3M Aqua-Pure Under Sink Water Filter System 3MFF100, Full Flow

First off this is about $100 more than every other filter thats on the market, but they say it'll last for 9-12 months, so once a year replacement is about what I wanted for an under sink filter. I replace a 5 year old 50k gallon filter and you can easily taste the water quality difference, at least I can. I will also likely not use the filter this kit comes with an opt for a cheaper version. $250 for a single filter once a year is insane, there are a few on here that are just under $100 that fit and have similar specifications that I'll likely get instead, unless I can find the OEM filter for substantially cheaper. When I did research before buying people were saying you can buy it at Walmart but who knows. These filters are this price seem like a racket. Install: If you didn't already do so, you need to figure out what size water hose you need, most will be 3/8 and you'll need buy a second one, this can be done at any home Depot or Lowes type store. You're going to need to buy 3/8 Tube OD to 3/8 NPT - male to male. I got it off Amazon, it's a 5 pack but cheaper than two at your local store, so you figure out how that works. You're gana need a roll of fasttape or something similar, two full wraps of this on each thread (clockwise) and then hand tighten into the filter flow device thing. Once you attach the water hoses you'll need pliers to tighten it, it will move the adapter as well, that's fine, just tighten it until you get the center part right against the plastic. Be careful because too much torque will absolutely break the plastic, especially using metal adapters. The three screws they included don't do much in terms of attachment and most people have drywall or sheet rock under their sink, use some kind of anchor. Make sure you measure at least 18 inches from the bottom of the cabinet, you want enough clearance in the future. After I measured with a level I used EZ Ancor stud silver (it's metal) and each one is rated for 50lb. Total overkill but I figure I'll have this under my sink for the foreseeable. Attach the head flow piece with the screws, and installed the filter with a simple turn. It's pretty self explanatory. You have to run the water for a few minutes. I ran it for two minutes and took a glass filled it half way, it was obviously cloudy and turned clear. I kept the water running for another two minutes and checked the water it was clear. Tasted it and it was good to go. Random thoughts: Water flow is fine, plenty of pressure. The taste was obviously different so it's clearly functional, I'll have to check it periodically to see if it changes. It was easy to install so I assume it'll be easy to change. Remember to turn off your water flow before you install and when you replace. When I replace the filter I'll update this review.

