Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

by SquareZones | Aug 12, 2021 | Reverse Osmosis (RO) Drinking Water System | 0 comments

FULL VIDEO REVIEW: APEX VS iSpring VS Whirlpool

Authors Review:

In this review, I will be talking about what I feel is currently the Best Reverse Osmosis System, why I am recommending it, how I came to my decision, and providing detailed information on what you need and how to simplify the task.

As you will see it takes a substantial amount of time for an in-depth review (I am not grabbing links and hoping someone buys something, I actually bought the product, tested it, and provided my REAL opinion on it, if you find this useful, please consider supporting me on Youtube and Facebook.

(NOT RECOMMENDED) Whirlpool system: I had the Whirlpool system prior to this, worked well for a number of years, when I went to replace the membrane filter it failed on me and my TDS meter read 380+ ppm. I tried correcting the issue by changing to a whole new set of filters. No luck.
1. If you wish to use the Whirlpool system instead (this is NOT the one I am recommending but is cheaper) you might consider: Whirlpool WHAROS5 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Filtration System With Chrome Faucet
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: 4/10 (it failed on me once I won’t be giving it another chance)
2. Oil Filter Pliers: If you go with the Whirlpool system I would recommend you also order a 12 in Oil Filter Pliers for when you want to change out the membrane filter (middle filter), I could not loosen that up by hand and the Oil Filter Pliers made it a breeze.
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: 10/10
(RECOMMENDED) APEC RO System: Next, I compared the APEC vs the iSPRING system by looking at all the current reviews on Amazon and looking at other blog posts to see what others are saying. In the end, I was of the mindset that APEC seems to have the longer filter life, is made in the USA (California based), is WQA Gold Seal Certified, and they stand behind their product with excellent customer service, I called them twice during my decision-making process and they were quite knowledgable on the subject matter and happy to help. My TDS with this system is between 8 ppm to 16 ppm after my first two flushes (when flushing the system REMEMBER to close the valve going to the refrigerator if you have the APEC Water Systems ICEMAKER-KIT only after a few flushes you open the valve to the icemaker this way you do not get bad ice, I also recommend flushing at the very least 10-12 cups of water at your refrigerator to get the old water out of the lines and check with your TDS meter until satisfied. Once the TDS meter shows you you are at the level you are comfortable, I recommend throwing away your old ice and let the filtration system create new ice for you prior to use.
1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: 10/10
2. The install of my APEC RO System took me around 3 hours but I really took my time and watched the installation videos in great depth and had to run to the hardware store to get an adaptor for a component I wanted to save from my last system since I preferred not to use the supplied drain saddle. APEC did come with a great set of filter pliers so you will NOT need to purchase separate pliers for the membrane filter, this is in direct contrast to the Whirlpool system where you would want to buy a set of Oil Filter Pliers to remove the membrane.
3. (RECOMMENDED) Drain Line Adapter: APEC system came with a drain saddle and if I had to use it I would but I did not want to drill into PVC so I reused my old Drain Line Adapter and the one in this link is already 1/4 in so you do not need an adaptor as I needed for my old component where I needed to go from 1/4 to 3/8 in.
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: ?/10 (I personally did not use this exact adaptor since I used my old one that was supplied with my Wherlpool system so I can not provide a confidence score for this item the reviews are good on Amazon so I suspect it should be fine)
4. (RECOMMENDED) The only part that is a bit challenging is getting the nut on the faucet I recommend ordering these tools (if you do not already have them) to make the job very simple and far less frustrating:
  1. 3/8″ 14m m Deep socket: Remember to NOT overtighten it is only plastic and remember to triple check for leaks EVERYWHERE.
    1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: 10/10
  2. Ratchet Wrench, 3/8-Inch Drive
    1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: 10/10
  3. 3/8″ Extension Bar, 10-Inch
    1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: 10/10
5. (RECOMMENDED) TDS Meter: Highly recommend getting a TDS meter so you can measure the at your tap and also when the RO system is installed, this will also help when you are flushing the system at least 2 times. (By flushing the system I mean let the tank fill up for over 3 hours and then drain it complete using the RO Faucet. Turn OFF your faucet, let the tank build for another 3+ hours, and drain it again. Take a cup of water and check it with the TDS meter. You will also want to do this when you are doing filter replacements. Word of advice: A TDS meter is NOT the be-all, end-all, they do not detect everything and should only be used for some small degree of information, many people on the internet do not like TDS meters. It is no substitute for proper water analysis. I believe Home Depot provides kits where you can send in a sample of your water to a lab to get tested properly.
