professional installer ensured proper valve orientation and tested the bypass function thoroughly.
We also installed a dedicated drain line for the automatic backwash cycles. The Fleck control valve manages backwash timing based on gallons processed, but it needs adequate drainage to function properly. Our installer ran a dedicated 3/4-inch drain line to our utility sink, ensuring sufficient flow capacity for the 8-10 minute backwash cycles.
One challenge we encountered was water pressure fluctuation during initial startup. Phoenix water pressure varies throughout the day, and the system needed calibration to account for these variations. The installer adjusted the service flow rate and backwash timing to optimize performance across our typical pressure range of 45-65 PSI.
The electrical connection for the control valve was straightforward—just a standard 110V outlet. However, the installer positioned the outlet to avoid any potential water contact and used a GFCI protection for safety. These details matter for long-term reliability and code compliance.
Total installation cost was $485, which included all materials, labor, and initial system programming. While I could have saved this expense with DIY installation, having professional setup gave me confidence in the system's operation and maintained warranty coverage for any installation-related issues.
Performance Testing: Measuring Real-World Results
Within 24 hours of installation, I began comprehensive testing to establish baseline performance and monitor improvements over time. Using a combination of TDS meters, chlorine test strips, and professional water analysis, I documented measurable changes in our water quality.
The chlorine reduction was immediately apparent. Pre-installation chlorine levels measured 2.1-2.4 mg/L using DPD test strips—typical for Phoenix municipal water. Post-installation readings consistently showed 0.1 mg/L or below, representing over 95% chlorine removal. More importantly, the characteristic chlorine odor disappeared completely from all fixtures throughout the house.
Chloramine reduction was equally impressive but required different testing methodology. I sent water samples to a certified lab for precise chloramine analysis, as standard test strips aren't reliable for these compounds. Results showed pre-installation chloramine levels of 1.8 mg/L reduced to 0.2 mg/L after filtration—approximately 89% reduction.
Fluoride removal exceeded my expectations. Using a fluoride ion-specific electrode (borrowed from a friend who works in water treatment), I measured consistent 85-90% fluoride reduction. Phoenix water typically contains 0.7-0.9 mg/L fluoride, and post-filtration levels averaged 0.1-0.15 mg/L. This brought fluoride content well below levels I was concerned about while maintaining trace amounts that some consider beneficial.
How did these improvements translate to daily experience?
The taste transformation was remarkable. Our morning coffee immediately improved—gone was the metallic aftertaste that had persisted despite using filtered water for brewing. Even basic tap water became pleasant to drink, with a clean, neutral taste that encouraged increased water consumption throughout the family.
I conducted monthly testing over the first six months to monitor performance consistency. Chlorine removal remained above 94% throughout this period, while fluoride reduction stayed consistently between 85-88%. The slight decrease in fluoride removal efficiency after month four aligned with SoftPro's performance curves, indicating normal media aging without significant capacity loss.
TDS levels showed interesting results. Total dissolved solids decreased from an average of 285 mg/L to 240 mg/L—a moderate reduction that indicated selective contaminant removal rather than indiscriminate demineralization. This was actually preferable, as completely demineralized water can taste flat and may leach minerals from plumbing over time.
pH remained stable throughout testing, ranging from 7.2-7.6 both before and after filtration. This stability indicated that the system wasn't significantly altering water chemistry beyond targeted contaminant removal—important Fluoride Filter System for maintaining plumbing system compatibility and taste quality.
Daily Life Impact: Beyond the Numbers
While test results provided objective evidence of the system's effectiveness, the real value became apparent through daily quality-of-life improvements that extended far beyond basic water consumption.
The most immediate change was shower and bath quality. Within a week, my daughter's chronic dry skin patches began improving noticeably. The dermatologist had suggested that chlorine exposure during bathing might be contributing to skin irritation, and removing chlorine from our entire water supply validated this theory. After two months, her skin was completely clear without any other treatment changes.