Excellent water filter. The filtered water tastes just like bottled water. I can say this because after installation we did a blind taste-test. My wife only drinks bottled water because she hates the taste of tap water, and she thought the water from the filter was the bottled water. Now we don't need to buy bottled water anymore. The filter is NSF certified so performance and specifications can be trusted. As expected, water flow from the sink faucet was reduced a bit since water is now going thru a filter, but it was not reduced significantly from 1.7 to 1.4 gal/min. The water flow is fine. The replacement filter cartridge uses a 1/4-turn quick-connect mechanism so it will be easy to replace in 1 yr (or 6,000 Gal). IMPORTANT INSTALLATION GUIDANCE: The filter is very easy to install. However, DO NOT install it as shown in the Installation Instructions that come with the filter or the 3M video that is found online. They both show Polyethylene Tube (i.e. Plastic Tube) being used to make the water connections, and we initially installed it that way but learned that there are several reasons not to use the tubing: 1) The main reason not to use the plastic tubing is the risk of a major water flood situation. This is because the coupling of the tubes into the compression fittings can be flaky since the tube is just pushed in and compressed. In our installation, one of the tubes popped out after 48 hours. Fortunately we were near the kitchen so we heard the water flow, and were able to quickly shut-off the water. In just a short amount of time, we had water all over the floors. If we hadn't been home, it would have been a major and expensive flooding disaster. 2) Other reasons are that there is a safer, cheaper, and easier way to install the filter. This installation uses standard braided water supply lines connected directly to the filter (see pictures). This is safer because all water connections are screwed-in so they cannot pop out. The installation is cheaper and easier because there are less parts and less connection points. A description of two filter installations with the list of parts required follows. 1st Installation to Faucet (Pictures 1 thru 3): --------------------------------------------------- The first filter was installed to feed a kitchen faucet. Parts required were purchased at HomeDepot: • Qty 2 of Everbilt Lead-Free Compression Adapter 3/8" OD x 3/8" MIP (Model #800669) $4.43/ea (Note: These fittings are used to connect the water supply lines to the filter. The MIP side of the fitting screws into filter head; one for the input and one for the output. You will unscrew and not use the pieces in the 3/8" OD side of the fitting because the supply lines will connect directly to the male end left after unscrewing the pieces). • Qty 1 of Oatey Fast Tape 1/2 in. x 260 in. PTFE Thread Seal Tape (Model #306212) $2.97 (Note: This is the teflon PTFE tape to wrap the 3/8" MIP end of the fitting that screws into filter head to make it leak proof. We wrapped it using 5 loops around. If the MIP connection develops a slow leak, the thing to do is to unscrew it and rewrap it with new PTFE tape and perhaps add one or more loops of tape. Trying to over tighten the fitting connection doesn't fix the leak. If you use the white PTFE tape that is very thin instead of this Oatey tape, you may not be able to stop the leak. We experienced this with one side of the filter, and wasted lots of time redoing it over and over. Online we read about people fixing leaks with higher-quality, thicker PTFE tape. We got the Oatey tape and wrapped it 5 times around the fitting, and it immediately fixed the leak. This tape is color grey). • Qty 1 of BrassCraft 3/8" Comp x 3/8" Comp x 20" Braided Polymer Dishwasher Connector (Model #B1-20DW F) $4.58 (Note: This is the water supply line to connect the filter to the incoming water valve at the wall. Only one water line is needed if you already had a line going from wall to faucet. That existing line will now go from the output of the filter to the faucet). 2nd Installation to Faucet & Ice Maker (Picture 4 with brass Tee-connector): -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We liked the filter so much that we got a second one. This one was installed to feed a faucet and an ice machine so the water needed to be diverted with a tee-connection. The ice machine was far from the sink so had to route a long water line on the back of the cabinets behind the drawers. In addition to the parts and installation done in the first two bullets of the 1st installation above, the following parts were ordered from Amazon: • Qty 1 of BrassCraft GIDDS-131737 Female Compression Tee, 3/8" Od x 3/8" Od x 1/4" Od, Lead Free $5.98 (Note: The 3/8" OD female side of this fitting was connected directly to the Everbilt compression adapter that is screwed to the filter head as described in the first bullet of the 1st installation above (see pic 4). The 3/8" OD male is connected to the water line going to the faucet. The 1/4" OD male is connected to the water line going to the ice maker. Since the two fittings attached together extend a pretty good amount from the filter head, the existing water line going to the faucet was creating strain. We got a longer and more flexible line to eliminate the unwanted strain; see below Fluidmaster B1F30) • Qty 1 of Certified Appliance IM180SS Braided Stainless Steel Ice Maker Connector (15-foot) $13.43 (Note: The ice maker line has 1/4" female compression fittings on both ends. One end hooks to the 1/4" OD in the compression tee, and the other end connects to the ice machine. There are other lengths in the Amazon listing). • Qty 1 of Fluidmaster B6F16 Faucet Connector, Braided Stainless Steel - 3/8" Female Compression Thread x 3/8" Female Compression Thread, 16" Length $4.29 (Note: This is the water supply line to connect the filter to the incoming water valve at the wall. There are other lengths in the Amazon listing. Only one water line is needed if you already had a line going from wall to faucet. That existing line will now go from the output of the filter to the faucet). • Qty 1 of Fluidmaster B1F30 Faucet Connector, Braided Stainless Steel - 3/8" Female Compression Thread x 1/2" I.P. Female Straight Thread, 30" Length $7.51 (Note: New longer line going to faucet to replace existing line).

Ease of installation, and good-tasting clear water. I followed instructions of others who have purchased this product: - use braided 3/8 " dishwasher hoses (2) as connectors to & from water filter - use (2) Everbilt compression adaptors 3/8" OD x 3/8 " in MIP ( you won't need the ferrule or nut) - use (1) Everbilt compression coupling 3/8" OD (you won't need the ferrule or nut) to join one of the dishwasher hoses to the original cold water line to the faucet - use PTFE tape for all joints Make sure the dishwasher hose connectors are both 3/8" "garden hose " connectors - don't get hoses with compression fittings ( ferrule and nut). The second of these dishwasher hoses, connected between the filter outlet and the original cold water line( to the faucet), avoids kinking of the cold water line (to the faucet).

