Whole House Catalytic Bone Char Carbon Water Filter Review_2

Hi, I'm Paul P. I live in Michigan.
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.
Why I Started Looking for a Whole House Water Filter
Love the fact that I am drinking and bathing with clean water – that's what I wrote in my journal exactly 18 months after installing this system. But let me back up and tell you how I got to that point.
Living in Michigan, I thought our municipal water was decent enough. Sure, there was a slight chlorine smell when I filled a glass from the tap, and occasionally the water tasted a bit off, especially during summer months. My wife Sarah complained about her hair feeling dry after showers, and I noticed our white clothes were starting to look dingy despite using quality detergent.
But the real wake-up call came during a family barbecue last spring.
My brother-in-law, who works in water treatment, took a sip of our tap water and made a face. "You guys are drinking straight chlorine," he said. "And there's probably fluoride in there too, right from the municipal treatment plant." He pulled out a small TDS meter from his pocket – apparently he carries one everywhere – and tested our water right there on the spot.
The reading showed 180 parts per million of total dissolved solids, plus that unmistakable chlorine taste that I'd somehow gotten used to over the years. That's when I realized our family was consuming and bathing in water that was technically "safe" but far from clean.
I started researching that very night, falling down the rabbit hole of water treatment options. The more I learned about municipal water treatment – the chemicals added, the potential contaminants that slip through, the aging infrastructure in our area – the more convinced I became that we needed our own filtration system.
My Research Journey into Water Filtration Technology
I'll be honest – I knew absolutely nothing about water filtration when I started this journey. I thought a simple pitcher filter would solve our problems. Boy, was I wrong.
After weeks of research, I learned that whole house systems fall into several categories: basic sediment filters, carbon block filters, reverse osmosis systems, and more advanced catalytic carbon systems. Each technology targets different contaminants and operates on different principles.
The more I dug into the science, the more I understood that our municipal water contained multiple layers of contamination. First, there's the chlorine and chloramines added during treatment. These chemicals do their job killing bacteria, but they also create disinfection byproducts like trihalomethanes, which aren't great for long-term consumption.
Then there's fluoride, which our city adds at about 0.7 ppm according to their annual water quality report. While the CDC promotes fluoridation, I found enough conflicting research to make me uncomfortable with my entire family consuming it daily, especially my young kids who also get fluoride from their toothpaste.
Standard carbon filters can handle chlorine pretty well, but fluoride removal requires specialized media. That's where bone char carbon came into the picture. I discovered that bone char has been used for water purification for over 100 years and has a unique ability to adsorb fluoride ions.
The catalytic carbon component was equally important. Unlike regular activated carbon, catalytic carbon can break down chloramines (which are increasingly used instead of chlorine) and remove hydrogen sulfide, which explained the occasional "rotten egg" smell I'd noticed.
Flow rate was another crucial consideration. Our household of four uses about 300 gallons per day on average. During peak times – morning showers plus running the dishwasher – we needed a system that could deliver 15-20 gallons per minute without creating pressure drops.
After comparing systems from at least eight different manufacturers, I kept coming back to the SoftPro design. The upflow configuration meant longer contact time with the media, and the automatic backwash system would keep the media bed clean without manual intervention.
Unboxing and First Impressions of the SoftPro System
The system arrived on a Tuesday morning in October, delivered via freight truck to my driveway. The driver called ahead, which I appreciated since the package weighed about 180 pounds top fluoride filter systems on the market total.
Everything came packaged in heavy-duty cardboard with plenty of foam protection. The main tank immediately impressed me with its solid construction. It's a 12-inch diameter fiberglass vessel, about 52 inches tall, with a thick-walled design that felt substantial when I moved it into my basement.
The control valve on top was a Fleck 5600SXT – apparently an industry standard that my plumber later confirmed was "the Cadillac of control valves." It felt heavy and well-machined, with clear digital display and intuitive button layout.
Inside the box, I found the media bags: catalytic carbon and bone char, each properly sealed and labeled with installation dates. The inclusion of both media types in one system was exactly what I was looking for. No need for separate tanks or complicated staging.
