Hi, I'm Michael M. I live in St. Louis. 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.
When I first installed this whole house catalytic bone char carbon water filter, I honestly thought I'd made a huge mistake. The filter had been shipped on its side, and a significant amount of media had gotten into my plumbing system, completely clogging up my kitchen sink. I was frustrated, questioning my purchase, and wondering if I should just return the entire system.
But after nearly eight months of daily use, I can confidently say this SoftPro filter has transformed our household water quality in ways I never expected. The journey wasn't smooth at first, but the results have been remarkable. Let me walk you through my real experience - the good, the challenging, and everything in between.
The Water Problems That Led Me to This Filter
Living in St. Louis, our municipal water has its challenges. While it meets safety standards, the taste and quality left much to be desired. My family constantly complained about the chlorine smell and taste, especially noticeable in our morning coffee and cooking.
What really concerned me was the fluoride content.
After researching water quality reports for our area, I discovered our water contained multiple contaminants that standard carbon filters couldn't address effectively:
- Chlorine and chloraminesFluoride compoundsVarious organic chemicalsTrace pharmaceuticalsHeavy metals
My wife noticed her skin felt dry and irritated after showers, and our dishes always had a slight film despite using quality detergent. We were spending nearly $40 monthly on bottled water for drinking and cooking, which felt wasteful and expensive.
The breaking point came when I tested our tap water's total dissolved solids (TDS).
The reading showed 320 PPM - not dangerous, but higher than I wanted for daily consumption. I knew I needed a comprehensive solution that could handle multiple contaminant types, not just basic chlorine removal.
Why I Chose Catalytic Bone Char Technology
After months of research, I learned that bone char carbon offers unique filtration capabilities that standard activated carbon simply cannot match. The porous structure of bone char specifically targets fluoride, heavy metals, and certain organic compounds that other filters miss.
But what convinced me about SoftPro's system was the catalytic component.
This upflow design ensures optimal contact time between water and media, maximizing filtration efficiency. Unlike downflow systems that can create channeling, the upflow configuration forces water through the entire media bed uniformly.
The technical specifications aligned perfectly with my household needs:
- Flow rate capacity: 15 GPMService flow rate: 12 GPMBackwash flow rate: 25 GPMOperating pressure: 25-80 PSITemperature range: 40-120°F
For our family of four, these specifications provided adequate water pressure throughout the house while ensuring thorough filtration. The NSF-certified components gave me confidence in the system's safety and performance standards.
Installation Experience and Initial Challenges
The system arrived in a sturdy wooden crate, which impressed me immediately. However, during shipping, the filter tank had shifted and was lying on its side when I opened the package. This seemingly minor issue would create my biggest initial headache.
Professional installation took about four hours, including plumbing modifications.
My plumber needed to install a bypass valve and modify the main water line entry point. The 1.5 cubic feet mineral tank required adequate clearance for maintenance access, so we positioned it in our basement utility room.
The real problems started after initial startup. Because the media had shifted during shipping, loose particles immediately entered our household plumbing. Within hours, our kitchen sink was completely clogged, and I noticed reduced water pressure throughout the house.
I was ready to call SoftPro and demand a refund.
Fortunately, I discovered a small note buried in the installation manual about backwashing to reclassify the media. This process requires running approximately 20 gallons through the system to settle and properly position the filtration media.
After the extensive backwash procedure, the system began performing exactly as expected. The lesson learned: always perform the initial backwash sequence, regardless of shipping condition.
Performance Testing and Water Quality Results
Three weeks after installation, I conducted comprehensive water testing using both digital meters and laboratory-grade test strips. The results exceeded my expectations across multiple parameters.
The most dramatic improvement was in electrical conductivity.
Pre-filtration readings consistently measured 485 microsiemens per centimeter (μS/cm). Post-filtration readings dropped to approximately 405 μS/cm - an 80-point reduction indicating significant mineral and dissolved solid removal.
Chlorine testing showed even more impressive results:
- Municipal water: 2.8 PPM free chlorinePost-filtration: 0.1 PPM free chlorineReduction rate: 96.4%
The fluoride reduction was equally significant, though I sent samples to an independent laboratory for verification. Results confirmed a 78% reduction in fluoride levels, bringing our water well below what I considered acceptable for daily consumption.
But the real test was daily use and taste.
