Hi, I'm Oliver Garrett from Denver, and I'm excited to share my real-world experience with you today.
Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips reached out asking me to document my journey with the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter (Whole House Catalytic Bone Char Carbon Filter) that I installed in my home.
What started as a search for cleaner water turned into an eight-month learning experience that completely changed how my family thinks about our home's water quality. I hope my honest account helps guide your decision-making process.
The Water Quality Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
Living in Denver, I thought our municipal water was pretty good. Sure, it had that typical chlorine smell when you first turned on the tap, but doesn't everyone's water smell like that?
My wake-up call came during a family barbecue last summer. My sister-in-law, who had recently installed a whole house filtration system in her Phoenix home, took one sip of our tap water and made a face. "How do you drink this?" she asked, pointing out the chemical taste I'd somehow become numb to over the years.
That comment sent me down a research rabbit hole. I started paying attention to things I'd ignored for years: the way our ice cubes tasted flat in drinks, how my coffee never seemed as rich as what I got at local cafes, and most concerning, the dry skin issues my wife had been attributing to Denver's climate.
I decided to test our water using a basic TDS meter and chlorine test strips. The results were eye-opening: our municipal water was coming in at 280 parts per million for total dissolved solids, with chlorine levels consistently above 2 PPM. While technically within safe drinking standards, these numbers explained the taste and odor issues we'd been experiencing.
The breaking point came when I researched fluoride levels in Denver's water supply. As parents of two young children, my wife and I had growing concerns about fluoride exposure, especially since our kids were already using fluoride toothpaste. The fact that our municipal water contained 0.7 PPM of fluoride meant we were getting additional exposure through every glass of water, every meal cooked, and every bath.
Research Phase: Understanding My Options for Better Water
I spent weeks researching water filtration technologies, and honestly, the options were overwhelming. Point-of-use filters seemed insufficient for a whole-house solution, reverse osmosis systems required significant plumbing modifications and produced too much wastewater, and basic carbon filters didn't address fluoride concerns.
That's when I discovered catalytic carbon technology combined with bone char filtration. Unlike regular activated carbon, catalytic carbon can remove chloramines—something Denver had recently switched to for water disinfection. The bone char component specifically targets fluoride removal, something standard carbon filters can't accomplish effectively.
I researched several manufacturers and kept coming back to SoftPro's reputation in the water treatment industry. Their Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter combines catalytic carbon with bone char in a single upflow system, eliminating the need for multiple filter housings. The 1.5 cubic foot capacity seemed appropriate for our 2,400 square foot home with four occupants.
What sold me was the system's ability to maintain consistent flow rates while addressing multiple contaminants: chlorine, chloramines, fluoride, volatile organic compounds, and various chemical tastes and odors. The upflow design also meant longer contact time between water and filtration media, theoretically improving removal efficiency.
Unboxing and First Impressions: Quality You Can See
The system arrived in August via freight delivery, which was my first indication this wasn't a lightweight consumer product. The main tank measures 13 inches in diameter by 54 inches tall—significantly larger than I'd anticipated, even after checking the specifications.
Build quality impressed me immediately. The fiberglass tank felt substantial, with a professional-grade appearance that matched commercial water treatment equipment I'd seen in office buildings. The Fleck 5600SXT control valve looked robust, with clear programming buttons and an easy-to-read display.
Inside the shipping box, everything was meticulously packed. The bone char media came in separate bags, the catalytic carbon in others, and all fittings were individually wrapped. The installation manual was comprehensive—24 pages of detailed instructions with clear diagrams and troubleshooting tips.
I was particularly impressed with the quality of the bypass valve assembly. Unlike cheaper systems I'd researched online, this included heavy-duty ball valves and stainless steel fittings throughout. These components alone probably cost more than some complete filter systems I'd considered.
Installation Experience: More Complex Than Expected
I consider myself reasonably handy, but this installation pushed my DIY comfort zone. The system requires a dedicated 110V electrical outlet for the control valve, plus incoming and outgoing water connections, a drain line for backwashing, and sufficient clearance for media replacement.
My biggest challenge was location selection. The unit needed to be installed on the main water line before it splits to different areas of the house, but after the water meter and pressure regulator. In my home, this meant finding space in a crowded utility room that also houses our water heater, furnace, and electrical panel.
The actual plumbing connections weren't terribly difficult, but required cutting into the main water line and installing the bypass valve assembly. I spent considerable time ensuring everything was level and properly supported, as the system weighs over 200 pounds when filled with water and media.
Loading the filtration media was straightforward but messy. The bone char creates quite a bit of dust during installation, so I recommend wearing a mask and having a shop vacuum ready. The catalytic carbon was cleaner to handle but still required careful layering according to the manual's specifications.
Programming the control valve took some patience. The Fleck 5600SXT offers numerous customization options for backwash frequency, regeneration timing, and flow rates. I initially set it to backwash every three days based on the manual's recommendations for our household size and water usage patterns.
Total installation time: about 6 hours spread across a weekend, including two trips to the hardware store for additional fittings I hadn't anticipated needing.
Performance Testing: Measuring Real-World Results
I tested our water quality before installation to establish baseline measurements, then again at various intervals post-installation. The improvements were dramatic and immediate.
