Aqua-Pure Water Filters : by Cuno Inc.

1. Can I install another manufacturers' replacement cartridge in your filter housing?

While some other manufacturers' replacement cartridges may seem to physically fit in our filter housing, the quality and performance will not be the same. Only Aqua-Pure® dirt/rust cartridges are made with a special process called Graded Density to ensure high quality and outperforms other manufacturers' dirt/rust cartridges.

2. I just installed a Reverse Osmosis drinking water system and I'm getting very little water. Is this normal?

In a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system, water is being squeezed through a special membrane. In order to reduce the desired contaminants in your drinking water, the water must flow through this membrane very slowly. For a typical home system, an RO produces about 2-3 drops a second. For this reason, a storage tank is needed with an RO system. It typically takes approximately 3-4 hours to fill the storage tank.

3. How do I know it's time to change my filter?

While usually dependent on the quality of your incoming water, most dirt/rust/sediment filters should last between 6-12 months, or when you notice a pressure drop. This drop in pressure is a sign that your filter is becoming plugged. A chlorine/taste/odor filter should last between 4-6 months, or when you notice a change in your water pressure.

4. Can I use Potassium Chloride in my water softener instead of Sodium Chloride (Salt)?

Yes. Any CUNO water softener may use either Potassium or Sodium Chloride as a re-generant without changing settings. This is of special interest to anyone on a sodium-free or low sodium diet.

5. How do I remove rust and/or iron from my water?

If rust and/or iron is a concern, we recommend that a water test be conducted to determine the appropriate recommendation for your particular condition. In general, rust, also known as Ferric Iron, shows up in water as visible red particles. Depending on the level of rust in the water, a whole house sediment cartridge can work. For higher levels, a backwashing system can work. Iron, also known as Clear Water Iron or Ferrous Iron, can be removed with a water softener or iron removal system.

6. Why do I need a separate faucet for a higher quality drinking water system?

The higher the quality of water, the longer the water must stay in the filter in order to remove the intended contaminants. As a result, the water flow coming out of the filter will be low. Since not all water needs to be filtered, we recommend a separate faucet for drinking and cooking needs if a filter is used for anything beyond a chlorine, taste, and odor filter. For example, a filter designed to reduce chlorine, taste, and odor can typically flow at approximately 1.5 gpm (5.7 lpm). In this case, a dedicated faucet is not necessary. A filter designed to reduce cysts, lead, or chemicals can typically flow at only .5 gpm (1.9 lpm) so a dedicated faucet is desirable.

7. I recently had a water softener installed and the water now feels very different. Can the water be too soft?

Water cannot be too soft. The feel of the higher quality water should be more slippery as the soap glides off your skin instead of plugging your pores.

8. Why does my softened water taste salty?

The lack of hardness in your water is altering the taste of the water. If you find that you want to change the taste of your drinking water to eliminate this taste, we recommend a Reverse Osmosis system.

9. I would like to purify the water for my whole house. Is this what a Reverse Osmosis system is used for?

Purifying water for a whole house using Reverse Osmosis (RO) would be extremely expensive and impractical since you will be purifying utility water. We recommend a Reverse Osmosis system at the kitchen sink to purify your cooking and drinking water since hot water, toilet and laundry water do not need to be purified.

10. Can I change the cartridges myself or should I call a plumber?

CUNO® cartridges are easy to change. Please refer to our Replacement Cartridge section. At the bottom of each system page there is a section called, "How Do I Change the Filter".

11. What is the minimum flow rate for a whole house system?

Minimum flow is approximately 6 gpm (22.7 lpm), depending on individual household needs. The type of cartridge inside the filter determines the flow rate. CUNO offers a wide range of whole house filtration systems that provide all needs such as our AP11T (8 gpm (30.3 lpm) with an AP110 cartridge) to our AP802-1.5 (60 gpm (227.1 lpm) with an AP810-2 cartridge).

12. I need a chlorine removal system for the whole house. What do you recommend?

For a flow rate up to 10 gpm (37.8 lpm), we recommend our AP802 filter with an AP815-2 cartridge. To prolong the life of the cartridge, we also recommend the use of an AP801 filter with an AP810 dirt, rust, sediment cartridge installed prior to the AP802 filter. For flow rates above 10 gpm (37.8 lpm), we recommend our SBW or NBF backwashing filters with A-Media (Carbon).

13. Why can't I use an AP815 jumbo carbon cartridge for whole house taste and odor removal?

The AP815 cartridge is a carbon felt and is rated for only 5 gpm (18.9 lpm). This is not enough flow for use on the main water line.

14. Why doesn't your dirt, rust, sediment filter trap the "sand" (hardness granules) that clogs my faucet aerators?

If you are finding sand-like particles down stream from our filter, a hardness mineral that has precipitated out of the water most likely causes this. We recommend that you have your water tested. You may need a water softener.

15. Why do you recommend a water softener when I need to remove iron or manganese?

Water softeners are designed to soften water by chemically attracting various elements to the resin media. Dissolved iron and manganese are also attracted to the resin and can therefore eliminate up to 2 parts per million of these elements. For levels over 2 parts per million, a dedicated iron/manganese removal system is recommended.

16. Why does water leak from the back of my RO air gap faucet? Is this faucet defective?

Most likely you need to double-check the installation for any blockage due to lodged food or miscellaneous debris:
a.) Make certain the 3/8" black drain line is as straight and/or vertical as possible.
b.) Check for blockage at the drain stand pipe by unscrewing the 3/8" black line that is connected to it. Clear opening to drain stand, making certain 3/8" black tubing is also clear.

17. I get only a cup of water from my RO faucet but the tank is full. Is my system defective?

You lost air pressure in the tank. RO tanks have a bladder in them with an 8 psi (55.2 kPa) air charge. Once all the water is removed from the tank, adjust the pressure to 8 psi (55.2 kPa). This can be done using a bicycle pump or air compressor.

18. Why can't you recommend a filter without asking so many questions?

We have found that most situations are unique to each household and we want to make sure we understand all aspects of your circumstances in order to recommend the best product suited for your needs. For example, the largest system may not be the most efficient system for you and may cost you more money to maintain than necessary.

19. Why do you need to know household information such as the number of people in our home, the number of bathrooms, and pump rate before you can size my treatment system?

All this information is needed so we can determine the proper flow rates needed to keep the system functioning and performing properly.

20. Why is my water cloudy after I install a carbon filter?

Air bubbles that have been formed during the manufacturing process can cause a cloudy appearance. These air bubbles are not harmful and will be easily eliminated with use as the water pushes the air out.

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