The installation manual was surprisingly thorough – 24 pages with clear diagrams and step-by-step photos. It even included a troubleshooting section and maintenance schedule, which gave me confidence that this wasn't a fly-by-night operation.
One small surprise was the bypass valve assembly. It came pre-assembled and ready to install, which saved me a trip to the hardware store for fittings. The quality of the brass fittings and ball valves was noticeably higher than I'd expected at this price point.
Installation Experience and Initial Setup
I'm reasonably handy with basic plumbing, but I decided to hire a local plumber for the installation. Best decision I made in this entire process.
Mike, my plumber, had installed SoftPro systems before and brought all the necessary fittings. He explained that the installation would require cutting into the main water line right after the meter, before the water heater and any other fixtures.
The location we chose was perfect: a corner of my basement near the electrical panel and floor drain. The system needed a 110V outlet for the control valve and access to a drain for the backwash cycles.
Installation took about four hours total. The longest part was waiting for the PVC cement to cure properly. Mike ran new 1-inch copper lines with the bypass valve assembly, ensuring we could isolate the system for maintenance without shutting off water to the entire house.
Loading the media was straightforward but required following the instructions precisely. The bone char went in first as the bottom layer, followed by the catalytic carbon on top. Total media volume was about 1.5 cubic feet, which Mike said was appropriate for our household size and flow requirements.
The initial programming took about 15 minutes. We set the system to backwash every three days initially, which seemed conservative but allowed us to monitor performance during the break-in period. The backwash cycle uses about 60 gallons of water and takes 12 minutes to complete.
First water through the system was slightly cloudy – normal according to the manual as fine carbon particles get flushed out. After running water for about ten minutes, it cleared up completely.
Mike tested the installation for leaks, checked the pressure throughout the house, and walked me through the control panel operation. Total installation cost was $380, which I considered reasonable for professional work and peace of mind.
Performance Testing and Real-World Results
I'm a bit of a data nerd, so I invested in proper testing equipment to monitor the system's performance. The results exceeded my expectations in almost every category.
Before installation, our tap water measured 1.8 ppm chlorine using a digital colorimeter. Post-filtration readings consistently show 0.0 ppm – complete chlorine removal even during peak flow periods. The difference in taste was immediately noticeable.
Fluoride testing required sending samples to a certified lab since home test kits aren't accurate enough. Our municipal supply averages 0.72 ppm fluoride. After filtration, lab results showed 0.08 ppm – a 89% reduction. Not complete elimination, but significant enough to ease my concerns about daily consumption.
The catalytic carbon's performance with chloramines was equally impressive. Our water utility occasionally switches to chloramine treatment during summer months. The system handles this transition seamlessly – no breakthrough, no taste changes.
Flow rate performance exceeded specifications. Even with three showers running simultaneously plus the washing machine filling, I measured 18 GPM at the kitchen tap with only a 2 PSI pressure drop. No more weak showers or slow-filling appliances.
TDS levels dropped from 180 ppm to 165 ppm – not a dramatic change since this isn't a reverse osmosis system, but the reduction represents removal of some dissolved organics and metals. More importantly, the water tastes clean and fresh.
I also tested for pH changes. Our municipal water runs slightly basic at 8.1 pH. Post-filtration readings consistently show 7.8-7.9 pH – a slight reduction that actually brings it closer to neutral.
One unexpected benefit was the reduction in water-related odors. Occasionally our tap water had a musty smell, especially first thing in the morning. That's completely gone now. The water smells clean and neutral.
Bacterial testing through a local lab confirmed the system doesn't harbor bacteria growth. The regular backwash cycles keep the media bed clean and prevent biofilm formation.
Daily Living Impact and Family Benefits
The most noticeable change happened within the first week. Sarah stopped complaining about her hair feeling dry after showers. She's convinced the chlorine removal made the difference, and honestly, my skin feels less irritated too.
Our morning coffee routine transformed completely. I'm not a coffee snob, but even I noticed the improvement. The water tastes clean and neutral, letting the actual coffee flavor come through. We stopped buying bottled water for coffee, which saves us about $15 per week.
