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I grew up drinking city water all my life and recently bought a house with my wife that has a well. Our water tested fine but I just couldn't handle the taste of it. We hated drinking our water. I decided to give a reverse osmosis filer a try. Bought this from amazon, iSpring RCC7AK 75GPD 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Alkaline Mineral Water Filter System with Brushed Nickel Faucet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Iqxsub17JXMEE
I could not be happier with purchasing this system. I installed it on my basement and ran a line to my fridge and sink for a second faucet. The water tastes like bottled water. The filters aren't super cheap but it's well worth the couple hundred dollars for like 3 years of filters. If you have the ability to install one of these I highly recommend it.
I hear you, I do still add some flavor to my water (lemons, mio, or even fruit flavored green or black tea bags).
I'm not sure how the costco R/O system and this Amazon one compare, but I did some research a while back & if I ever did get an R/O unit, this is the one I would get. (Based on reviews on how the water tastes like bottled water)
This is the system I got. I read a lot of reviews and my brother-in-law had also bought this one 6 months earlier.
Install was very simple. The hardest part would potentially be drilling a hole in your sink if you need an extra hole for the faucet. I had only basic plumbing experience prior to installing it (disconnecting a bathroom sink trap to unclog it and swapping a faucet). The written instructions are very detailed and easy to follow and they also have a very detailed YouTube instructional of every step. It's basically: shut off water valve under your sink, connect Y adapter to split cold water line, connect system tubing together, turn on water valve under sink, pressurize the system to check for leaks, turn off water valve under the sink, connect system to the faucet, turn on water valve under the sink and run the water for 10 minutes to clean the lines, turn off faucet, let tank fill for an hour or two, turn off water to the system and drain the tank, turn on water to the system to fill tank, and enjoy super clean, tasty water.
Actual work would range from 30-60 minutes depending how much space you have to work in, plumbing familiarity, and whether you need to drill a hole in your sink or there is one available already. Then about another 2-4 hours of passive work to clean the lines and tank before it is ready for use. It made for an easy Sunday project while watching football.
I also bought a 15' tube to connect the system to my fridge's ice maker for store bought quality tasting ice and the manufacturer will send you an extra set of filters free if you leave an Amazon review.
I bought mine off Amazon and installed it myself watching Youtube videos. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/
You can certainly take them with you when you move. As far as what your complex allows, I'm not sure on that one since I live in a house. You can get reverse osmosis water from grocery stores too, though. Just buy a 5 gallon jug and water cooler, they have those on amazon or at walmart, and you can fill them up at the grocery store for like a dollar.
I've never owned a water softener, but you can easily install an undersink RO system and connect it to your sink/fridge for $150-$200. Costco always sells one in this range, or you can buy one from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LJ8EXU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bought that a few months back, works great. The sediment filter is clear, and its creepy seeing the crap slowly collect at the bottom of it that came in my drinking water if I had no had this in place..
I got this.
iSpring 6-Stage Superb Taste High... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It’s not what you need, but the brand is a legit one. It works amazing. I’ve installed 5 different RO systems and this was the best. And cheapest!
Something like this would be fine for drinking water and water for washing or cooking food.
I'm looking at this 6 stage that's on sale right now(https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1BX71A03MRV5B&keywords=ispring&qid=1663784045&sprefix=ispring%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-5), similar to some of the APEC ones. What's the difference between 5,6,7 stages? I'm assuming it'll filter more and that'll have to depend on what exactly I want to filter out of my water.
Is there a way to quickly and cheaply test what's in my water?
This is the unit I have under my sink (and was recommended to me by a geology student when I lived in Oklahoma). Easy to install and use. Best part is, you don't actually have to install the faucet on the sink itself, you can just leave it under the sink. This way you only have to pull it out when you want to use it and when you move out, you can keep the unit and not worry about having to fix anything. :)
Also, you can get the filters on Amazon or Lowes. EZ PZ.
I’ve used a few under sink RO systems. I really like this one. Little pricier but it’s worth it and pays itself off vs say bottled water.
This is the one I put in. Not too bad if you’re semi handy. Most difficult part was drilling a hole through the counter top.
take it from these guys, they are absolutely right about leaching minerals out of your body. I was young and dumb and drank strictly RO water and could not for the life of me figure out why I had constant cramps and was pissing like a race horse all day.
