Whole House Water Filters - Remove Chlorine

[Romer]

I went to Lowes and they have whirlpool systems and I see what you mean about peicing a system together for about $100

I was thinking a clear tube like this culligan

Culligan HF-360 Filter Housing on Sale HF360 - FreshWaterSystems.com

might be better to see the condition of the filter.

Then there are the big blue filters that are larger in width

You guys told me the 20" would be overkill and I should get the 10". I also think you implied the standard filter width as well

Other than that, need a two stage system along with shutoff valves on both sides and a heavy mounting bracket and appropriate fittings. Should I figure out how to put a pressure gauge in as well? This would be to help decide when to change the filters to see the drop on the gauge before you feel the drop in the shower. Just a thought

 

[MOfj40]

The Lowes around here have both the opaque and clear filter housings - clear is about 5 bucks more. Definitely get the clear- much easier to gauge filter life. Be forewarned- you'll be shocked at the amount of crap that comes through your water supply.

a couple split ring hangers (link) and some threaded rod make good mounting brackets.

10" standard width (2.5") is the most readily available and economical size. It will be more than adequate for residential use.

Pressure gauges add on is simple - place a threaded tee before and after the filters then use a bushing to reduce to 1/4 or 3/8 (depending on which size pressure gauge you buy).

 

[Romer]

So how about this setup. I like the gauges on input and output.

You said the smaller 10" filter would be adequate, but is there any advantage to using the "big Blue" like less impact to water pressure?

This Package includes:
> Two (2) Clear Big Blue Filter Housings

> These are high impact/reinforced housings
> One inch inlet and outlet
> With pressure release button

> Two pressure gauges for proper maintenance*
> Two 1 inch ball valves for ease of changing filters**

> One 10 inch by 4 1/2 inch sediment filter
> One 10 inch by 4 1/2 inch carbon filter
> One very heavy duty dual mounting bracket
> One Big Blue filter wrench
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*The first pressure gauge will measure the psi of the incoming water (from the city or your well system). The second gauge will provide a reading of the psi of the water leaving the filter system. The change in the psi on the second gauge will provide you notice when the filters need to be replaced.
_________________________________________________

**Two (2) reinforced heavy duty PVC ball valves (maintenance free and corrosion free) - to be used on both the inlet and the outlet of a whole house water unit. On the inlet side it can be used to shut off the incoming water supply. On the outlet side of the whole house water filter unit it can be used to shut off the back flow of water from the water pipes located at a higher level and thereby avoid a water spill when changing the filter elements. Ball valves are shipped un-installed to avoid unit damage during shipment.

 

[Johnnymiz]

ok, this is what i have. notice the pressure guage on the intake and outflow. 20 inch. pentek rfc20-bb and epm-20bb filters. good pressure in and out. lasts at least 6 months between filters. good water taste and smell. i know nothing about 10 inch systems. this is what was recommended by a pro for me to use. this is the correct pipe routing, so you can cut the flow to the filters to bypass the system without cutting the flow to the house or having to drain the house while you change filters. sprinkler system branches off to the right.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Romer - That system would be ideal. Johnnymiz has the exact same system with bypass and 20". Brand names and type of plumbing fixtures aside, functionally those two systems are the same. Johnny just has twice the filter life given the same water conditions. But 10" filters would be 1/2 the price.........6 of one, half dozen of another. Sam ting.

Is that a system purchased as a unit? Could you get the same pieces from a hardware store cheaper? No sense in lining someone else's pocket if it's not necessary.

 

[MOfj40]

Looks like a decent package if the price is good. The only thing I might change is swap in some bronze ball valves instead of pvc. I'm not a fan of PVC valves, even if the rest of the house is PVC. They tend to stick when cold and break fairly easily when they get old compared to bronze.

 

[Romer]

I was thinking the same think on the valves myself.

Just trying to decide if I want the big blue size filter ir the standard size. Then I will start gathering the pieces.

 

[Romer]

After a lot of research and thinking about it I decided to go with the 10" Big Blue Clear setup. Since the wife is the one that wanted this I went over everything with her and when she heard less water pressure drop with the bigger one, she said lets go with the 20". I told her we probably wouldn't notice the difference, but I know if Momma's happy, everyone is happy.

So I ended up with the 20" clear Big Blue.

I split the input off and ran it directly to the sprinklers ( no sense filtering the sprinkler). I also used the great suggestion above to allow water to flow and bypass the filters.

One thing that didn't come up was how to mount this on the basement wall. Got the concrete mounting bolts at Home Depot and drilled a long time and got very little. Googled and found out I needed a hammer drill. Just upgraded my drills to cordless Makitas, but no hammer mode.

Went to Home Depot and bought the cheap corded $59 hammer drill and bit, and it made the holes in the wall with ease

I had to resweat one pipe and so took the filter off to drain, man taking the filter off makes a mess even with a bucket

Thanks again everyone for your suggestions

 

[Johnnymiz]

Dude, fantastic looking work. that's gonna be great. yeah, those 20 inchers hold a lot of water

 

[Awl_TEQ]

As someone I admire used to say "it looks like you meant to do it". In other words it looks great and should serve you well for years to come.

 

[Romer]

Dude, fantastic looking work. that's gonna be great. yeah, those 20 inchers hold a lot of water

As someone I admire used to say "it looks like you meant to do it". In other words it looks great and should serve you well for years to come.

Thanks Guys

The is happy. I can't believe how much sediment has built up over a week. Guess I never noticed how "textured" my water was.