Aftermarket Reverse Osmosis filters

[MoneyJohn]

I have APEC ROES-50 reverse osmosis system. I am planning to replace all 5 filters and the cost is around $100 with shipping!! If I get it from Amazon or ebay, its still about $75.

Ebay has a lot of aftermarket filters. Anybody tried any of those and have a comment?

Bonus question,
Anybody aware of at home test to check for certain heavy metals in the water? I don't need the amount, but present or absent. If its present, I can send it for further analysis.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Driz]

Look online. I've gotten all mine there forever. Also how bad is your water? Mine is fine, I just want less of whatever's in there. I changed the film canister twice since 1998. The others I swap out every couple years. I don't use brand specific filters in my prefilters either. I just match .up the filter rating, otherwise they are pretty generic.
If you don't already have that plastic spanner wrench I suggest you get one so you don't bust anything trying to get them loose. That and lube the O ring when it goes back. It takes a couple minutes but really makes removal next time a snap.

 

[MoneyJohn]

Originally Posted by Driz
Look online. I've gotten all mine there forever. Also how bad is your water? Mine is fine, I just want less of whatever's in there. I changed the film canister twice since 1998. The others I swap out every couple years. I don't use brand specific filters in my prefilters either. I just match .up the filter rating, otherwise they are pretty generic.
If you don't already have that plastic spanner wrench I suggest you get one so you don't bust anything trying to get them loose. That and lube the O ring when it goes back. It takes a couple minutes but really makes removal next time a snap.

Same here. Water is fine but Indian point is like next door so we just want less of whatever is in the water. Your water is probably pristine compared to ours.

We have a lot of soil in the water so the first filter clogs up pretty fast. I have not changed 4th 5th yet but other 3 have changed twice due to the soil issue. Now its 2 a little over 2 years so want to replace everything. Its cheap insurance, so don't want to skimp on it (yet don't want to pay like $100 for these filters that are not really a novelty item).

 

[StevieC]

I have a Culligan system and found aftermarket filters. I had the water tested when I went this route and it was just as clean as the Culligan. My main concern is lead in the water because we have super old pipes in the ground.

 

[Rand]

Maybe I'm in the minority but I dont feel

that 100 for 4 filters and an RO membrane is that terrible.

I paid 66$ for 2x the 3 prefilter set. or about 11$ per filter.

I wouldnt change the RO membrane unless your TDS is up.

It should last 3-5 years.

If you want cheaper the biggest one would be to go
with something like
https://www.amazon.com/Membrane-Sol...mp;psc=1&refRID=FHSS503YKR3YAMWN0SQX

vs the apec one. that is around 27$ savings right there.. but who knows the quality.

 

[Al]

We have been buying RO water for like 30+ years. It is now 30 cents per gallon. It starts as Municipal, filtered, carbon filter, RO, and then UV. They have another dispenser that adds ozone if desired.

We use it for all our cooking and drinking.