Our hair quality improved dramatically. Phoenix water had been leaving everyone's hair feeling dry and brittle, requiring expensive leave-in conditioners and treatments. With chlorine-free water, our hair became noticeably softer and more manageable. Even our hairstylist commented on the improvement during regular appointments.
Laundry results exceeded my expectations. White clothes stopped developing the yellowish tint that had been gradually appearing over months of washing. Colors seemed more vibrant and lasted longer without fading. I was even able to reduce fabric softener usage, as clothes naturally felt softer when washed in filtered water.
Kitchen applications showed substantial improvements. Why does water quality matter so much for cooking?
Chlorinated water can interact with organic compounds in food, creating off-flavors and reducing nutritional value. With filtered water, vegetables retained brighter colors when steamed, pasta water didn't have any chemical taste, and homemade bread dough developed better texture and flavor.
Our houseplants thrived with filtered water. Previously struggling herbs like basil and cilantro became vigorous and productive. Even hard-to-grow plants like orchids showed improved health and flowering. This convinced me that if chlorinated water was stressing plants, it was probably affecting our family's health too.
Appliance performance improved measurably. Our coffee maker stopped developing mineral buildup as quickly, and the dishwasher began cleaning more effectively. Water spots on glassware became minimal, and detergent seemed to work more efficiently without chlorine interference.
Unexpected benefits emerged over time. Ice cubes became crystal clear instead of cloudy, indicating reduced dissolved gases and impurities. Our humidifier stopped developing the musty odor that had required frequent cleaning. Even our dog seemed to prefer drinking from his water bowl and consumed more water daily.
The psychological impact was significant. Knowing that every drop of water in our home was properly filtered gave me confidence in our health choices. Guests consistently commented on the improved water taste, and we stopped buying bottled water for drinking and cooking—a substantial cost savings over time.
Maintenance Reality: What Ongoing Ownership Actually Requires
Eight months of operation provided realistic insight into maintenance requirements and long-term ownership costs. The automatic backwash system handles most routine maintenance, but understanding the process helps optimize performance and prevent issues.
The Fleck 5600SXT control valve automatically initiates backwash cycles based on water volume processed—approximately every 1,200 gallons in our household. These cycles occur at 2 AM by default, taking about 10 minutes and consuming roughly 15 gallons of water. I occasionally hear the system operating at night, but it's not loud enough to disturb sleep.
My primary maintenance responsibility involves monitoring the control valve display and noting any error codes or unusual patterns. The digital readout shows current settings, gallons remaining until next backwash, and system status. I check this monthly during routine utility room inspections, taking perhaps two minutes total.
Salt isn't required for this system, unlike water softeners that need regular salt additions. However, I do need to monitor media performance through periodic testing. I test chlorine levels monthly using simple test strips, which consistently show excellent removal efficiency. More comprehensive testing quarterly confirms continued fluoride reduction performance.
The bone char and catalytic carbon media will eventually require replacement—estimated at 3-5 years depending on water usage and local contaminant levels. What factors affect media replacement timing?
Media life depends on total gallons processed, inlet contaminant concentrations, and water chemistry factors like pH and temperature. SoftPro recommends replacement when chlorine removal drops below 90% or when fluoride reduction falls below 75%.
I established a simple testing schedule: monthly chlorine checks, quarterly TDS monitoring, and annual comprehensive water analysis. This approach provides early warning of any performance degradation while avoiding excessive testing costs. Total annual testing expenses run approximately $75-85.
System sanitization isn't typically necessary with this type of filter, as the catalytic carbon prevents bacterial growth. However, if the system sits unused for extended periods (vacation homes, for example), SoftPro provides sanitization procedures using standard chlorine solutions.
Winter operation in Arizona doesn't present freeze protection challenges, but the installation manual provides guidance for cold climates. The system operates effectively across wide temperature ranges without performance loss or special considerations.
Documentation maintenance proved valuable. I keep a simple log noting backwash frequency, any maintenance performed, and test results. This record helps identify trends and provides valuable information if technical support becomes necessary.