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: ?/10 (I personally did not use this so I can not provide a confidence score for this item reviews the review and the cost-effectiveness of this TDS meeter are good on Amazon. I had my old TDS meter that worked fine.)
6. (OPTIONAL) APEC Water Systems ICEMAKER-KIT: I recommend attaching your RO system to your refrigerator to have cleaner drinking water.
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: ?/10 (I personally did not use this so I can not provide a confidence score for this item the reviews are good on Amazon so I suspect it should be fine, I had used a flexible steal breaded line in my previous system)
7. (OPTIONAL) PH+ Calcium Carbonate: What I really like about APEC is that it is modular meaning you can add components if you desire to such as a component to add PH+ Calcium Carbonate back into your water AFTER it has been cleaned.
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: ?/10 (I personally did not use this so I can not provide a confidence score for this item the reviews are good on Amazon so I suspect it should be fine)
  2. This will make it a 6 stage, I personally don’t think I need or want this as it appears to last around 6 months (time period will vary based on your drinking habits) but I don’t want to spend around $50 every 6 months but you can give it a try and see if you prefer the tase and if it is worth it to you. Maybe I’ll try it in the future and create a review for it.
8. (OPTIONAL) APEC Water Systems UV Ultra Violet Sterilizer: What I really like about APEC is that it is modular meaning you can add components if you desire to such as a component like an APEC Water Systems UV Ultra Violet Sterilizer.
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: ?/10 (I personally did not use this so I can not provide a confidence score for this item the reviews are only ok on Amazon so you can judge for your self, people did complain about not having sealent and it leaking and they had to buy sealant to correct the problem)
  2. This would make it a 6 or a 7 stage depending on if you chose to also purchase the PH+ Calcium Carbonate mentioned above, I personally did not buy this even though I am on well water, I did not feel I needed this, and I think of this as just another component that can go wrong, not to mention some reviews had mentioned the APEC Water Systems UV Ultra Violet Sterilizer stays on constantly and because of this it initially has some warm water that comes out, I did not wish to deal with it and likely I would not be using it. If you feel you need it then it’s something for you to consider.
  3. Comes in two versions:
    1. APEC Water Systems UV Ultra Violet Sterilizer
      1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: ?/10 (I personally did not use this so I can not provide a confidence score for this item the reviews are only ok on Amazon so you can judge for your self, people did complain about not having sealent and it leaking and they had to buy sealant to correct the problem)
    2. APEC Water Systems Intense Stainless Steel Ultra-Violet Sterilizer
      1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: ?/10 (I personally did not use this so I can not provide a confidence score for this item the reviews are only ok on Amazon so you can judge for your self, people did complain about not having sealent and it leaking and they had to buy sealant to correct the problem)
9. (OPTIONAL – Will likely need at about 12 months) APEC Water Systems Filter-Set US Made Double Capacity Replacement Stage 1-3 for Ultimate Series Reverse Osmosis System: This is the filter replacement that you will likely do around 12 months (milage varies based on usage) at this point you probably won’t need the membrane filter so you likely won’t need the complete set mentioned below. Remember to test your TSD before and after.
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: 10/10
10. (OPTIONAL – Will likely need around 2.5 to 3 years) APEC Water Systems FILTER-MAX90 US Made 90 GPD Complete Replacement Set for Ultimate Series Reverse Osmosis Water Filter: This is the complete replacement set that includes the membrane, but keep in mind that the RO membrane lifespan is up to 3 years (depending on use so your mileage may vary) that means you may choose to get just the
  1. My Confidence Score in recommending this product: 10/10
11. WORD OF CAUTION: TRIPLE CHECK FOR LEAKS right away and in the next few days, I made the mistake of not pushing in the tube far enough so it leaked right away and as soon as I push the tube it was fixed, also when using the Teflon tape (included) wrap it clockwise on the where the tank valve goes and be generous in how much you use, several people complained it leaked there because initially, they did not use enough. I did not have a leak their but I used around 9 to 10 full turns. Don’t drink the water right away, make sure to flush the system at least 2 full times and check with a TDS, I mention above how I flushed the system.

