Review: AquaOx Whole House Water Filter System
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Aug 4, 2023
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The AquaOx seems like a sophisticated choice when it comes to tank-based whole house water filters, but it comes with a very hefty price tag.
With 5 different filter media types, the system will target many of the water contaminants you might run across. An automatic backwashing head flushes the system every few days, which maintains the system’s effectiveness and increases its lifespan.
Let’s take a closer look at the AquaOx whole house water filter – and see if it merits the expense.
Contents
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AquaOx Whole House Water Filter System |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Media: | Spin-Down Sediment, Garnet, KDF85, Catalytic Carbon, Activated Carbon, Filter AG |
| Filter Life: | 2,000,000-3,000,000 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 15-37 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | – |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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AquaOx Whole House Water Filter System – All Specs
- Model: AquaOx
- Last Price: $3,199.00-$4,799.00
- Filter Media/Process: Spin-Down Sediment Pre-Filter, Garnet, KDF85, Catalytic Carbon, Activated Carbon, Filter AG
- Filter Stages: 6
- Flow Rate: 15-37 gpm
- Filtering Capacity: 2,000,000-3,000,000 gal or 20+ Years
- WxHxD: 10-13″x62-64″x10-13″
- Weight: 115-175 lb.
- Water Temperature: 41-100 °F
- Water Pressure: Up to 100 psi
- Water pH: 6.5-8.5
- Fitting: 1” or 1.25” Male NPT or PVC Glue
- Warranty: 10 Years
AquaOx – Key Features
The AquaOx is a whole house water filter system featuring an impressive selection of filter methods:
- First comes a spin-down sediment pre-filter that traps coarse sediments and other larger solids, protecting all following filter stages from clogging.
- In the main tank, the water first flows through garnet which is another filter media used to trap (smaller) floating particles.
- KDF85 is used to reduce hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, as well as lead, mercury, and other metals in the water. KDF also inhibits bacteria, fungi, and algae from growing inside the tank which is key considering its long usage life (more on this in a bit).
- Catalytic carbon removes chlorine, chloramines, hydrogen sulfide, VOCs, pesticides, etc.
- Coconut-shell activated carbon removes any leftover chlorine and organic contaminants.
- Finally, filter AG is used to trap any remaining suspended matter with the goal to maintain high water flow.
All in all, a wide array of filter media types will provide you with broad-based contaminant removal.
The manufacturer offers the AquaOx in two sizes: Regular and XL.
- The Regular features a flow rate of 15 gallons per minute and can provide water for up to 4 bathrooms. The filter capacity is 2,000,000 gallons.
- The XL features a flow rate of 37 gallons per minute and can provide water for 4.5+ bathrooms. The filter capacity is 3,000,000 gallons. This size is appropriate for large houses and even small commercial buildings.
AquaOx states that their systems will last for 20 years before needing replacement. While this sounds impressive, it’s uncertain whether all filtration media would still be functional after that long.
AquaOx Home Water Filtration System Pros
First off, you can expect a major improvement in your water’s taste and smell, as well as protecting your plumbing system from clogging due to dirt and also extending the life of your household appliances. The AquaOx whole house water filter will ensure you have filtered water coming from every outlet in your home.
In addition, the AquaOx can remove many of the potentially harmful contaminants that are found in our water supplies these days. It will even improve your skin and allow you to breathe easier by removing chlorine from your bath/shower.
The system requires zero maintenance except for flushing the sediment pre-filter periodically. The automatic backwashing head on top of the main filter tank starts a backwashing cycle every few days, which helps maintain flow rates and filtration effectiveness over time. The Vortech tank provides for greater “lift” and “action” through the tank’s width during these backwash cycles, meaning less wastewater.
Speaking of, 2 to 3 million gallons of filter life is exceptional. But it’ll also depend on your water quality if you really get this far.
And, as you might expect with a system like this, a bypass valve comes included for easier installation. This isn’t a major advantage, but it’s nice to see nonetheless.
Finally, there is a 10-year warranty and a 1-year money-back guarantee.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
With all the different filter media types, the AquaOx will remove a wide array of contaminants from your water.
- The sediment filter stages will remove floating particles like dirt, sand, silt, and rust before they can clog the other filter stages.
- KDF media removes chlorine, lead, mercury, and other metals plus inhibits the growth of bacteria, algae, and fungi.
- The catalytic carbon targets chlorine/chloramines, sulfur, VOCs, pesticides, and other organics.
- The activated coconut shell carbon filters any remaining chlorine, VOCs, etc.
- Lastly, the filter AG stage removes suspended solids and turbidity – reducing pressure loss.
The AquaOx – learn more on Purewaterguys.com
Installation
Installation doesn’t really differ from hooking up other whole house water filters. If you have some experience, you can easily do this yourself.
What’s good is that the system comes with a bypass valve included, so you won’t need to source one separately.
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
Tools and materials needed for installation:
- Plumber’s tape
- Pipe cutter or torch
- Hose bib
- Adjustable wrench
- Plumber solder and plumbing flux (for metal pipes)
- Pipe (copper, PVC, or PEX)
- Garden hose
- 2 x cutoffs
Before installing, make sure to locate your main water line, determine the drain line location, and locate a 120-volt electrical outlet to plug in the head unit.
Installation instructions:
- Connect the necessary fittings to the inlet and outlet on the bypass valve, following the directional flow arrows. Only use Teflon tape on the bypass valve.
- Rotate both knobs on the bypass valve in a clockwise direction until fully opened.
- Shut off the home’s main water supply
- Use pipe cutters to sever the main water supply line into the house and fit the first cutoff valve.
- Run a line from the main water line and attach it to the inlet on the bypass valve.
- Connect a hose bib to the line running from the system outlet to the main house line.
