Hi, I'm Lisa O.. I live in Florida.
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 choosing a whole house water filter can be one of the most frustrating yet rewarding home improvement decisions you'll ever make?
When I first started researching water filtration systems six months ago, I had no idea I'd end up on such a learning journey. What began as a simple desire to reduce the chlorine taste in our tap water evolved into a deep dive into catalytic carbon, bone char filtration, and the complex world of whole house water treatment.
After three months of research and now four months of daily use, I'm ready to share my complete, unfiltered experience with the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter. This isn't just another product review – it's the real story of installation headaches, learning curves, and the gradual transformation of our home's water quality.
The Water Problems That Started It All
Living in Florida means dealing with heavily chlorinated municipal water. Every morning, I'd fill my coffee maker and immediately smell that swimming pool odor. My husband complained about the taste, and our guests would politely ask for bottled water instead of what came from our tap.
But the chlorine was just the beginning. After getting our water tested by a local company, I discovered we also had fluoride levels at 1.2 ppm – not dangerous, but higher than I preferred for my family. The technician mentioned that standard carbon filters wouldn't touch fluoride, which sent me down a research rabbit hole about specialized filtration media.
Our water pressure was excellent at 65 PSI throughout the house, and our municipal supply consistently tested at 180 ppm TDS. The primary contaminants we wanted to address were:
- Chlorine (taste and odor)Chloramines (present during certain seasons)Fluoride (1.2 ppm level)Volatile organic compoundsGeneral taste and odor issues
I initially tried pitcher filters and even installed an under-sink RO system in the kitchen, but treating water at just one point felt like a partial solution. We still had chlorinated water for showers, laundry, and the other faucets throughout our 2,400 square foot home.
Research Phase: Learning About Catalytic Carbon and Bone Char
My research started with basic activated carbon systems, but I quickly learned that removing fluoride requires specialized media. That's when I discovered bone char – a calcium phosphate material that can adsorb fluoride through ion exchange mechanisms.
The SoftPro system caught my attention because it combines catalytic carbon with bone char in a single tank configuration. Catalytic carbon is essentially activated carbon that's been treated to enhance its ability to remove chloramines – those chlorine-ammonia compounds that regular carbon struggles with.
Here's what made the SoftPro system stand out during my research:
The upflow design maintains constant media contact while preventing channeling – a problem where water finds the path of least resistance through the filter bed. Most residential systems use downflow, but upflow keeps the media properly suspended and provides more consistent filtration.
The catalytic carbon component specifically targets chlorine, chloramines, hydrogen sulfide, and various organic compounds. Unlike regular activated carbon that physically traps contaminants, catalytic carbon actually breaks down chloramines through oxidation.
The bone char portion handles fluoride removal through adsorption, with a capacity of approximately 30,000 gallons before replacement – translating to roughly 18-24 months for our household of three adults.
What sealed the decision was the system's 12 GPM flow rate capability and the fact that it required no electricity, drain connection, or salt – just periodic media replacement every 2-3 years depending on usage and water quality.
Installation Day: When Documentation Fails You
This is where my experience took a frustrating turn, and honestly, it's the biggest drawback I need to address upfront.
The system arrived on a Thursday afternoon, packaged securely in a wooden crate. The 48-inch tall tank looked substantial, and the Fleck 2510SXT control head appeared well-built. However, when I opened the installation manual, I immediately noticed the problem that would define my weekend.
The documentation provided was clearly generic – written for multiple system configurations without specific guidance for the upflow catalytic carbon model I'd purchased. The diagrams showed downflow configurations, and the plumbing schematics didn't clearly indicate which ports were for source water inflow and which handled filtered water outflow.
Since I'd planned a weekend installation and SoftPro's customer service wasn't available until Monday, I found Fluoride Filter myself stuck. The YouTube videos I located were helpful for general Fleck valve operation but didn't address the specific piping configuration for this upflow system.
