Hi, I'm Markus Keller. I live in Miami.
Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my experience as a homeowner 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 even municipal water systems can contain over 80 different contaminants, many of which standard carbon filters simply can't handle?
I certainly didn't realize this until I started researching why my Miami tap water tasted like a swimming pool and left my family's skin feeling dry and irritated after every shower. What started as a simple quest to improve our water taste turned into an eight-month journey that completely transformed our home's water quality.
After extensive research and testing three different filtration systems, I installed the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter in March 2024. Eight months later, I can honestly say this catalytic bone char carbon system has exceeded my expectations in ways I never anticipated.
The difference isn't just in taste—though that improvement was immediate and dramatic. The real surprise has been the comprehensive impact on our daily lives, from longer-lasting appliances to noticeably softer skin and hair for my entire family.
The Water Quality Problem That Started It All
Living in Miami, I always assumed our municipal water was reasonably good. Sure, it had that distinct chlorine smell and taste, but I figured that was just normal city water. What I didn't realize was how much this "normal" water was actually affecting our health and home.
The wake-up call came during a routine maintenance visit from our HVAC technician. While checking our water heater, he pointed out significant mineral buildup and corrosion that shouldn't have been present in a unit only three years old. "Your water's doing this," he said, scraping off chalky deposits. "This thing's aging fast."
That comment sent me down a research rabbit hole. I purchased a TDS meter and basic water testing kit, discovering our municipal water consistently measured 340-380 parts per million of total dissolved solids. More concerning were the 2.1 ppm chlorine levels and detectable fluoride readings that standard carbon filters couldn't address.
The health implications became clear when I connected the dots between our water quality and persistent family issues.
My wife had been complaining about dry, itchy skin for months. Our 12-year-old daughter's eczema seemed worse after swimming in our neighbor's pool, but oddly, she also showed mild skin irritation after long baths at home. Even our morning coffee tasted off, requiring extra grounds to mask the underlying chemical flavor.
Beyond health concerns, the financial impact was mounting. Our dishwasher had already needed two repairs for mineral buildup. White clothes emerged from the washing machine with a grayish tinge. I calculated we were spending nearly $180 monthly on bottled water, specialty soaps for sensitive skin, and premature appliance maintenance.
The breaking point came during a dinner party when a guest diplomatically asked if we had "city water" because the ice cubes in their drink had a noticeable chlorine taste. That embarrassment motivated me to finally address our water quality comprehensively.
My Research Journey Into Advanced Filtration
Initially, I assumed a simple under-sink carbon filter would solve our problems. How wrong I was about the complexity of water filtration technology.
My research revealed that standard activated carbon, while effective for basic chlorine removal, falls short against fluoride, chloramines, and many synthetic chemicals. I needed to understand the difference between adsorption and catalytic reduction, terms I'd never encountered before.
Catalytic carbon, I learned, doesn't just trap contaminants—it actually breaks down chloramines into harmless components through a chemical reaction. This was crucial because Miami's water treatment facility had recently switched to chloramines for secondary disinfection, explaining why our water issues seemed to worsen over the past year.
But fluoride removal required an entirely different approach.
Bone char, derived from animal bones heated in oxygen-free environments, creates a unique porous structure with specific affinity for fluoride ions. Unlike reverse osmosis systems that waste significant water, bone char achieves fluoride reduction while maintaining beneficial minerals and water pressure.
I spent weeks comparing technologies:
Reverse Osmosis: Excellent contaminant removal but strips all minerals, wastes 3-4 gallons per gallon produced, and creates acidic water requiring remineralization.
Standard Carbon: Good for basic chlorine and taste issues but ineffective against fluoride, chloramines, and many pharmaceutical residues.
KDF Media: Effective against heavy metals and some bacteria but requires frequent maintenance and doesn't address fluoride or advanced organic contaminants.
Catalytic Carbon Bone Char Combination: Addresses the broadest spectrum of contaminants while maintaining water pressure, mineral content, and pH balance.
The SoftPro system's dual-media approach made sense for our comprehensive needs. The catalytic carbon handles chlorine, chloramines, VOCs, and many synthetic chemicals, while the bone char specifically targets fluoride and provides additional organic compound reduction.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The delivery experience immediately set professional expectations.
The system arrived in two separate boxes—one containing the 1.5 cubic feet fiberglass tank and control head, another with the media, installation hardware, and documentation. Everything was exceptionally well-packaged with custom foam inserts preventing any shipping damage.
Physical inspection revealed quality construction throughout. The Pentair control head felt substantial with clearly labeled connections. The fiberglass tank, measuring 10 inches in diameter and 54 inches tall, was much more compact than I expected for a whole-house system. At approximately 75 pounds when filled with media, it required two people for positioning, but the size fit comfortably in our utility room corner.
