Hi, I'm Oliver Garrett from Denver, and Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips asked me to share my real-world experience with the SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter (Whole House Catalytic Bone Char Carbon Filter) that I installed in my home.
After eight months of daily use, I can tell you this system has completely transformed our water quality. What started as frustration with chlorine taste and fluoride concerns turned into one of the best home investments we've made.
This detailed review covers everything from my initial research through installation challenges to long-term performance results. I'll share the real costs, unexpected benefits, and honest drawbacks I've discovered during my ownership experience.
The Water Quality Problems That Led Me Here
Living in Denver, our municipal water meets safety standards, but that doesn't mean it tastes good or addresses all health concerns. Have you ever noticed how tap water can taste like a swimming pool?
That chlorine taste was driving our family crazy. Every glass of water, every cup of coffee, even ice cubes carried that distinct chemical flavor. We were spending nearly $60 monthly on bottled water just to avoid the taste.
But the bigger concern was fluoride. After researching potential health impacts and considering our family's specific needs, we decided we wanted control over our fluoride intake rather than consuming it involuntarily through our water supply.
I tested our incoming water and found chlorine levels consistently at 2.8-3.2 PPM and fluoride at 0.9 PPM. While within city standards, these levels were higher than we wanted for long-term consumption.
Did you know that standard carbon filters can't effectively remove fluoride?
That's when I learned about bone char carbon technology and its unique ability to address both chlorine and fluoride simultaneously.
Why I Chose SoftPro's Catalytic Bone Char System
After three weeks of research, I compared technologies from reverse osmosis to standard carbon filtration. Most whole-house systems either tackled chlorine OR fluoride, but rarely both effectively.
The SoftPro system caught my attention because it combines two filtration media: catalytic carbon for chlorine and chloramines, plus bone char carbon specifically for fluoride reduction.
Here's what sold me on this particular system:
The catalytic carbon operates through enhanced adsorption, processing up to 15 GPM flow rate without significant pressure drop. In my testing, I measured only 3 PSI reduction even during peak household usage when multiple fixtures ran simultaneously.
The bone char component uses calcium phosphate structures that specifically attract and bind fluoride molecules. Unlike standard activated carbon, bone char maintains its fluoride removal capacity for approximately 8-12 months depending on usage and incoming fluoride levels.
The system's 1.5 cubic foot capacity handles our household of four with moderate water usage (approximately 220 gallons daily) while maintaining consistent flow pressure to all fixtures.
NSF Standard 42 certification for chlorine reduction and documented fluoride removal testing gave me confidence in the technology's effectiveness.
Installation Experience and Initial Setup
I'll be honest – this isn't a weekend DIY project unless you're comfortable with plumbing modifications. The system requires main line integration, bypass valve installation, and proper pre-filtration.
The unit arrived in excellent packaging with all components secure. At 85 pounds when loaded with media, it's substantial but manageable with assistance.
Pre-installation requirements included:
• 15-amp electrical circuit for control valve
• 3/4-inch main line tie-in location
• Drain access within 20 feet
• 4-foot clearance for maintenance access
I chose professional installation ($450 locally) rather than tackle the main line integration myself. The technician completed installation in 4.5 hours, including bypass valve setup and initial system programming.
What surprised me during startup?
The initial backwash cycle takes nearly Fluoride Filter 45 minutes and uses about 80 gallons of water. The system automatically purges fine particles and conditions the media before first use.
I noticed immediate chlorine taste reduction within hours, but optimal performance developed over the first week as the media fully conditioned.
Real-World Performance After Eight Months
The transformation in water quality exceeded my expectations. Let me share specific results from regular testing:
Chlorine Reduction: From 3.2 PPM incoming to less than 0.1 PPM throughout the house. The swimming pool taste disappeared completely.
Fluoride Levels: Reduced from 0.9 PPM to 0.2-0.3 PPM consistently. This represents approximately 70-75% reduction, which aligns with the technology's capabilities.
Flow Rate Performance: Even after eight months, I measure 12-13 GPM through the system during peak usage. No noticeable pressure reduction at fixtures.
The most dramatic difference shows up in daily life. Coffee tastes dramatically better without chlorine interference. Ice cubes are crystal clear and odor-free. Even my wife noticed her skin feeling less dry after eliminating chlorine from shower water.