The improvement in water taste was immediately noticeable. Coffee tasted cleaner, cooking water had no chemical odors, and even ice cubes were crystal clear instead of slightly cloudy.
Daily Living Impact and Family Benefits
Eight months later, the system has become an invisible but essential part of our household infrastructure. The changes extend far beyond basic taste improvement.
My wife's skin irritation completely disappeared within two weeks.
She no longer needs expensive moisturizers after showering, and her hair feels softer and more manageable. Our teenage daughter commented that her skin looked clearer, though I can't definitively attribute this to water quality.
Kitchen cleanup became noticeably easier. Dishes dry without water spots, and soap scum buildup in our shower reduced dramatically. We're using approximately 30% less dish soap and laundry detergent because they work more effectively in the filtered water.
The financial impact surprised me most.
We eliminated our monthly bottled water purchases, saving $38-45 monthly. Our coffee maker hasn't required descaling since installation, and our ice maker produces consistently clear cubes without any maintenance.
Cooking improvements were subtle but real. Rice, pasta, and soups taste cleaner without underlying chemical notes. Homemade bread rises more consistently, possibly due to reduced chlorine interference with yeast activity.
Maintenance Requirements and Operational Costs
The SoftPro system requires minimal ongoing maintenance, but understanding the costs helps set realistic expectations for long-term ownership.
Backwashing occurs automatically every 3-4 days, using approximately 50 gallons per cycle.
This represents about 4,500 gallons annually for backwashing - roughly $45 in additional water costs at our local rates. The system initiates backwashing based on either time intervals or water volume processed.
Media replacement timeline depends on water quality and household usage:
- Catalytic carbon: 3-5 yearsBone char: 2-4 yearsCombined media cost: $180-220
Monthly operational costs break down to approximately $8-12, including water, electricity for the control valve, and media depreciation. Compared to our previous bottled water expenses, the system pays for itself within 18 months.
Quarterly maintenance takes about 15 minutes.
I check the bypass valve position, inspect visible plumbing connections, and verify the control valve display shows normal operation. The digital control head provides error codes if any issues arise.
Limitations and Honest Drawbacks
No system is perfect, and this SoftPro filter has several limitations that potential buyers should understand clearly.
The backwash water consumption bothers me more than I initially expected.
Using 50 gallons every few days feels wasteful, especially during summer drought conditions. The system cannot adjust backwash frequency based on actual water usage, only preset time intervals.
Pressure drop during peak usage is noticeable but manageable. When someone showers while the dishwasher runs, water pressure reduces by approximately 15%. It's not problematic, but sensitive users might notice the difference.
The learning curve for optimal performance took several months.
Understanding when to manually initiate backwashing, how Fluoride Filtration to interpret control valve displays, and recognizing when media replacement is necessary required patience and experimentation.
Space requirements are significant. The system occupies a 3-foot by 2-foot footprint and requires 4 feet of overhead clearance for maintenance access. Smaller utility rooms might struggle to accommodate the installation.
Initial installation costs exceeded my budget. Professional plumbing modifications, electrical connections, and system commissioning totaled $1,200 beyond the equipment cost.
Final Assessment and Buying Recommendation
After eight months of daily use, this SoftPro whole house catalytic bone char carbon filter has exceeded my expectations despite the rocky start.
The water quality improvements are undeniable and measurable.
Laboratory testing confirms significant contaminant reduction, and the daily living benefits justify the investment for our household. Coffee tastes better, skin feels softer, and cleaning requires fewer chemicals and less effort.
This system works best for households with moderate to severe water quality concerns who prioritize comprehensive filtration over basic chlorine removal. If your municipal water contains fluoride, chloramines, or organic contaminants that standard carbon filters miss, the bone char technology provides solutions that alternatives cannot match.
I would purchase this system again, but with better preparation for installation challenges.
The initial media settling issue taught me valuable lessons about system commissioning and the importance of following all manufacturer procedures, even seemingly minor ones.
For families spending $30 monthly on bottled water or dealing with skin sensitivity from chlorinated water, the SoftPro filter provides excellent value despite the significant upfront investment. The long-term health benefits and convenience improvements make it worthwhile for serious water quality improvement.
Would I recommend it? Yes, with realistic expectations about installation complexity and ongoing maintenance requirements. This isn't a set-and-forget solution, but it delivers professional-grade water treatment that actually works.