Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead
by Sun Water Systems, Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $67.99 You Save: $17.00 (20%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System with Adjustable Showerhead
Customer Review: Issues
Summary: 3 Stars
I hope this will help anyone who is thinking about this product. I'm a fish tank hobbyest and when I saw this product it fascinated me that Aquasana used the same basic principles for our shower that you would used for a conventional fish tank water filter. I went ahead and purchased it, trying to be as healthy as I can. It worked for about two months then I noticed a significant reduction in water pressure. I contacted customer service and they explained simply that the filter media was defective and they will ship me a new one free of charge. I received and installed the new one and for a time everything was well again. Then the pressure got low once again. Again I contacted customer service and now they explained that because I live in New York City and our water pipe system is "quite old" that there is an abnormally large amount of sediment in our water which will clog the filter pre-maturely. They gave me the next filter discounted (Not by much) and informed me that I need to get a sediment filter, but they didn't provide such a device, so they referred me to another company. A "Pre-Filter, Water Filter" is what they said what I needed. So I gave it shot, then found out that I had to change the "Pre-Filter, Water Filter" media every week, maybe week and a half. I tried to keep up with the maintenance and for about four and a half month the filter lasted. Then the pressure went away again. I tried to remove the media from the shower head but it was stuck. I even put a vice grip to it and a couple of friends try and help with work gloves, nothing. My guess is so much pressure built up inside of basically sealing itself shut. I called customer service again, now the guy actually had the nerve to tell me that if I sign up for their "Water for life six month subscription" that he well send me a new shower head no charge. Mind you it wasn't even a year yet. So as you see, I had some troubles with this product. Good thing it died when it did, I've read reviews that when the filter started clogging that it would pop, crack, or bust open because of the house or building pressure. I wouldn't want my family or I getting injured. I bought the culligan built in shower head and even though I've read reviews that the Culligan doesn't match up to Aquasana it really seems to work. I've already went through one filter, but they weren't kidding when they said "Up to six months". I put it in November 1st and there was no problem until April 1st. LOL. Never give more than you advertise I guess. Hope this helps everyone. I'm posting this same message on the actual filter media.Customer Review: Doesn't leak. Water sweet.
Summary: 4 Stars
I was wary of buying this thing due to other reviews that talked about the leaking. But it also sounded like one of the better filters so I gave it a shot. Maybe I got lucky, but mine doesn't leak. I thought it would leak where my pipe met the unit, especially since the rubber washer down inside the socket I was screwing onto the pipe looked a bit askew. But I followed the directions - hand tightening as much as I could and then giving it an additional quarter turn with pliers. It did fine. No leaks. Then I expected it to leak where the showerhead met the unit. And it acutally did at first. But as another reivewer suggested it, I adjusted it with a wrench as the water was running, so I could see what led to more leaking and what led to less. Now its fine. The real test will be to see if the thing lasts or if the housing ultimately cracks in time as some other reviewers have said.
The directions say you may want to use a bucket to catch the black carbon water that comes out when you first run water through it. I didn't have a bucket and figured it would just rinse away and it did. It's alarming when it first comes out - and definitely do turn it on low-strength at first, because it does come out hard and shoot everywhere. Just close the shower curtain before you run the water. Also it's probably best to leave the showerhead off until you've run all the black water through. Maybe it wouldn't matter but maybe that carbon dust would gunk up the showerhead. Who knows.
I was surprised at the water pressure. I had expected it to be a bit weak, but it's really not. It's perfectly respectable. It may be very slightly less than before I installed the filter, but not by much.
I'm just happy my shower won't get those whitish hard water stains anymore that look like soap scum all over everything, but I was also very pleased with the improvement in the water taste and smell. Where I am, the water tastes like swamp moss and paper mill, totally gross, and right away I noticed that my shower water tasted much better, almost ever so slightly sweet. I don't do a whole lot of drinking of shower water, but maybe I ought to start. Beats the sink stuff. It remains to be seen whether it does anything for my skin and hair, but I suppose my hair may feel slightly softer here on day 3.
I recommend the product and just encourage you to follow the directions re installation to avoid leaks.
Customer Review: Night and Day!
Summary: 4 Stars
If you do a little research, you'll know that the water that is pumped into most homes is filled with all sorts of chemicals. Sure, the chemicals won't harm you outright, but they can still irritate your skin, and contribute to flare ups of various kinds of skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, etc. I personally have very sensitive skin and suffer from dry skin. Ever since I moved 4 years ago to my new house, my skin has steadily gotten worse in terms of dryness and over all health.