After two days of careful examination and multiple calls to local plumbers (none immediately available), I finally connected the system based on logical deduction and industry standard practices. Source water enters the control valve from the main supply, flows down through the riser tube to the bottom of the tank, then travels upward through the media bed before exiting through the control head to the house distribution.
Monday morning, I reached SoftPro's technical support and confirmed my installation was correct, but those three days of uncertainty were completely unnecessary. Clear documentation specific to the actual product purchased would have saved significant frustration.
First Impressions and Initial Performance
Once properly installed and the system commissioned, my first impressions were overwhelmingly positive.
The tank construction feels substantial – heavy-duty fiberglass with a quality finish that looks professional in our utility room. The Fleck control head operates quietly, and the LCD display clearly shows system status and days remaining until the next backwash cycle.
The initial backwash cycle took about 35 minutes and used approximately 180 gallons of water to properly settle the media and remove any fines. I watched the discharge water gradually clear from dark brown to crystal clear – exactly what you want to see during commissioning.
Water pressure remained excellent throughout the house – I measured 62 PSI at the kitchen sink compared to our previous 65 PSI baseline. The 3 PSI drop is negligible and exactly what you'd expect from any whole house filtration system.
The most immediate change was taste. Within hours, the chlorine odor was completely eliminated. Coffee tasted noticeably cleaner, and my husband immediately commented on the difference. Our guests stopped asking for bottled water.
I tested the water after one week using TDS and chlorine test strips. TDS remained unchanged at 180 ppm (as expected – this system removes specific contaminants without demineralizing water), but chlorine levels dropped from 2.1 ppm to undetectable levels.
Living With the System: Four Months of Daily Experience
After four months of daily use, I can provide a realistic assessment of what ownership actually looks like.
Water Quality Improvements:
The elimination of chlorine and chloramines is complete and consistent. We've had zero instances of chlorine taste or odor, even during periods when the municipality increases chlorination levels. The catalytic carbon handles chloramines effectively – something our previous pitcher filters never addressed.
Fluoride reduction has been significant though not complete elimination. Using a fluoride test kit, our levels dropped from 1.2 ppm to approximately 0.4 ppm – a 67% reduction that brings us well within my comfort zone.
General taste and odor improvements extend beyond just chlorine. Our water tastes clean and neutral, without the flat taste sometimes associated with over-filtered water.
Operational Characteristics:
The system backwashes automatically every 7 days, a process that takes 35-40 minutes and uses about 180 gallons. I initially worried about the water usage, but calculated this represents less than 2% of our monthly consumption.
Flow rate remains excellent even during peak demand. Running the dishwasher, washing machine, and taking a shower simultaneously produces no noticeable pressure drop or performance degradation.
The upflow design has proven beneficial during our few power outages. Unlike systems requiring electricity, this continues operating normally once power returns without any restart procedures.
Maintenance Reality:
The system is genuinely low-maintenance. Beyond monitoring the LCD display and ensuring adequate salt for the occasional sanitization (every 6 months), there's nothing required. No filter cartridges to remember, no monthly maintenance tasks.
I do check the system status weekly and test water quality monthly using simple test strips, but this takes less than 5 minutes total.
Performance Testing and Measurable Results
Being naturally curious about whether the system delivers on its promises, I've conducted regular testing using both professional lab analysis and home test kits.
Chlorine Removal:
Tested monthly using DPD chlorine test kits. Incoming chlorine levels vary seasonally from 1.8 to 2.4 ppm, while filtered water consistently tests at 0.0 ppm. The catalytic carbon provides complete chlorine removal under all conditions tested.
Chloramine Performance:
Our municipality occasionally uses chloramines, particularly during summer months. Using a specific chloramine test kit during these periods, the system reduced chloramine levels from 3.1 ppm to undetectable levels – confirming the catalytic carbon's enhanced capabilities.
Fluoride Reduction:
Professional lab testing at 3 months showed fluoride reduction from 1.2 ppm to 0.38 ppm – a 68% reduction. Home test kits confirm this performance remains consistent. The bone char media is performing as expected, though complete fluoride elimination would require a specialized RO system.