- Install a second cutoff valve after the hose bib. Ensure both cutoff valves are turned off.
- Attach a hose to the hose bib and place the other end into a drain or sink.
- Turn the hose bib on. Then, make sure the bypass is in the SERVICE position and turn on the first cutoff valve slowly.
- Fill the system with water slowly so the carbon bed is not disturbed. The water coming from the outlet port will be dirty at first – this is normal and indicates tiny carbon particles are being flushed.
- When the water flowing out of the hose is consistent, turn off the hose bib and first cutoff valve. Then allow the tank to soak for 30 minutes minimum, 45 to 60 minutes is preferred.
- Connect the backwash piping so it flows into the drain line. The line can be drained into a floor drain, utility sink, or standpipe. Install according to your local plumbing code.
- Ensure the hose bib is turned off and the bypass valve is in the IN SERVICE position.
- Turn the first cutoff valve to the ON position. Now you can begin backwashing the system.
- Plug the system into a 120-volt electrical outlet and set the time by depressing and holding the up or the down arrow for 3 seconds. Then push the regeneration button to confirm the time. A spout icon along with the current time will be visible on the display.
- A ‘3’ should flash on the display. This indicates the days until the next scheduled backwash cycle. This frequency be changed later on if you wish.
- Hold down the regeneration button for 3 seconds to start the backwash cycle.
- When backwashing is completed, open the hose bib and let the water flow until clear.
- When the water coming from the hose bib is clear, turn the hose bib off and turn the second cutoff ON.
- That’s it! Your system is now ready to operate.
Video
The Package (Parts)
- Sediment pre-filter
- AquaOx system
- Bypass valve
Maintenance
As the AquaOx system is self-cleaning it requires almost no maintenance for a very long time. The only task required is periodic flushing of the pre-filter when you notice it filling up with sediment.
One of the advantages of a tank-based whole house water filtration system is how little maintenance is required when compared to cartridge-based systems. The AquaOx takes this even further by eliminating the need for pre-filter changes.
Manual
Here are links to the official manuals:
https://www.aquaoxwaterfilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AquaOx-Specification-Sheet.pdf
https://www.aquaoxwaterfilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AquaOx-XL-Specification-Sheet.pdf
NSF and Other Certifications
The system has no NSF certifications as far as we know.
Earlier Product Versions
The system has no earlier product versions as far as we know.
AquaOx Whole House Water Filtration System Cons
The biggest drawback to the AquaOx system is its high price tag. While the system certainly provides a solid level of contaminant removal and a long lifespan, it costs up to a few thousand dollars more than similar whole house water filters sold by other manufacturers.
Another issue we have with the system is its claims regarding filter lifespan. 20 years is an incredibly long time for a water filter to last, and there is a high likelihood that some of the filter media, such as the activated carbon, will long have lost effectiveness after that many years. But of course, this also depends on your water conditions and usage.
What’s more, the manufacturer claims a 20-year lifespan but only provides a 10-year warranty.
Additionally, the lack of NSF certifications on a system that costs this much is concerning. If you’re considering shelling out thousands of dollars on a filter, having it independently tested and certified would improve peace of mind.
AquaOx Review: Our Verdict + Best for
Overall, the AquaOx whole house water filter could make a solid choice for very, very large homes requiring exceptionally high flow rates. The AquaOx XL in particular may even be an option for small apartment complexes or commercial buildings, as the 37 gpm flow rate is super high.
Additionally, with a good mix of filter media, the system is capable of broad contaminant removal which can come in handy especially if you don’t know what exact contaminants you’re dealing with.
That said, the system is very expensive, so unless you have an unlimited budget, you may want to take a look at comparable whole house filter systems from other manufacturers.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
- Purchase Price: 2.5/5.0
- Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Comparison to Other Whole House Water Filters
Let’s take a look at how the AquaOx compares to some of the competitor’s whole house filtration systems.
SpringWell CF |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Media: | 5-Micron Sediment, Catalytic Carbon, KDF |
| Filter Life: | 1,000,000 gal or 6 Years |
| Flow Rate: | 9-20 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$40 |
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Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Kind E-1000 |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Media: | 5-Micron Sediment, Catalytic Carbon Block |
| Filter Life: | 12 Months |
| Flow Rate: | 15 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$145 |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
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AquaOx |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Media: | Spin-Down Sediment, Garnet, KDF85, Catalytic Carbon, Activated Carbon, Filter AG |
| Filter Life: | 2,000,000-3,000,000 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 15-37 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | – |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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First, the SpringWell CF (read the full review here) is another tank-based whole house water filter with a 5-micron sediment pre-filter to remove sand, silt, and more, KDF media to remove chlorine and heavy metals, and catalytic carbon to remove chlorine/chloramine, VOCs, pesticides, and PFAS. In other words, it is very similar to the AquaOx in terms of filtration performance, only that the SpringWell sells for between $1,000 and $1,750 depending on the size selected.
Next, the Kind E-1000 (detailed review here) is a budget-priced 2-stage whole house cartridge filter system. The first stage is a 5-micron sediment filter, while the second stage is a catalytic carbon filter. It retails for about $900, and annual filter replacements cost about $145 per year.
Comparing the AquaOx to the above two systems shows that you can still achieve a high level of contaminant removal at a much lower price point. In addition, both of the above systems feature nothing but catalytic carbon – which is considered more effective than regular activated carbon.
Of course, the AquaOx XL’s flow rate is significantly higher than the Kind’s and all of the Springwell CF versions, but the regular AquaOx features a similar water flow.
Overall, both the SpringWell and the Kind would make a better choice for most users looking for a whole house filter in our opinion, especially when price is a major factor.
More Reviews:
This completes our review of the AquaOx Whole House Water Filter. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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