Here's something I didn't expect – the catalytic carbon also reduced that metallic taste we occasionally experienced. Apparently, it addresses trace metals alongside chlorine compounds.
Seasonal testing shows consistent performance regardless of temperature variations or city treatment changes during spring runoff periods.
Operating Costs and Maintenance Reality
Let's talk money – because ongoing costs matter as much as initial investment.
Monthly Operating Expenses:
• Electricity: Approximately $3-4 (control valve and monitoring)
• Media replacement: $180 annually for both carbon types
• No salt, chemicals, or frequent consumables required
The media replacement process takes about an hour twice yearly. I replace the catalytic carbon every 6 months and bone char annually, though performance testing could extend these intervals.
What does media replacement involve?
The system isolates using bypass valves, making media swapping straightforward. Each carbon type arrives pre-measured, and clear instructions guide the replacement process.
Compared to our previous $60 monthly bottled water expense, this system pays for itself in approximately 18 months while providing whole-house treatment rather than just drinking water.
Hidden savings include:
• Eliminated bottled water purchases
• Extended coffee maker life (no chlorine corrosion)
• Reduced soap usage (softer water effect)
• Better appliance performance overall
Unexpected Benefits and Daily Life Changes
Beyond addressing chlorine and fluoride, this system delivered benefits I hadn't anticipated:
Cooking and Beverages: Pasta water doesn't smell like chlorine. Tea steeps cleaner without chemical interference. Even simple ice water tastes refreshing rather than off-putting.
Household Effects: Laundry feels softer, and colors seem brighter without chlorine's bleaching effect. Plants respond better to treated water for irrigation.
Health and Comfort: My teenage daughter's skin irritation improved significantly once chlorine was eliminated from shower water. Everyone reports better-tasting water encouraging increased hydration.
Guests consistently comment on water quality. Several neighbors have asked about our system after tasting the difference.
The psychological benefit shouldn't be underestimated – knowing we control our family's fluoride and chlorine exposure provides peace of mind worth the investment alone.
Testing municipal water monthly confirms our system consistently outperforms expectations, maintaining removal efficiency even during city treatment changes or seasonal variations.
Honest Limitations and Considerations
No system is perfect, and this one has limitations worth discussing honestly:
Space Requirements: The system needs substantial installation space. Cramped utility rooms might struggle to accommodate both the filter and necessary clearances.
Flow Rate Limitations: While 15 GPM handles most households, larger families with high simultaneous usage might experience slight pressure reduction during peak times.
Maintenance Commitment: Media replacement twice yearly requires attention and planning. Forgetting replacement gradually degrades performance.
Initial Investment: The upfront cost including installation approaches $2,000, which represents significant initial expense compared to simple carbon filters.
Fluoride Removal Isn't 100%: Expecting complete fluoride elimination leads to disappointment. This system reduces fluoride substantially but doesn't eliminate it entirely.
The control valve occasionally requires manual reset after power outages, though this happens rarely and takes seconds to address.
Temperature sensitivity affects performance – extremely cold incoming water slightly reduces efficiency, though this rarely impacts Denver's moderate climate.
Final Recommendation and Long-Term Outlook
After eight months of ownership, I'd absolutely purchase this system again. The combination of effective chlorine removal and substantial fluoride reduction addresses our primary concerns while delivering unexpected benefits.
This system excels for families who:
• Want whole-house chlorine removal
• Seek substantial fluoride reduction
• Value long-term cost effectiveness over lowest upfront price
• Can accommodate space and installation requirements
• Prefer maintenance simplicity over complex systems
Consider alternatives if you:
• Only need drinking water treatment
• Want 100% fluoride elimination
• Have extremely high flow rate requirements
• Prefer zero-maintenance solutions
The SoftPro Fluoride & Chlorine SUPER Filter delivers exactly what it promises: effective, reliable removal of chlorine and significant fluoride reduction throughout your entire home.
Would I recommend it to others?
Absolutely, with realistic expectations about capabilities and commitment to maintenance. This system transforms daily water quality in ways that justify both initial investment and ongoing attention.
For our Denver household, it's eliminated bottled water dependence while providing peace of mind about long-term fluoride and chlorine exposure. That combination makes it worth every penny invested.