The included installation manual impressed me with its clarity and comprehensive coverage. Unlike typical appliance instructions, this guide included actual plumbing diagrams, bypass valve configurations, and troubleshooting flowcharts. Professional installation was recommended, but the manual provided sufficient detail for a confident DIYer.
Component quality exceeded my expectations. The bypass valve assembly was solid brass, not plastic. Fittings were properly threaded and included thread tape. Even small details like the mounting bracket and drain tubing showed attention to durability.
One pleasant surprise was the pre-loaded media. Unlike some systems requiring media loading during installation, the SoftPro arrived with catalytic carbon and bone char already properly layered in the tank. This eliminated potential installation errors and messy media handling.
Installation Experience and Initial Setup
Despite my mechanical confidence, I chose professional installation for this system—a decision I don't regret.
My plumber, experienced with whole-house filtration systems, completed the installation in approximately three hours. The process involved cutting into the main water line after the pressure tank but before the water heater, installing the bypass valve assembly, and connecting the system's inlet and outlet ports.
Critical installation considerations included ensuring adequate clearance above the tank for future media replacement and positioning the drain line for backwash discharge. Our utility room's floor drain was perfectly positioned, but homes without proper drainage would need additional plumbing work.
The electrical connection was straightforward—a standard 110V outlet powers the control head for automated backwash cycles. Programming the initial settings required entering our water hardness level (8 grains per gallon in Miami) and setting backwash frequency based on household water usage.
Initial system startup involved a thorough backwash cycle to remove any media fines and properly settle the filtration layers. This process took about 20 minutes, during which time we couldn't use household water. The control head's LCD display clearly showed cycle progress and remaining time.
First water flow through the system produced slightly cloudy water for about five minutes—normal according to the documentation as remaining media particles cleared. After this initial flush, water clarity was excellent and pressure remained strong throughout the house.
The most impressive aspect was immediate taste improvement. Even before the system had time to fully condition, the chlorine odor was completely eliminated. Our first glass of filtered water tasted noticeably cleaner and more refreshing than anything we'd experienced from our tap.
Comprehensive Performance Testing and Results
I'm somewhat obsessive about measuring performance, so I conducted extensive testing over the first six months.
Baseline measurements before installation showed:
• Total Dissolved Solids: 365 ppm
• Free Chlorine: 2.1 ppm
• Fluoride: 0.8 ppm
• pH: 7.8
• Hardness: 8.2 grains per gallon
Post-installation results after two weeks of conditioning:
• Total Dissolved Solids: 340 ppm (mineral retention achieved)
• Free Chlorine: 0.0 ppm (complete removal)
• Fluoride: 0.1 ppm (87% reduction)
• pH: 7.6 (stable, no acidification)
• Hardness: 8.0 grains per gallon (minimal change)
The fluoride reduction particularly impressed me because bone char typically achieves 85-95% removal, and our results fell perfectly within this range.
Taste testing revealed dramatic improvements across multiple scenarios. Coffee brewed with filtered water required 20% less grounds to achieve the same strength, indicating how chlorine and fluoride had been masking natural flavors. Ice cubes became crystal clear instead of cloudy, and even simple tap water drinking became enjoyable rather than tolerable.
Flow rate testing showed minimal pressure loss. Our shower pressure, previously adequate at 45 PSI, dropped only to 42 PSI—imperceptible during actual use. Even with multiple fixtures running simultaneously, pressure remained consistent throughout the house.
Long-term performance monitoring over eight months shows consistent contaminant removal with no degradation. Monthly testing continues to show zero chlorine detection and fluoride levels remaining below 0.15 ppm. The system's capacity appears to be performing exactly as specified.
One unexpected benefit was water heater efficiency improvement. Our monthly natural gas usage for water heating decreased by approximately 12%, likely due Fluoride Filter to reduced mineral buildup and improved heat transfer efficiency.
Real-World Daily Living Impact
The transformation in our household's daily experience has been remarkable and touched virtually every aspect of our water usage.
Morning routines became noticeably more pleasant. Shower water feels softer against skin, and the absence of chlorine odor creates a more spa-like experience. My wife's chronic dry skin issues resolved within six weeks—something we'd previously attributed to Miami's humidity and aging.
Our daughter's eczema, which had persisted despite prescription creams and special soaps, showed significant improvement within two months. Her pediatric dermatologist was genuinely surprised by the improvement and asked about any environmental changes we'd made.
Kitchen activities transformed dramatically. Cooking pasta and rice requires less salt because the water's natural taste doesn't compete with food flavors. Homemade bread tastes better because fluoride no longer interferes with yeast activity. Even simple tasks like washing fruits and vegetables feel more effective without chlorine residue.
