randomwalk
New Member
I'm interested in a carbon filter ahead of my softener mainly to protect the resin from chlorine / chloramine, with the added benefit of generally better water. I live in San Jose and the chlorine level in my city water is not super high (1.53 ppm on average according to the water quality report).
I'm getting conflicting suggestions. One local (and seemingly knowledgeable) dealer recommends against a 1.0 cubic ft. backwash catalytic carbon filter because:
(1) higher initial cost, and would be expensive to change the carbon after 3 to 7 years.
(2) uses a lot more water due to the need to backwash (water is not cheap in my area)
(3) not very effective because a 1.0 cubic ft. filter can only have about 4 to 5 gpm flow rate if you want effective filtering.
I cannot fit a bigger backwash filter than 1.0 cubic ft. due to space limitations.
Instead, he recommends a Big Blue 20" cartridge carbon filter (he said I can buy a higher quality filter online) because:
(1) lower initial cost and lower ongoing cost (annual cartridge vs. rebedding the backwash filter)
(2) higher flow rate
(3) no need electricity or water cost to backwash.
He seems to think the Big Blue would be effective (enough?) for my situation.
Let me just add that he is not trying to sell me either carbon filters. In fact, he says I can buy my own Big Blue online for less than he'll sell it to me, then I'll just pay a small amount for him to install it (along with a softener). He also does not normally carry backwash carbon filter as he does not believe in it, but he can order one or I can buy my own, and he'll install it (along with a softener). So he's not trying to make any money off of his recommendation for Big Blue. This guy's father literally lives in my neighborhood so has very local knowledge.
What do forum members think? It seems people on the forum seem to not like Big Blue, but would like to understand the pros and cons. Thanks!
I'm getting conflicting suggestions. One local (and seemingly knowledgeable) dealer recommends against a 1.0 cubic ft. backwash catalytic carbon filter because:
(1) higher initial cost, and would be expensive to change the carbon after 3 to 7 years.
(2) uses a lot more water due to the need to backwash (water is not cheap in my area)
(3) not very effective because a 1.0 cubic ft. filter can only have about 4 to 5 gpm flow rate if you want effective filtering.
I cannot fit a bigger backwash filter than 1.0 cubic ft. due to space limitations.
Instead, he recommends a Big Blue 20" cartridge carbon filter (he said I can buy a higher quality filter online) because:
(1) lower initial cost and lower ongoing cost (annual cartridge vs. rebedding the backwash filter)
(2) higher flow rate
(3) no need electricity or water cost to backwash.
He seems to think the Big Blue would be effective (enough?) for my situation.
Let me just add that he is not trying to sell me either carbon filters. In fact, he says I can buy my own Big Blue online for less than he'll sell it to me, then I'll just pay a small amount for him to install it (along with a softener). He also does not normally carry backwash carbon filter as he does not believe in it, but he can order one or I can buy my own, and he'll install it (along with a softener). So he's not trying to make any money off of his recommendation for Big Blue. This guy's father literally lives in my neighborhood so has very local knowledge.
What do forum members think? It seems people on the forum seem to not like Big Blue, but would like to understand the pros and cons. Thanks!