RO is great because it removed all the nasty stuff that comes with tap water but you need to put the minerals back in.
I use this one since filters are fairly cheap and easy to obtain. Also the work to replace the filters takes like an our or so, but you only need to do it like once every 3- 6 months, thats not that bad.
Some RO systems only remove contaminants, while others add minerals back in to make it safer for drinking. I recommend this one if you plan on consuming it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LJ8EXU/
That's what I've got. I have a well and the water is perfectly safe, but has an unpleasant taste. This filter cleans it up and re-mineralizes the it for flavor. The water it produces is similar to good bottled water.
Everytime I see flouride mentioned I have to post this. Stop worrying about it and do something about it; especially for your young children.
Installed this reverse osmosis system a few months ago and highly recommend it. Installation took a couple hours and it's been working flawlessly since. I bought a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter and I'm down from about 50 out of the tap to 7 out of the filter.
iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Edit: definitely get one like this that has a final re-mineralization stage to add alkalinity and beneficial minerals back in.
I picked this particular one in part because the replacement filter sets are very reasonably priced.
Installed this system a few months ago and highly recommend it. Installation took a couple hours and it's been working flawlessly since. I bought a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter and I'm down from about 50 out of the tap to 7 out of the filter.
iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I use an I-Spring from Amazon. About $300. I feed softened water to it, then supply the fridge water and ice maker with it. Water tastes great and no hard water to foul up the icemaker. (,,,There is negligible salt in softened water, it is only used to regenerate the resin). My city water pressure in East Arcola is 4 bar or about 60PSI at the meter. You can grab a cheap pressure gauge and add it to a chunk of old garden hose, and then check pressures around your house. Test with and without loads, like sprinklers for the heck of it. Note mine has no booster pump, but I might add one sometime in the future as the fridge water valve will chatter once in a while as the pressure is down to about 15 PSI out of the RO pressure tank right before it kicks in to refill the pressure tank. The booster pump is said to reduce waste water a bit too. Just trying to keep it simple now. It chatters a couple times a week, but I have a 30 ft run of (1/2") pex from furnace room to the fridge. Then a stop valve and 3/8" SS braided hose to fridge. Shorter run may be fine. Right now for ever gallon of filtered water about 5 gallons goes down the drain, which kinda sucks. But we love the great tasting water and drink much more water than before. Ice and water is most common beverage now with meals. I look at it as likely one extra toilet flush a day of water is sent down the sewer. Filters ate easy to change,, I change once per year.
iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified, 6-Stage Superb Taste High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System with Alkaline Remineralization-Natural pH, White https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_MBNG9P5FB7CHK7RMX501?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75 GPD, 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System, pH+ Alkaline Remineralization RO Water Filter System Under Sink, Superb Taste Drinking Water Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_0Z5DJGWBPTEYQN3V47KN This is the one I have, it’s great , I switched out the spout to match my stuff, like I said, super affordable
I would skip the whole house system unless you have a major need for it. Its just a way to pollute freshwater with salt IMO.
You can get a run of the mill RO system lots of places. All will do the same thing as the filters are very similar if not the same. The only difference is the number of filters. I use [this]https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU) 6 stage system, installed 2 years ago ourselves. I also live in a area affected by PFAS. Depending how many people are in the house and how much drinking/cooking water you go through you may want a larger storage tank. My TDS out of tap is ~400. After the remineralization adds some back its about 50 ppm but can drop if the remineralization stage gets exhausted.
iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75 GPD, 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System, pH+ Alkaline Remineralization RO Water Filter System Under Sink, Superb Taste Drinking Water Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_JHFD0WJWPY55Y60BWPG7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 This is the one I got
What are your thoughts on setting up a RO filter system with remineralization for a home coffee station? Would it be effective to sue straight from the tap for pour overs? Something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WS2V8CZ8F57T23KT7M5F
Seems ok.
I bought an undersink one from Amazon last year for drinking water. Has the re-mineralizer cartridge as the last stage. It makes the water taste better and it's actually perfect for freshwater tanks as it has a neutral ph and it adds back the trace minerals the tanks need.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_1KASgasCRLYbt
I just installed this last month after my last system froze and I did the machine water for 7 years. Love the new filter system. Been ft for 12 years now and the differences in water available around the country is outrageous. I swear by my filter systems.