After doing a little research, I decided to get the Aquasana AQ-4100 water filter for my shower. From the very first day I used it, I could tell that there was a difference. Before, my skin would literally feel "on fire" after getting out of the shower. I thought back then that it was because of the soap I used. But after using this shower filter, I realize now it was the water! The difference is like night and day. No more does my skin feel irritated. No more does my wife say that my hair feels dry. No more does my skin feel like its burning!
If you are experiencing dry, itchy skin - you might be suffering from the water that's coming out of your shower. The Aquasana AQ-4100 does an excellent job and will most likely help your skin feel a lot better. It won't solve all your skin problems, but it will at least minimize irritation caused by the shower.
Installation was surprisingly easy for me. First, I bought some teflon tape (found in any hardware store, or even the hardware section at your local supermarket - about 2-3 US dollars). I wrapped the threaded part of my shower pipe with this (the part where you screw-in the shower filter). This ensured a completely seamless fit when I screwed-on the shower filter. Once I tightened the filter with a wrench, it was ready to go. That was it - very simple. There was no leaks, it runs perfectly, and the installation took about 10 minutes (most of it was spent reading the short manual).
I admit, this device isn't cheap. In fact, it's one of the more expensive shower filters out there. But, it is a very good product and got excellent reviews from numerous sources. I didn't want to spend less money only to have the product that I may have purchased break on me (cheaper filters are said to have broken after a few months of use.)
Customer Review: Bulky, Pricey...But Works As Advertised
Summary: 4 Stars
Akin to most Amazon products with multiple reviews, there's something to be gleaned both from the positive AND negative feedback. This is certainly one of thosse products.
First things first: the Aquasana Shower Filter does what it promises. Expect noticeably cleaner and fresher water immediately after installation. I've used this in two different states over a 1.5 year-period. In both instances, the natural odor of the local tap water disappeared completely from my shower after installing this filter, likewise the water gunk ring that used to form after a week or two without it.
Related, this is one wonderful showerhead. I'm amazed with all of the filtration going on (alluded to below), such powerful pressure is produced. The multiple setting showerhead is likewise quite user-friendly, rarely -- once every 8-10 months -- requiring a moderate pore cleaning.
The Aquasana Shower Filter, however, is not perfect. This is one expensive solution to shower filtration. Ditto on filters which cost upwards of $35 (minus shipping), only available online (in most instances). It also weighs a ton + is enormous; if you have old or fragile plumbing, this is NOT the filter for you. Related, shower plumbing with minimal distance between the wall and the location of the shower head (<8 inches) might encounter problems with spacing.
Installation is likewise frustrating, requiring trial and error beyond description (for a moderate DIY'er). Getting the filter on without leaking plus the shower head firmly secure to the plumbing requires sufficient patience. Based on feedback from several reviewers, special caution should also be taken not to overtighten the filters to the shower head (to avoid housing unit cracking).
It also takes a hefty number of water gallons to clean the filter's carbon residue upon initial installation. I often thought I could fill the Erie Canal in the amount of water required to completely flush one Aquasana filter.
In sum: the Aquasana filter might be expensive, an installation bugger, and both large and bulky. It does, however, work quite well. My wife and I easily notice the quality loss (in water hardness, softness, odor, ph, chemicals, etc.) every time we shower elsewhere.
Customer Review: So far So Good
Summary: 4 Stars
This review is after a month of daily use of the product. I followed the manufacturers guidelines for installation except for adding white "plumber" tape to the attachments where you screw the pieces together. I highly recommend that you do this to prevent leaks and overtightening. the product out of the box seems very well made and the filter was heavier than expected. Upon flushing the filter during installation make sure you turn on and off your water at least 10x BEFORE you attach the head unit whether you are using the showerhead provided, the wand or your own.
I noticed an immediate difference in the feel, and smell of the water and have largely enjoyed the product thus far. I am not sure that after four weeks of use if there has been any decline in the quality of the filtration but I have noticed a slightly greater skin sensitivity to the water in the last few days as was being experienced prior to the installation. It is hard to determine if this is due to any possible change in the filter or for some other reason. I will continue to monitor this and update a review if necessary.
I recommend that you buy this product and add the tips for installation I noted. I have also purchased the culligan shower filter for another shower and will provide a comparison review after one month of usage.
Side Note- There is a lack of quality studies/tests to support these various claims by manufacturers and would appreciate the support of other amazon customers to require these various manufacturers to prove their claims as well as provide information regarding the features of the product after one months usage or gallons filtered etc. There are too many lists of chemicals and other items included as being filtered but rarely do they note HOW MUCH as well as HOW LONG it lasts. I enjoy the changes I feel from these various filters but I am often left guessing at what is really different in the water after filtration. I post this note out of frustration in trying to find viable products to recommend to my patients as well as having spent a lot of time and money....