Laundry results improved unexpectedly. Colors remain brighter longer, and white clothes no longer develop that grayish tinge that plagued our washing for years. We've actually reduced fabric softener usage because clothes feel naturally softer without chemical-treated water.
Houseplant health improved noticeably. Our orchids, previously struggling despite proper care, began producing new blooms within four months. Research revealed that fluoride toxicity commonly affects sensitive plants, explaining their previous decline.
Guests consistently comment on our water quality now. Several friends have asked for our "secret" to great-tasting ice and coffee. One neighbor, a chef, specifically complimented our water after dining with us and has since installed a similar system.
Pet care became easier too. Our cats, previously finicky about drinking tap water, now regularly drink from their bowls instead of seeking alternative water sources. Their coats appear shinier and healthier, though this could be coincidental.
The cumulative impact extends beyond immediate quality-of-life improvements. Knowing our family is no longer exposed to unnecessary chemicals provides genuine peace of mind, especially for our developing teenager.
Operational Costs and Long-Term Value
Understanding true ownership costs was crucial for my purchasing decision, so I've meticulously tracked all expenses.
Initial system investment: $1,847 (including professional installation)
Monthly operating costs: Approximately $12 in electricity for backwash cycles
Annual media replacement: $340 for catalytic carbon and bone char (recommended every 3-5 years)
Compared to our previous bottled water expenditure of $180 monthly, the system paid for itself within eleven months. But the financial benefits extend far beyond eliminating bottled water purchases.
Appliance protection value became apparent quickly. Our dishwasher, previously requiring descaling every two months, now operates six months between cleanings. The water heater's efficiency improvement saves approximately $15 monthly in natural gas costs.
Reduced soap and detergent usage saves roughly $25 monthly because cleaning products work more effectively in chemical-free water. Even our shampoo lasts longer because we need less product to achieve the same cleaning results.
Healthcare cost reductions, while difficult to quantify precisely, include eliminated purchases of specialized eczema treatments ($40 monthly) and reduced dermatologist visits for our daughter.
Five-year total cost of ownership projects to approximately $2,800, including initial purchase, installation, media replacements, and operating expenses. This compares favorably to $10,800 for bottled water over the same period, not accounting for convenience and environmental benefits.
The return on investment extends beyond direct financial calculations.
Property value enhancement is difficult to measure but real. Whole-house filtration systems are increasingly viewed as desirable home improvements, particularly in areas with known water quality issues.
Environmental impact reduction provides intangible value. Eliminating 144 plastic water bottles monthly (our family's previous consumption) feels meaningful, especially living near environmentally sensitive coastal areas.
Maintenance Reality and Long-Term Ownership
Maintenance requirements have proven remarkably straightforward, contrary to my initial concerns about system complexity.
Daily maintenance is essentially non-existent. The automated backwash system handles all routine cleaning without user intervention. Every Wednesday at 2 AM, the system runs a 15-minute backwash cycle, removing accumulated contaminants and regenerating the media bed.
Monthly tasks include checking the bypass valve position (ensuring it remains in "service" mode) and verifying the control head display shows normal operation. These checks take less than two minutes and have become part of my routine utility room inspection.
Quarterly monitoring involves testing water quality with basic strips to confirm continued performance. I also check the drain line for any clogs or blockages, though none have occurred in eight months of operation.
The most significant maintenance requirement is media replacement, recommended every 3-5 years depending on water usage and contaminant levels. For our family of four using approximately 280 gallons daily, replacement is projected for year four.
Media replacement involves draining the tank, removing old carbon and bone char, and refilling with fresh materials. While possible as a DIY project, I plan to have our plumber handle this service to ensure proper media layering and system recommissioning.
Backwash water usage averages 45 gallons weekly—a consideration for households on wells with limited capacity. For our municipal water connection, this usage is negligible compared to the system's benefits.
System monitoring has revealed consistent performance with no unexpected issues. The control head's diagnostic capabilities provide clear status information, and any error codes are well-documented in the manual.
Seasonal performance variations are minimal. Florida's consistent water chemistry means the system operates predictably year-round, unlike areas with seasonal groundwater changes or varying municipal treatment protocols.
One pleasant surprise has been the system's reliability.
Eight months of continuous operation without any service calls or component failures demonstrates solid engineering and quality construction. The only "maintenance" required has been occasional cleaning of the control head's LCD screen.
Long-term durability appears excellent based on component quality and minimal wear observed during routine inspections. The fiberglass tank shows no signs of stress or degradation, and all fittings remain tight without leaks.
Overall, maintenance requirements align perfectly with my expectations for a premium whole-house system—minimal daily attention with predictable, manageable long-term service needs.