Does anyone use one, I been researching them for a while and it seems that multi pure is the best out there, but damn the are expensive. Close to $500

I have a two stage filter system.  It worked well.  I say worked because I can't get filters for it anymore, bought it 15 years ago.  The first stage was a large particle filter made of cloth and the second was charcoal/carbon.  It got all the nasty stuff out.  HD has similar two stage systems under $200.   

I run an industry standard 10" single filter under-sink unit with a Doulton Ultracarb OBE ceramic filter. It offers .5um mechanical filtering combined with activated carbon and an ion exchange membrane for both chemical and heavy metals removal. I replace it twice a year (its rated for 600 gallons).

 

Ceramic is nice because you can even clean the outer surface of the element with a green scrubbing pad if it gets clogged prematurely, or to restore better flow halfway through its life. If you have lots of sediment or particles in your water, running a sediment pre-filter would be best.

 

You can also go multi-element , like sediment, carbon, and then sub-micron for the last stage.These setups will usually last much longer between filter changes. Add to that its almost always the sediment and carbon that would need more frequent changing then the sub-micron.

 

I went with an ebay 10" filter housing and faucet, and added my own cartridge. Tremendous cost savings over some of the branded items.

The only one worth getting that actually does anything is an RO (reverse osmosis). Anything else is just a carbon filter. They make sewage taste good but really do little for removing harmful contaminants like lead.

You can get reverse osmosis systems at Lowes.  They have one under $200, although I think the Krystal unit, at $235 is probably worth the extra money.

The only one worth getting that actually does anything is an RO (reverse osmosis). Anything else is just a carbon filter. They make sewage taste good but really do little for removing harmful contaminants like lead.

 

Sure RO is going to be the most effective, but I disagree that anything else is "just a carbon filter". Example I gave uses an ion exchange membrane stage that is capable of reducing lead in drinking water. Non-RO cartridge systems are also effective for removing biological contaminants like bacteria and spores.

 

My original reply I gave should have been less about what I use, and more about letting the OP know that his best bet is to get his tap water tested, then apply the proper technology to fix the problems that the results provide.

 

If my tap was full of lead, I'd be going RO in a heartbeat. Since its not, I stick with my multistage element that also incorporates the ion exchange for reduction of what trace amounts are there.

Sure RO is going to be the most effective, but I disagree that anything else is "just a carbon filter". Example I gave uses an ion exchange membrane stage that is capable of reducing lead in drinking water. Non-RO cartridge systems are also effective for removing biological contaminants like bacteria and spores.

 

My original reply I gave should have been less about what I use, and more about letting the OP know that his best bet is to get his tap water tested, then apply the proper technology to fix the problems that the results provide.

 

If my tap was full of lead, I'd be going RO in a heartbeat. Since its not, I stick with my multistage element that also incorporates the ion exchange for reduction of what trace amounts are there.

An ion exchange is effective for some undesolved solids true. But without a way to clean and discharge after a certain amount of flow they become ineffective quickly. A water softner is an ion exchange. But unlike a cartridge filter, a softner will clean (with salt brine) and re-fluf the media bed every x-amount of gallons of water that pass through the head. Then expell the unwanted solids into a drain with the salt brine discharge. RO systems work similarly, discharging the unwanted items into a drain keeping the membranes clean for about a year before they need replacing.

 

The best/most effective method for killing bacteria in domestic water is with an ultraviolet light. And is what the federal safe water drinking act guidelines require, where we encounter bacterial issues.

 

I will say something is better than nothing, if you're happy with the results your filter is providing then cool.

 

But my professional advice is don't guess your problems and buy whatever you think will work. Have a proper water test done and treat the problem with the correct equipment. I agree with you 100% on that.

 

I agree that a static ion exchange media will become ineffective more quickly then other systems, this is why the particular filter that I utilize only has a 600 gallon lifespan while the non-ion exchange version is rated up to 2000 gallons.

 

RO is definitely king, the scorched earth of water filtration. It's also good to mention that they come with a price of water wastage of a ~1:4 good:flush-waste gallons. I'd definitely be OK with that if my water test came back full of industrial wastes and/or heavy metals in high concentrations, but to remove some rust, small particulates, and chlorination byproducts would be overkill in my opinion.

I agree that a static ion exchange media will become ineffective more quickly then other systems, this is why the particular filter that I utilize only has a 600 gallon lifespan while the non-ion exchange version is rated up to 2000 gallons.

 

RO is definitely king, the scorched earth of water filtration. It's also good to mention that they come with a price of water wastage of a ~1:4 good:flush-waste gallons. I'd definitely be OK with that if my water test came back full of industrial wastes and/or heavy metals in high concentrations, but to remove some rust, small particulates, and chlorination byproducts would be overkill in my opinion.

