Hi, I'm Li Xiang. I live in Tampa. 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 water coming into most homes contains over 80 different contaminants that can affect taste, smell, and potentially your family's health?
I certainly didn't until eight months ago when I started researching why our Tampa tap water tasted like I was drinking from a swimming pool. What began as a simple quest to improve our drinking water turned into a comprehensive education about municipal water treatment, fluoride removal, and the difference between basic carbon filters and advanced catalytic systems.
After installing the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter, I can honestly say our water quality transformed completely. But this journey wasn't without its learning curves, unexpected discoveries, and a few surprises along the way.
The Problem That Started Everything
Living in Tampa, our municipal water comes from the Hillsborough River and underground aquifers. https://qualitywatertreatment.com/products/whole-house-upflow-catalytic-bone-char-carbon-water-filter While it meets EPA standards, the chlorine smell was overwhelming – especially during summer months when treatment levels increase.
Every morning, I'd fill my coffee maker and immediately smell that sharp chlorine odor. My wife complained that her morning shower left her skin feeling dry and her hair brittle. Even our ice cubes had a chemical taste that affected every cold drink.
But the real wake-up call came when I tested our water with a TDS meter I'd bought on Amazon. Our incoming water measured 280 parts per million of total dissolved solids, with a distinct chlorine reading of 3.2 ppm – well within legal limits but far from ideal for daily consumption.
I started researching fluoride removal specifically because we have young children, and I wanted to give them the choice about fluoride intake rather than having it mandated through our water supply. That's when I discovered that standard carbon filters can't remove fluoride – you need specialized media like bone char or activated alumina.
Research and Decision Process
My research phase lasted three weeks and involved way more chemistry learning than I'd planned. I discovered that municipal water treatment involves multiple chemical additions: chlorine for disinfection, fluoride for dental health, and various other compounds for pH balancing and corrosion control.
The challenge was finding a system that could handle multiple contaminants without creating a maintenance nightmare. I looked at reverse osmosis systems first, but the water waste bothered me – up to 4 gallons down the drain for every gallon of clean water seemed excessive for our drought-prone region.
Standard carbon filters were appealing for their simplicity, but they don't remove fluoride, and their chlorine removal capacity degrades quickly with high-flow applications. I needed something more robust for whole-house treatment.
That's when I discovered catalytic carbon technology. Unlike regular activated carbon, catalytic carbon can regenerate itself when exposed to hot water, extending its effective lifespan significantly. Combined with bone char for fluoride removal, it seemed like the perfect solution.
The SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter caught my attention because it combines both technologies in a single upflow system. The specs were impressive: 600,000-gallon capacity, 15 GPM flow rate, and certification for removing both chlorine and fluoride along with dozens of other contaminants.
Installation Experience
The system arrived in a heavy-duty cardboard box that required two people to move safely. At 150 pounds when loaded with media, this isn't a lightweight solution, but the substantial build quality was immediately apparent.
I opted for professional installation through SoftPro's network, and I'm glad I did. While I'm reasonably handy, the installation required cutting into our main water line and installing a bypass valve system that exceeded my comfort zone.
The installer, Mike, arrived with all necessary fittings and explained the entire process. The installation took about 4 hours, including the time needed to locate an optimal position in our garage that provided adequate clearance for future maintenance.
The system requires a drain connection for backwashing, which we ran to our garage floor drain. Mike also installed a pressure gauge and flow meter so I could monitor system performance over time.
Initial startup involved a thorough backwash cycle to remove any carbon dust and settle the media bed. The first water that came through was slightly gray, but after the prescribed 20-minute flush, it ran crystal clear.
Performance Analysis and Testing
I tested our water quality before and after installation using both home test kits and a comprehensive lab analysis. The results were impressive and measurable.
Chlorine levels dropped from 3.2 ppm to undetectable – the catalytic carbon completely eliminated the chemical taste and smell. Our TDS reading decreased from 280 ppm to 245 ppm, indicating removal of various dissolved contaminants.
For fluoride testing, I used a digital fluoride meter since standard TDS meters don't measure fluoride specifically. Our municipal supply contained 0.8 ppm fluoride, which the bone char reduced to 0.1 ppm – a 87% reduction that exceeded my expectations.