I have a nearly identical version of this but a different brand and its probably the best tasting water I’ve had. Install was very easy, quality parts, fit together wonderfully, and takes up a lot of room under the sink but not too much (disposal and dishwasher hosing didnt present a problem.)
iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified, 6-Stage Superb Taste High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System with Alkaline Remineralization-Natural pH, White https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_EBt8Fb1561PEB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Superb Taste High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System with Alkaline Remineralization-Natural pH, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3BgNFbNA33D2N?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This is what i have, but it may not be for everyone. I think you might be able to get it without the tank and the faucet. But i mean... i didn’t only buy this for my plants to drink. It’s the only water i drink as well. To me tastes like Fiji straight out of the tap.
This is the one that we use in our house. The “delicious” part isn’t an exaggeration either - it’s scrubbed then remineralized and tastes better than any bottled water out there IMO... and I’m a water snob
iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Superb Taste High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System with Alkaline Remineralization-Natural pH, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_61UvFbYJY8XP8
Our water tasted fine to me but my wife wanted a filter so I bought this reverse osmosis system on Amazon warehouse for about $150. It's about the same price as buying replacement Britta filters and I don't have to clean it or remember to fill it up. Also connected a below the counter hot water dispenser to it which is amazing for tea, coffee, and anytime you need really hot water.
Just buy a decent RO system. https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ro+system&qid=1572314662&sr=8-4 It's less than $200, takes less than an hour to install and will pay for it's self many times over.
Great looking system. I have an iSpring 6 stage system. I would've done the UV too but it would have required doing some electrical work, I only have a single plug receptacle for the disposer. I am on a well with a pretty good house unit but wanted something extra at the kitchen sink, I also have a splitter to feed the refrigerator too.
If at all possible get yourself an RO water system. Super easy to install (I am not a plumber by any means and it was easy for me) and it’ll pay for itself in no time, and most importantly of all is so much more convenient than buying and hauling water.
This is the system I use and it takes my tap water from over 550ppm to under 20ppm.
I was surprised my CR-10 didn't come with the clips. I knew they existed and were a thing because my iSpring reverse osmosis setup had a whole bunch of them (and extras!).
We use this iSpring 6-stage system and it's great. It functions perfectly. My only suggestion is to get a MUCH bigger holding tank. We got the 5G one and the bladder takes up 2.5g of it, so we can only make 2.5g every 4-5 hours. If we had.. say, a 75G one, we'd be in much better shape.
We had a similar issue when we moved to charlotte. All the water tastes like a public pool--in our opinion. We had to get a reverse osmosis system. We got this one.
Just to put my two cents in after doing a good bit a research on RO systems I decided on this six stage system https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LJ8EXU/ because it re-introduces calcium and magnesium minerals which are stripped out in the RO process.
You can get it with an optional last stage that puts healthy minerals back in (after it's filtered).
Something like this but 3M brand:
https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU
something like this maybe?
I have the iSpring RCC7AK. I recommend visiting this brand's Amazon Page and choosing which model is best for you.
This is what I use and have helped three friends install them. Great system, SUPER great support from the company. Our water is pretty decent to start with so I replace the "6 month" filters about yearly and the yearly filters every couple years. I strongly recommend the mineral replacement stage on any system; otherwise your body is missing a lot of minerals from the water. RO removes 99.9% of everything, good or bad.
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The price has gone up a lot, but still worth it.
I installed this system 6 months ago and highly recommend it. Reverse osmosis so you get rid of everything (the flouride was what I was shooting for) and a re-mineralization final stage for great taste.
I added a T fitting so I could run a line behind the cupboards to the fridge. Save some money and pick that up at home depot for $5 instead of ordering their $30 kit from Amazon.
Linky: iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Pic: pic
Yea for sure. Im on well water just outside chicago so our water is so-so. I have all sorts of iron cleaners and filters but the main one that matters is the ro. Ive had a few systems before and based on filter cost and overall cost im loving and have this unit:
https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=sxts\_rp\_s\_2\_0?content-id=amzn1.sym.0ba0477a-40ed-4e81-ad3d-4795b0f9f147%3Aamzn1.sym.0ba0477a-40ed-4e81-ad3d-4795b0f9f147&crid=30GCMEHOHZ2ZN&cv\_...
they also have one w/ a uv light filter built in.
https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-UV-Filtration-Remineralization-Sterilizer/dp/B006T3HYQ0/ref=sr\_1\_16?crid=30GCMEHOHZ2ZN&keywords=ispring+ro&qid=1655176929&sprefix=ispring+ro%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-16
I just installed this system a couple weeks ago, very happy with it so far:
iSpring RCC7AK, NSF Certified 75... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I've installed this RO system (or sometimes the 5 stage, never the 7, though have regretted not having the UV a couple times) in a bunch of apartments and houses. Always just wind up leaving the thing - I think one time the apartment complex charged us a $30 fee for leaving it:
https://smile.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU/
It's a life changer - definitely do it.