We recently moved into a home where the municipal water treatment left a quite chemically taste to me; the flavor was somewhere in between chlorine pool and new plastic plumbing. The great news is this filter really has eliminated that perception. I did a highly unscientific non-blinded taste test before and after flushing the filter and the difference is very apparent. In contrast, the plumbing of this filter is somewhat frustrating. I was mostly able to follow the highest rated reviewer's suggestion of 3/8 inch MIP to Comp fittings along with a length of 3/8 inch comp to 3/8 inch comp hosing. However, the stores near me only had incredibly long (4 ft or more) sections of this labeled as dishwasher or "universal" hose. Had to order a shorter length online, and Amazon actually had a 16 inch stainless braid that fit my setup nicely. But stainless braid is less flexible than you might personally need.l to avoid kinking. I definitely recommend this 3M filter if you don't mind or even perversely enjoy small/minor plumbing adventures.

Got tired of Sparklettes overcharging and refusal to cancel but I think I finally shook 'em. I looked at the ANSI ratings and this one is ANSI 42 and 53 . Easy to Google search and read to your hearts content. For the real test I filled two glasses . I posted a picture of The Aqua Pure on the left and Camarillo tap water on the right. I used swimming pool test strips . I also asked my teenager with good eyes to look at and taste the samples . He chose the 3M over the tap. The test strips show an approximate range by color change on the tiny squares located on the strip. The second and third squares are for chlorine . Green equals chlorine . The filter removed the chlorine . The 4th square ,the red one is PH level. I'm not sure if its possible but the sample on the left ,the filter sample, seems to show a higher PH level . It also seems a higher alkalinity on the filtered water from the test strip indication. The pressure is easily 2.5 gallons per minute . I hooked up a dedicated faucet just for the filtered water and its very fast filling the coffee pot. This model claims one can hook it up straight to the kitchen sink but we chose to separate the feeds. No leaks at the connection points with threaded fittings and teflon tape. The bracket that holds the filter seems sturdy and easy to install. The water definitely tastes better and looks cleaner. Take the bracket with you to the store to get the right hoses. Not the tank but the tank connection bracket . It's smaller and has all the info a helpful hardware person would need to set you up properly.

(Changed to 5 star rating as it works as advertised. July 4 2016) Would have given 5 stars without so much comment if installation kit was available. Sure, everyone's faucet is different, but why not add one in for most people to use it? We have to buy it anyway. Many filter companies do so nowadays. Installation advice: You need to go to your nearest ACE hardware, and get some advice on how to fit this in. bring along the head unit (not the heavy filter), and also snap a photo of the kitchen sink underneath, so that you don't mix up male and female socket. Best is to close the water valve, unscrew the valve to the faucet, snap a photo with your smartphone of how it looks like from inside, bring that photo along. That way you don't have to go back and forth like I almost did. After installation: Okay here on is 5 STAR rating. NO MORE taste of chlorine. I hate smelling or drinking chlorine, to me drinking chlorine water is like eating McDonalds burgers with the wrapper that comes along it. Can't emphasise how much it is to kill germs in water along the way to the household, but definitely not meant for our body. Lots of filter out there, but it is the ONLY NSF certified, lead and chemical reducing, high speed undersink filter there is for under $200 in the market (I mean... Amazon... haha). It doesn't reduce your ppm much if it your tap water hovers around 150 ppm like mine (it does reduces to 130 ppm- TDS reading), so you gotta really trust what is going on inside is really reduced in lead, and those particulates are harmless minerals that is neutral (even good, in the case of calcium) for the body. That is where the NSF certification comes handy to drink with confidence. High flow speed... well I don't plan to run all 6000 gallon in a month so I put the flow rate kinda slow, but I plan to replace it every six month and use water to wash my dishes, drink from tap, cook food, power my sodastream, and do everything I wanted to do with unlimited amount of bottled water. That, my friends, is called good quality of life.

I'm pregnant and we just bought a new home, built in 1904. The water service line is very old (likely original) and looked like a lead pipe lo and behold, our water tested over EPA limit for lead. Any lead is too much, but its testing at levels 14-18 (EPA limit is 15). Since the home is so old we decided against a whole house filter since there may be old parts elsewhere as well, and instead had this installed under the kitchen sink where we get all of our cooking and most of our drinking water. Since then, we had the water retested (available for free through NYC, check out 311 if in the area) and water is testing for 0 lead. Tastes fantastic also! Obviously at some point we'll have to replace the line, but that's just not in our budget right now. I'll buy more of these for our other sinks, and replace the filters yearly. Its a small price for piece of mind without having to buy all bottled water (even more expensive and so much waste!) Lead only absorbs through ingestion or inhalation, not through the skin, so we are not concerned with shower or tub water.