Laundry results improved noticeably. Our white clothes look brighter, and colors seem more vibrant. I think the chlorine was gradually bleaching everything, making colors look washed out over time.
The kids adapted immediately. My 8-year-old daughter actually drinks tap water now instead of asking for juice or milk constantly. She says it "doesn't taste like the swimming pool anymore," which was apparently her previous association with our tap water.
Cooking with better water makes a difference too. Pasta water doesn't have that slight chemical taste, and ice cubes are crystal clear instead of cloudy. Small changes, but they add up to a better overall experience.
Even our houseplants seem happier. I water them with filtered tap water now instead of letting tap water sit out overnight to dechlorinate. The philodendron in our living room has been growing like crazy since the switch.
One change I didn't expect was psychological. There's real peace of mind knowing that every glass of water, every shower, every pot of pasta is made with clean, filtered water. It's one less thing to worry about, especially with young kids in the house.
Visitors often comment on the water taste when they're here. My mother-in-law, who's particular about everything, specifically mentioned how good our water tastes during her last visit. That's saying something.
Operating Costs and Maintenance Reality
Ongoing costs are reasonable but worth understanding upfront. The system backwashes every three days, using about 60 gallons each cycle. That's roughly 7,200 gallons per year, which adds about $35 to our annual water bill.
Electricity consumption is minimal. The control valve draws power only during backwash cycles and for the digital display. My Kill-A-Watt meter shows about 2 kWh per month, adding roughly $0.25 to our electric bill.
Media replacement is the main ongoing expense. SoftPro recommends replacing the carbon media every 3-5 years and bone char every 5-7 years, depending on water quality and usage. For our household, that translates to about $180 every four years.
I replace the pre-filter every six months. These cost about $15 each, so $30 per year. The pre-filter catches sediment and extends the life of the main media, so it's worth staying on top of this maintenance.
Salt or chemicals aren't required, which keeps ongoing costs low compared to water softeners. No monthly deliveries, no storage requirements, no measuring or mixing.
Comparing to our previous bottled water purchases, we're saving about $600 annually. We used to buy cases of bottled water for drinking and cooking, plus individual bottles for work and school. The system paid for itself in less than two years just from bottled water savings.
Maintenance tasks are minimal and mostly automated. The backwash cycle runs automatically based on the programmed schedule. I check the pre-filter quarterly and replace it twice yearly. Total hands-on maintenance time is maybe 30 minutes per year.
I keep basic records in a notebook: backwash frequency, pre-filter changes, and any performance testing. This helps me spot trends and optimize the maintenance schedule.
Long-Term Performance and Final Verdict
After 18 months of daily use, the system continues performing exactly as it did during the first month. No degradation in taste, flow rate, or contaminant removal that I can detect.
The control valve has been completely reliable. No error codes, no missed backwash cycles, no programming glitches. It just works quietly in the background, doing its job without requiring attention.
Media life appears to be tracking with manufacturer estimates. Based on my testing, I'll probably replace the catalytic carbon around the three-year mark and bone char around year five. The gradual nature of media exhaustion means performance doesn't suddenly drop off – it's very predictable.
Would I buy this system again? Absolutely. The combination of fluoride and chlorine removal in a single, low-maintenance system hits the sweet spot for our family's needs.
The peace of mind factor can't be overstated. Every glass of water, every shower, every meal prepared with this water feels like a small investment in our family's health. That's worth far more than the $1,200 I spent on the system.
For families dealing with municipal water that tastes or smells of chlorine, or for those concerned about fluoride consumption, this system delivers exactly what it promises. The technology is proven, the construction quality is solid, and the results speak for themselves.
My only regret is not installing it sooner. Those years of drinking chlorinated water and dealing with dry skin after showers were completely unnecessary. This system would have solved those problems from day one.
If you're on the fence about whole house filtration, stop debating and take action. Clean water isn't a luxury – it's a necessity. The SoftPro Catalytic Bone Char system makes it simple, reliable, and affordable to achieve.