It comes out like that because of the Alkaline filter that adds minerals back in. it's advertised like that. Here is what I purchased
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LJ8EXU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have something similar to OP, here is the link:
https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU
I have the ispring 6 stage reverse osmosis with alkaline remineralization. I really like it and I think it was reasonably priced for an RO system. Had to have a plumber install it because we found a leak when we went to install it, but someone handy could certainly install it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LJ8EXU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
the water in south eg seems very hard, we have something like this installed under the sink for drinking water. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LJ8EXU
I use a iSpring RCC7AK. You can find it on Amazon for about $200: https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU
It takes my ~600 TDP softened well water down to 100 TDP and tastes great. I have it direct plumed to my ECM machine and it provides a steady 2 bars of pressure.
Reverse osmosis System if you wish to remove all particulates https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU/
RO plus mineralization can be had for about $200: https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU
This is what I use and it works well.
To brew good quality coffee, you need clean water with some minerals. My choice is a good under sink or countertop reverse osmosis filter with a calcium cartridge.
Reverse osmosis filters out almost all the contaminants out of the water and gives you fresh, clean water. However, the downside is that it filters healthy minerals out as well, which results in water being slightly acidic. Specialty Coffee Association of America recommends a target pH of 7.0 and 4 grains of calcium hardness for your ideal cup of coffee.
So, we need a ro system with a pH neutralizing calcium filter at the end. They are also called alkaline ro systems.
Here are some good systems in the market.
Regular carbon based faucet mount filters and pitcher filters like your Brita are good at removing chlorine, but a ro system goes several steps further to reduce other contaminants such as heavy metals, chloramine, organics...etc. I'm pretty sure your boiler at work, has a internal reverse osmosis filter that purifies it. Let me know your thoughts.
This 6 stage is amazing, the reviews are basically gold. Plants love it and it tastes like the best water I've ever had.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJ8EXU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_K33bBbMMTMYHV
I don't need a video about the basics of water purity. I'm aware that impurities in water are what makes it fully stable but RO systems don't do this. In fact most consumer grade systems have remineralization to prevent the issues that come from filtering too much.
https://www.home-water-purifiers-and-filters.com/reverse-osmosis-filter.php
Look at the asterisk. Yeah, some viruses or bacteria can be, yet industry wide RO systems tell you not to rely on your filter alone for bacteria or viruses and there's probably a good reason for that. Like being sued or killing people. The FDA article specifically talks about use in hospitals or in patients with immune suppression issues. I'm going to take the industry's word and the FDA's word on the fact that RO systems don't filter out all bacteria and viruses and shouldn't be considered a method of killing microbes in water.
Back to remineralization:
https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7AK-Capacity-Drinking-Remineralization/dp/B005LJ8EXU
This one does it.
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Master-TMAFC-ERP-Artesian-Undersink/dp/B00N2941T2
This one does it via water softener methods(calcium and potassium chloride)
https://www.amazon.com/APEC-Alkaline-Drinking-Water-ROES-PH75/dp/B00NWZ1RCK
Adds calcium.
https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-5-Stage-Prestige-Drinking-Certified/dp/B003XELTTG
Has an attached water softener aka adds minerals back in the water.
These are the most common home units on Amazon, so my guess is that a lot of folks have something similar and all of them add some mineral back in post-filtration. You know why? Distilled water isn't good for us in the reasons mentioned in the video you linked.
That doesn't in any way mean that the average consumer RO system is somehow unhealthy or 'bad water' because the systems by design add back to the water post filtration. You are not drinking 100% pure water and if your TDS is that low my guess is your water softener/remineralizer is probably not working. That doesn't make all RO filtered water unsafe. It makes your RO filtered water unsafe.