DESCRIPTION from the Manufacture Site:

Healthy, Great Tasting, Ultra-Pure Drinking Water

Right from your kitchen tap! This complete reverse osmosis water filter will produce an unlimited supply of bottled-quality drinking water while removing any chlorine, unpleasant tastes, odors and up to 99% of harmful contaminants to produce clean and refreshing water that everyone will enjoy. This will improve the flavor of coffee, tea, and ice cubes—everything tastes better with RO water! Plus, it comes with a 100% metal & 100% lead-Free luxury designer faucet that sits next to your main faucet and makes your counter-top look great!

Highest Quality & Performance Guaranteed

With two decades of experience in reverse osmosis system design and production, our reverse osmosis systems have been proven to deliver the finest filtration and durability. This gold standard RO system guarantees the highest contaminant removal rates, giving you the purest water possible. Your health will never be compromised with a RO-Hi system.

WQA Certified to the Highest Quality & Performance

Our reverse osmosis system have been tested and proven to deliver the finest filtration and durability. This certification establishes that systems are assembled soundly from safe materials and guarantee the highest contaminant rejection. Your health will never be compromised with an RO-Hi system.

20 Years Experience. Designed, Engineered and Assembled in the USA

APEC has 20 years of successful experience in creating the finest water filtration systems from our California facility. All APEC reverse osmosis systems are designed, engineered, assembled, and tested in-house using high-quality parts to ensure that a trouble-free system arrives at your door. Our superior engineering, design expertise, and attention to details have earned our products the distinction of being the most durable water-filtration systems on the market.

Big 3/8″ Output Design for Faster Water Flow Rate

Upgraded quick dispense design for your RO system will greatly increase water flow rate from the tank to the faucet. The higher water flow will allow you to fill up a glass or pitcher of water 2X faster. Reduces wait time when drawing and filling large pots of water for making soups or beverages.

Double Capacity US Made Filters for 2X Longer Life

RO-Hi uses only top-rated, US-made filters, like the industry leading Dow Filmtec Membrane, resulting in complete water purification not available from basic filters. Our super-capacity filters deliver 2X the capacity AND service life of other brands while the membrane provides the highest rejection capability and durability. Enjoy the longest-lasting performance and low maintenance with these industry-leading filters!

Stringent Quality Control Process = Peace of Mind

Systems are put through a rigorous multi-point quality control process to eliminate even the slightest component imperfections. This system will provide you with the ultimate satisfaction and peace of mind with reliable operation that is free from noises, leaks, and clogs.

Easy Do-It-Yourself Installation & Maintenance

RO-Hi is made with simple installation and maintenance in mind. It is equipped with quick connection fittings and colored tubing, which make system installation and maintenance extremely fast and easy.

PRODUCT DETAILS

References/Honorable Mentions

Amazon reviews for APEC
Reviews and Info on FreeDrinkingWater.com (Manufacture site)
Cleancoolwater.com (used for blog research they have good information when comparing APEC VS iSpring.)

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