To ensure successful installation, use brass fittings (refer to the pictures) by attaching an adapter to each end of the filter (both in and out). Additionally, employ two 3/8 in. Compression x 3/8 in. Compression x 20 in. Braided Polymer Dishwasher Supply Lines, each priced at just $5.75 (for both in and out). If necessary, include a coupling to extend an existing 3/8 line. For a secure seal, apply plumber's tape around the brass fittings, wrapping it twice. I recently implemented this setup for my kitchen sink, experiencing a significant improvement in water quality. Impressed, I added another filter under the bathroom sink a day later. The installation is straightforward, with more time likely spent at the hardware store searching for fittings and supply lines than on the actual setup. Additionally, note that the filter is substantial (about the size of a small oxygen tank and built like one), requiring about 17 inches of clearance. It stands independently, eliminating the need for mounting - I left both standing on their own. I hope this information aids in your decision-making process.

Had it installed, works well. Water tastes good

Easy to install, but not so easy to understand what you need if you are a plumbing dummy like myself. Following the advice on other reviews, I ignored the included instructions on how to install it using plastic tubing. This is what I needed to have / to buy from a home renovation store to connect the filter to my kitchen faucet: * Wrench * Power drill or screwdriver * Pen or permanent marker * PTFE tape * Compression adapter 3/8" OD x 3/8" MIP, two of them * Braided stainless steel connector, 3/8" First step is to close the valve from the cold water supply and open the faucet to relieve the pressure (to make sure the pipes are empty). You may then use the wrench to disconnect the flex connector from the faucet to the water supply. Next step is to prepare the filter head assembly. Take the compression adapters, wrap the threads on the Male Iron Pipe (i.e. MIP) end with the PTFE tape to prevent leaks, and then screw the adapters on both ends of the filter head. The result is in the first picture. Tips: The compression adapter must always be "3/8 MIP" at one end, as this is the dimension that screws properly into the filter head. The other end would be whatever fits your pipes/connectors, but for a faucet installation it is normally a 3/8" Outside Diameter (i.e OD). Therefore, in this scenario you need 3/8" OD x 3/8" MIP compression adapters such as the Sioux Chief LFA-123 909-40101601 you see in the picture. You may also notice that we don't need all the small parts included in the bag, just leave the remaining ones aside. You also want to ensure that your adapters are marked "lead-free"; you are installing a filter that removes lead from the water, so obviously you don't want your installation to reinsert lead into your drinking water! Third step is to connect the cold water supply to your filter using the braided stainless steel connector you bought. It goes into the lower connector in the filter head - the one with a small arrow pointing inwards. You may now also connect the existing faucet flex connector to the other end of the filter head (the one with the arrow pointing outwards), or at least check its length to choose a suitable position for the filter under your counter. Tips: These braided stainless steel connectors are normally used to install dishwashers, faucets and ice makers. Make sure that the length is sufficient to reach the position you will put the filter (you might need anything between 20" and 60" or more) and that connections are 3/8" on both ends (the ones for dishwashers often have 1/2" at one end, while the ones for ice makers usually are 1/4" at both ends). Fourth step is to attach the filter head support to the cabinet. Take the head and use a permanent marker to indicate the position for the screws, they come with the filter in a small plastic bag. The two included tiny internal tooth lock washers go between your vertical cabinet surface and the screw head. Don't drive your screws until the head touches the surface, you should leave a gap so you can easily fit them through the keyhole mounting slots in the filter head. If you want a more stable installation, you can finally secure the head using the third screw through the middle lower round mounting hole. Tip: the keyhole mount require some vertical space to work, so don't put the head too high so it doesn't fit under the sink, nor make it too low so the filter cartridge will be hard to remove or replace. Do some tests before tightening the screws to make sure the chosen position works well. Last step, just review all connections to make sure they are tight and secured, and then install the filter cartridge. The second picture shows how the finalized install looks like. Now open the faucet (cold water only), letting it run for at least 2 minutes. I would recommend waiting a bit and then letting the water run again for some extra couple of minutes, as I could still feel some mineral aftertaste in the water after just the 2 minutes recommended by the manufacturer. There you go, abundant, well-filtered cold water right from your kitchen faucet! You will notice that the cold water flow may be slightly slower than the hot water, but the cold water flow is still very reasonable so I'd say that the manufacturer's claim to be a "full flow filtration system" is fairly accurate.

The filter head does not come with the Push-In Fittings at both end (inlet and outlet) and therefore you have to purchase the 2 fittings from https://www.amazon.com/John-Guest-Speedfit-PP011223W-Connector/dp/B003YKF17U.

Easy to install at home, 3M quality you can trusted.

Very satisfied with this water filter. Easy to install.