But the real test was daily use. Coffee tasted dramatically better – no more chemical aftertaste that required extra cream to mask. Ice cubes were crystal clear and odorless. My wife noticed immediate improvements in her hair texture and skin hydration.
Flow rate remained excellent throughout the house. Even with the dishwasher and washing machine running simultaneously, shower pressure stayed consistent at around 50 PSI – only a 5 PSI drop from our municipal pressure.
Daily Life Impact and Benefits
The transformation in our daily water experience was immediate and comprehensive. Our morning coffee routine became genuinely enjoyable again – I could actually taste the coffee beans rather than fighting chlorine flavors.
Cooking improvements were unexpected but significant. Rice cooked with filtered water had better texture and flavor. Pasta water didn't have that slight chemical smell during boiling. Even washing vegetables felt better knowing we weren't rinsing them in chlorinated water.
My wife's skin and hair improvements continued for weeks after installation. Her dermatologist even commented on improved skin hydration during her annual checkup, though obviously multiple factors could contribute to that.
We eliminated bottled water purchases entirely, which saves approximately $60 monthly. Our kids drink tap water willingly now, whereas before they'd complain about the taste and ask for juice instead.
One unexpected benefit was improved aquarium maintenance. Our tropical fish tank required fewer water conditioners since the filtered water was already free of chlorine and chloramines.
Maintenance and Operating Costs
After eight months of operation, maintenance has been straightforward but requires attention to detail. The system automatically backwashes every 7 days, consuming about 50 gallons of water per cycle.
I monitor the system weekly, checking the bypass valve position and noting any pressure changes. The control valve includes diagnostic indicators that show flow rates and cycle timing, making troubleshooting simple.
Media replacement won't be necessary for several years based on our usage, but I've calculated the costs. The catalytic carbon and bone char replacement will cost approximately $400 when needed, likely in 3-4 years given our household consumption.
Electricity usage is minimal – the control valve draws about the same power as a digital alarm clock. Water usage for backwashing adds roughly $8 monthly to our utility bill, but we save more than that by eliminating bottled water.
The bypass valve system allows us to isolate the filter for maintenance without shutting off water to the house, which proved valuable during one control valve adjustment.
Limitations and Honest Drawbacks
No system is perfect, and this one has some limitations worth mentioning. The initial investment of $2,800 including installation isn't trivial, though I've calculated a payback period of about 3 years considering bottled water savings and potential health benefits.
Space requirements are substantial – the 10-inch diameter tank stands 54 inches tall and needs clearance for media replacement. Our garage accommodated it fine, but basement or utility room installations might face space constraints.
The automatic backwash cycle occasionally runs during high-demand periods, temporarily reducing water pressure. This happens maybe once monthly and lasts only 20 minutes, but it's noticeable when taking a shower.
Fluoride removal efficiency decreases over time as the bone char becomes saturated. While still effective after 8 months, I expect performance to gradually decline until media replacement becomes necessary.
The system can't remove every possible contaminant. Heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses require different treatment approaches. It's specifically designed for chemical removal, not biological or metallic contamination.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
After eight months of daily use, I'm genuinely satisfied with the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter's performance. It solved our specific water quality issues completely and provided benefits I hadn't anticipated.
The combination of catalytic carbon and bone char media addresses multiple contaminants effectively, and the upflow design maximizes contact time for thorough filtration. Build quality appears excellent, and the control system operates reliably.
This system excels for households dealing with heavily chlorinated municipal water who want comprehensive chemical removal without the complexity of reverse osmosis. Families concerned about fluoride intake will appreciate the effective reduction capabilities.
However, the significant upfront investment makes this unsuitable for renters or anyone seeking a budget solution. The space requirements and professional installation needs also limit applicability for some situations.
Would I purchase it again? Absolutely. The daily quality improvements, long-term cost savings, and peace of mind about our family's water supply make it worthwhile. Our water now tastes like premium bottled water, but it flows from every tap in our house.
For Tampa residents dealing with similar chlorine and fluoride concerns, particularly families with young children, this system delivers comprehensive results that justify the investment. Just ensure you have adequate space and budget for both purchase and eventual media replacement.