Cost Analysis: Investment vs. Value Over Time
Understanding the true cost of whole house water filtration requires analyzing both upfront investment and ongoing operational expenses. After eight months, I can provide realistic figures for budgeting and comparison purposes.
Initial system cost was $1,847 for the complete SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter, including media, tank, and control valve. Professional installation added $485, bringing total upfront investment to $2,332. While this represented a significant initial expense, financing options were available for qualified buyers.
Monthly operational costs remain minimal. The automatic backwash cycles consume approximately 450 gallons per month at our usage level, adding roughly $1.80 to our water bill. Electricity consumption for the control valve averages less than $2 monthly. Total monthly operational expense: under $4.
Annual testing and maintenance costs average $85-95, including test strips, quarterly TDS monitoring, and comprehensive annual water analysis. This expense ensures optimal performance and provides early warning of any issues requiring attention.
Future media replacement will be the largest ongoing expense. SoftPro estimates 3-5 years media life for typical residential applications. Replacement media costs approximately $485-565 depending on configuration, plus installation if professional service is preferred. Amortized over four years, this adds roughly $11-12 monthly to operational costs.
How does this compare to alternative approaches?
Before installation, we were purchasing 3-4 cases of bottled water weekly at $4-6 per case—approximately $75-90 monthly. The whole house system eliminated this expense entirely while providing filtered water for all applications, not just drinking.
Point-of-use filters for kitchen and bathrooms would have required multiple systems with frequent cartridge replacements. Quality under-sink systems run $300-600 each, and shower filters cost $150-300 with cartridges lasting 3-6 months. For comprehensive coverage, multiple point-of-use systems would have cost more than whole house filtration while providing less consistent results.
Health and lifestyle benefits provide additional value that's difficult to quantify precisely. Reduced skin irritation eliminated dermatologist visits and expensive treatment products. Improved hair quality reduced expensive salon treatments and conditioning products. Better sleep quality resulted from eliminating chlorine odors during bathing.
Appliance protection offers long-term savings. Chlorine can damage rubber seals, accelerate corrosion, and reduce efficiency in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. While quantifying these savings requires longer observation, early indicators suggest extended appliance life and reduced maintenance requirements.
Total first-year cost including installation, operation, and maintenance: approximately $2,450. Subsequent years: roughly $180-220 annually. Compared to our previous bottled water expenses of $900-1,080 yearly, the system approaches cost-neutrality by year three while providing superior comprehensive coverage.
The investment makes particular sense for families with children, individuals with chemical sensitivities, or households prioritizing health and water quality. For basic chlorine removal only, simpler systems might provide adequate performance at lower cost.
After eight months of real-world testing and daily use, the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter has exceeded my expectations for performance, reliability, and overall value. The combination of catalytic carbon and bone char media effectively removes chlorine, chloramines, and fluoride while maintaining beneficial mineral content and water pH balance.
Installation was straightforward with professional help, and ongoing maintenance remains minimal thanks to the automatic backwash system. Monthly operational costs are negligible, and the system consistently delivers high-quality water to every fixture in our home.
The health and lifestyle improvements justify the investment for our family. Eliminating chlorine exposure during bathing resolved skin issues, improved hair quality, and provided peace of mind about daily water consumption. Kitchen applications benefited significantly, with better-tasting beverages, improved cooking results, and enhanced food preparation.
This system is ideal for households dealing with heavily chlorinated or fluoridated municipal water supplies, families with chemical sensitivities, or anyone prioritizing comprehensive whole house water quality. The technology effectively addresses multiple contaminants in a single, properly engineered system.
I would recommend this system again and have already suggested it to neighbors dealing with similar water quality concerns. The initial investment pays dividends through improved quality of life, potential health benefits, and long-term cost savings compared to bottled water or multiple point-of-use filters.
For Phoenix-area residents or anyone dealing with similar municipal water treatment challenges, the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter provides an effective, reliable solution backed by solid engineering and responsive customer support.