Flow Rate and Pressure:
Under maximum demand conditions (3 fixtures running simultaneously), pressure drops only to 58 PSI from our 65 PSI baseline. The 12 GPM rating appears accurate based on real-world testing.
TDS and pH:
TDS remains stable at 175-180 ppm, confirming the system removes specific contaminants without demineralizing water. pH stays within normal range (7.1-7.4), avoiding the acidic water issues associated with some carbon filtration systems.
Costs, Efficiency, and Long-Term Ownership
Initial Investment:
The system cost $1,847 including shipping, which positions it in the upper-middle range for whole house filtration systems. Compared to basic carbon filters ($800-1,200) or premium multi-stage systems ($2,500-4,000), it represents good value for the specific contaminants it addresses.
Operational Costs:
Monthly operational costs are minimal – approximately $12 in additional water usage for backwashing and $3 in electricity for the control valve. The system requires no salt, chemicals, or replacement cartridges during normal operation.
Media Replacement:
The catalytic carbon and bone char media will need replacement in approximately 24-30 months based on our usage and water quality. SoftPro quotes $380 for media replacement, which breaks down to roughly $13-16 monthly over the media life.
Total monthly ownership cost averages $28-32 when including media replacement reserves – competitive with quality under-sink systems when considering whole house coverage.
Savings Generated:
We've eliminated bottled water purchases (saving $40 monthly), reduced soap and detergent usage due to chlorine removal, and our coffee maker hasn't required descaling since installation. These savings partially offset operational costs.
Return on Investment:
Comparing to our previous combination of under-sink RO, shower filter, and bottled water, the payback period is approximately 28 months. Beyond that point, it provides net savings while covering the entire house.
Who Should Consider This System vs. Alternatives
Ideal Candidates:
This system excels for households dealing with chlorinated municipal water who specifically want fluoride reduction without complete demineralization. If you're concerned about chloramines (common in many municipalities), the catalytic carbon provides advantages over standard activated carbon systems.
Homes with good water pressure (minimum 40 PSI) and moderate to high water usage benefit most from the whole house approach. The upflow design makes it particularly suitable for homes with variable demand patterns.
Households preferring low-maintenance solutions will appreciate the minimal ongoing requirements compared to systems with monthly cartridge changes or complex maintenance schedules.
Consider Alternatives If:
Your primary concern is hard water minerals – this system doesn't soften water, so you'd need a separate water softener or a combination system.
You require complete fluoride elimination – while this system provides significant reduction, RO systems achieve nearly complete removal.
Budget constraints are primary – basic whole house carbon filters cost significantly less and address chlorine/taste issues without fluoride reduction capabilities.
You're dealing with iron, manganese, or hydrogen sulfide – specialized oxidation or greensand systems would be more appropriate.
Installation Considerations:
The system requires adequate clearance (48" height plus 12" for connections) and proximity to a drain for backwash discharge. Professional installation is recommended unless you're comfortable with basic plumbing modifications.
Municipal water customers will find this system most beneficial, while well water users might need additional treatment stages depending on their specific water analysis.
Final Honest Assessment:
After four months of ownership, this system delivers exactly what it promises – effective chlorine and chloramine removal with significant fluoride reduction. The water quality improvements are noticeable and consistent.
My main frustration remains the inadequate installation documentation, which unnecessarily complicated what should have been a straightforward weekend project. SoftPro's technical support is knowledgeable and helpful, but better documentation would prevent many customer service calls.
The system's build quality appears excellent, and performance has remained consistent without any operational issues. While it's not the cheapest option available, it provides good value for households with specific fluoride concerns who want whole house treatment.
Would I purchase it again? Yes, but I'd definitely recommend budgeting for professional installation unless you're confident in your plumbing skills and comfortable working with incomplete documentation. The water quality benefits justify the investment, and the low maintenance requirements make long-term ownership pleasant.
For families concerned about chlorine, chloramines, and fluoride in their municipal water supply, this system provides an effective, low-maintenance solution that covers the entire house rather than just individual points of use.