Chlorine levels dropped from 2.1 PPM to undetectable (below 0.1 PPM) within the first day of operation. This was expected, as chlorine removal is typically the fastest-acting benefit of carbon filtration. The chemical odor that had always greeted us when turning on taps disappeared completely.
Fluoride reduction took longer to measure accurately, requiring a more sophisticated test kit than my basic strips. After two weeks of operation, fluoride levels had dropped from 0.7 PPM to 0.2 PPM—a roughly 70% reduction. While not complete fluoride removal, this brought levels down significantly and addressed our family's exposure concerns.
Total dissolved solids decreased from 280 PPM to 245 PPM. While not a dramatic reduction, this indicated the system was removing some dissolved contaminants beyond just chlorine and fluoride. The taste improvement was immediately noticeable—water now had a clean, neutral flavor without any chemical aftertaste.
One of the most surprising improvements was in our appliances' performance.
Our dishwasher started producing spotless glassware without rinse aid, and our coffee maker stopped developing the mineral buildup that had required monthly descaling. These weren't benefits I'd specifically researched, but they provided real value in reduced maintenance and better results.
Water pressure remained consistent throughout the house, even during peak usage times. The system's flow rate of 12 GPM proved adequate for simultaneous showers, dishwasher operation, and laundry without any noticeable pressure drops.
Daily Living Impact: The Changes We Actually Notice
Eight months later, the improvements have become our new normal, but I still notice the differences when we travel or visit friends with untreated water.
My wife's skin improvements were gradual but significant. The dry, itchy skin she'd attributed to Denver's climate improved noticeably within a month. Her dermatologist even commented on the improvement during a routine visit, asking if she'd changed skincare products. When she mentioned the water filtration system, he nodded knowingly—apparently, chlorine exposure can exacerbate certain skin conditions.
Our children, ages 8 and 11, adapted quickly to the improved water taste. They now actually drink tap water instead of constantly asking for juice or flavored drinks. This change alone has saved us money on beverages and reduced their sugar intake significantly.
Cooking improvements were subtler but real. Rice doesn't have the slight off-flavor it used to develop, and tea brewing produces clearer, better-tasting results. I never realized how much chlorine was affecting food preparation until it was removed from the equation.
Laundry seems brighter, and clothes feel softer even without fabric softener. While I can't prove the water filtration is entirely responsible, our clothing definitely lasts longer and maintains color better than before installation.
The most unexpected benefit has been ice quality.
Our refrigerator's ice maker now produces clear, odorless ice cubes that don't impart any flavor to drinks. Previously, ice had a noticeable chlorine taste that I'd grown accustomed to ignoring.
Ongoing Costs and Maintenance Reality
Operating costs have been reasonable but not negligible. The system backwashes automatically every three days, using approximately 150 gallons of water per cycle. In Denver, this adds about $45 to our annual water bill—a cost I hadn't initially calculated but wasn't surprised by given the system's need to clean itself regularly.
Electricity consumption is minimal. The control valve draws power only during backwash cycles and for maintaining its programming memory. I estimate it adds less than $20 annually to our electric bill.
Media replacement is the major long-term expense. SoftPro recommends replacing the catalytic carbon and bone char every 3-5 years depending on water usage and quality. For our family's consumption patterns, replacement media costs approximately $400 every four years. This works out to about $100 annually for media replacement.
I've had no maintenance issues requiring service calls or parts replacement. The Fleck control valve has operated flawlessly, and the system's performance hasn't degraded noticeably over eight months of operation. The bypass valve system makes it easy to isolate the filter for any future maintenance without shutting off water to the entire house.
Total annual operating costs run approximately $165—$45 for backwash water, $20 for electricity, and $100 for amortized media replacement.
Compared to buying bottled water for drinking and cooking, this system pays for itself within the first year while providing filtered water for every use throughout the house.
Final Assessment: Was This Investment Worth It?
After eight months of real-world use, I can confidently say this system has exceeded my expectations. The water quality improvements are significant and consistent, the system operates reliably without intervention, and the health benefits for our family justify the investment.
What impressed me most was the system's comprehensive approach to water treatment.
Instead of addressing just chlorine taste and odor like basic carbon filters, or requiring multiple systems for different contaminants, this single unit handles the primary concerns Fluoride Filter we had about our municipal water supply.
The installation complexity was higher than I'd hoped, but the professional-grade components and robust construction suggest this system will provide many years of reliable service. For families concerned about fluoride exposure, chlorine sensitivity, or general water quality improvement, this represents an excellent long-term solution.
Would I purchase this system again? Absolutely.
The combination of health benefits, taste improvements, appliance protection, and convenience of whole-house filtration has made this one of the best home improvements we've invested in. For the cost of a mid-range appliance, we've fundamentally improved our daily quality of life and reduced ongoing expenses for bottled water and appliance maintenance.
If you're considering a whole house water filtration system and have concerns about fluoride, chloramines, or comprehensive contaminant removal, the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter deserves serious consideration. Just budget for professional installation if you're not comfortable with significant plumbing modifications—the peace of mind is worth the additional cost.