If you have city water it's a whole different animal, it's already filtered for sediments. And treated daily for bacterial groth. Although things can be picked up between the treatment facility and your faucet. Removing the chlorine is a good idea for sure. Also true that an RO will waste water. Some towns actually have ordinances against using them due to water waste. Now with a well, who knows what's in the water? No one is checking it at a plant on a daily basis for bacterial growth. Best plan in my opinion is something that gets everything out. People get the water tested when they first buy the house, then think it's going to be ok forever. But it can change at anytime and no one would ever know. Good example is when the neighbors septic backs up, because they don't maintain it. Your water takes the hit. & you believe in your mind it's fine because a decade ago when you bought your house "the water tested fine". It happens often.

Yea, well is another story. RO all the way, especially since you aren't paying a metered water bill. I have a friend on well who still buys bottled water for drinking due to fears of contamination. He seems to not be able to wrap his head around how RO will be able to handle anything that gets pumped up.

Yea, well is another story. RO all the way, especially since you aren't paying a metered water bill. I have a friend on well who still buys bottled water for drinking due to fears of contamination. He seems to not be able to wrap his head around how RO will be able to handle anything that gets pumped up.

Yeah they take out 98%-99% of all contaminants. A good quality small under counter RO can be had for around $500. Yeah I know Lowe's an home Depot sell $200 units as well. But you get what you pay for. A whole house RO system is insane price wise. And there's no way I'm flushing my toilet, washing the car, or watering the lawn with RO water, that's just crazy to me. But people do it.

 

I believe the city of Miami makes 10% of their domestic water from a huge industrial scale RO plant, from sea water. It's a pretty cool system, desalination at its finest.

 

http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xweb - release 3 water supply/desalination

 

I'm tired of talking about work here. Let's talk gun's!

 

Yeah they take out 98%-99% of all contaminants. A good quality small under counter RO can be had for around $500. Yeah I know Lowe's an home Depot sell $200 units as well. But you get what you pay for. A whole house RO system is insane price wise. And there's no way I'm flushing my toilet, washing the car, or watering the lawn with RO water, that's just crazy to me. But people do it.

 

I believe the city of Miami makes 10% of their domestic water from a huge industrial scale RO plant, from sea water. It's a pretty cool system, desalination at its best.

 

Desalination plants, very cool but very pricey to operate compared to free water from the ground. But if there isn't enough fresh water, civilization has to do what it has to do. I imagine California will start expanding their desalination capacity out of necessity. They've already started for the most part http://www.dailynews.com/environment-and-nature/20140615/nations-largest-desalination-plant-looking-to-provide-drought-proof-water-supply-to-southern-california

 

Another thing to consider is that RO also removes trace minerals from the water. For the most part, not a big deal in 1st world countries as we get most of what we need from our food. I can atest that it can cause problems, as I lived on all RO water on an island in the pacific for 2 weeks with a fairly minimal diet. By 1.5 weeks, I was not feeling right. Light headed/brain fog, general weirdness. The medical person gave me a packet of what amounts to a massive amounts of electrolytes in powder form and was told to drink it. It did the trick. He told me without taking supplements or the proper diet with minerals like veggies and stuff, your body relies on fluid intake for minerals. With RO, they just weren't there.

Desalination plants, very cool but very pricey to operate compared to free water from the ground. But if there isn't enough fresh water, civilization has to do what it has to do. I imagine California will start expanding their desalination capacity out of necessity. They've already started for the most part http://www.dailynews.com/environment-and-nature/20140615/nations-largest-desalination-plant-looking-to-provide-drought-proof-water-supply-to-southern-california

 

Another thing to consider is that RO also removes trace minerals from the water. For the most part, not a big deal in 1st world countries as we get most of what we need from our food. I can atest that it can cause problems, as I lived on all RO water on an island in the pacific for 2 weeks with a fairly minimal diet. By 1.5 weeks, I was not feeling right. Light headed/brain fog, general weirdness. The medical person gave me a packet of what amounts to a massive amounts of electrolytes in powder form and was told to drink it. It did the trick. He told me without taking supplements or the proper diet with minerals like veggies and stuff, your body relies on fluid intake for minerals. With RO, they just weren't there.

This is true. It strips everything from the water. You can't live on it solely.

 

In south Florida the issue with the ground water is that it's also brackish.

 

In southern California they decided to populate a desert. If they didn't bring the water to the area from Miles and miles away people wouldn't be there. I honestly wouldn't have a problem with that part of our country being re claimed by the ocean lol...

I ended up going with a multipure 750sb, undercounter system.

If all you wanted was a carbon filter, you could have saved a ton of money, and just bought a Brita......

If all you wanted was a carbon filter, you could have saved a ton of money, and just bought a Brita......

Or bought any filter housing, and drop in a carbon element. And do the whole house. Cheapest way to go.

 

I use Filtrete Under-Sink Advanced Water Filtration System from 3M for many years. Works just fine and easy to maintain.