5 stars for this puppy. In fact, if you buy this, open the box and look through instructions and graphics. The first thing you think, "This is how instructions should be written." At first, it may seem over whelming if you're not a handy man. Look at the pieces and the graphics, slowly. Start to think. Close you're eyes. Relax. You are a plumber. Say it out loud. "I am a plumber." Now, open your eyes and get to work. If you have to do this again, you could do it in an hour. One note. This is best installed with a new sink installation. You could take out your sink, that was too much for me. Or, like I did, leave the sink and disposal installed. It's cramped working like that, but, doable. My sink precluded me from installing through the sink itself. And, on one side was the dishwasher. So, I removed a drawer and installed the spigot on the other side. We lost a drawer, but well worth it. And, yes, there is a small gap on the filter enclosures, when the filters are installed. Approx 1/16 inch.
Seems to have covered most things well. I would suggest reference of the membrane filter wrench to remove/install the cap. I also didn't see any mention of o-ring inspection for stage 1-3 and proper use of the silicone grease upon re-install.
LOL it's crazy the instructions say to lubricate the Stage-4 double o-rings, but no mention of what to use. Additionally, they need to include a little packet of the recommended silicone grease with the filter.
What maintenance is recommended for these systems as far as periodic flushing? Is there any indication that the filters need replacement from a performance standpoint, or is it just supposed to be done on a time basis, regardless of the amount of water filtered and the quality of the tap water?
Thank you for contacting APEC Water Systems. If you are using an Ultimate 5-Stage RO system, we recommend just following the replacement schedule for filters as maintenance. The recommended time frame for replacing the stages 1 to 3 filters is every year. We do not recommend replacing the filters based on the amount of water being filtered as it also depends on the quality of the water. However, some customers are replacing the pre-filters based on the amount of water they are getting from the system, for example, if the customer is normally able to get 2 to 3 gallons of water and then one day the pressure gradually decreases after a few seconds of turning on the faucet (only able to get a cup or 2 of water) and the tank is empty, that means either of the 3 filters or all of them are clogged and need to be replaced. Regarding the stages 4 and 5 filters (every 3 to 5 years), to help you determine if the filters need to be replaced, you may use a TDS meter to test your water quality before and after the RO system. For details, kindly visit www.freedrinkingwater.com/tds-meter.htm and there is a link below for a tutorial video on how to use it. ruclips.net/video/6IK0dhZZPsE/видео.html If you are referring to a different APEC filtration system, please provide us with more details.
I figured out it is a threaded connection. I shut off the water going into the filter. I opened up the stage one filter to drain the water, disconnected the red line, unscrewed the 90° elbow and wrapped it with teflon tape. I reconnected everything and turned the water back on. No leaks at this time.
I cannot get the membrane cap to come off!! I read in one of the comments that another had the same problem, and was recommended to soak the cap in hot vinegar water.. but the ratio of vinegar to water was not given. ..Any one have an answer? Thanks!!
I know I had a super hard time w/ the first 3 housings and finally got them open with instructions TIP that came in the box with filter order - it said IF THE HOUSING IS TOO TIGHT, USE A HAMMER AND GENTLY TAP ON THE WRECH HANDLE TO HELP TURN THE WRENCH, it worked but I also put the unit on the floor and bought a Strap Wrench for those 3 suckers, NOW I have that darn MEMBRANE CAP to still try to open, but Ill wait because I still have like another year to change it. Hope this helps.
This may be a moot question since I live in limestone country, but can I add the PH cartridge (with the necessary extra tubing and fittings) to my 5-stage ROES-75 system to convert it to a 6-stage system? I purchased the replacement kit for the 6-stage since it was less expensive than the 5-stage kit and verified that all of the cartridges were identical sans the extra PH cartridge.
Dear Curt, Thank you for contacting APEC Water Systems and I am happy to help. Yes you can easily add a stage 6 pH filter cartridge to your ROES-75 system using our Phpluskit-14. Please kindly visit www.freedrinkingwater.com/calcite-acidic-water-neutralizer-10-filter-kit-1-4-quick-connect.htm
So I replaced all 5 filters. When I was done, I turned on the ball valve on the tank. The faucet was still on and a bunch of black stuff came out....is that normal?
Dear valued customer, yes this is normal as new stage 5 filter is carbon so when it is new, it requires to be flushed before use this is carbon powder.
Thanks for your message. You will need to first turn off the cold water to the system at the sink faucet or at the feed water needle valve clockwise following our filter change instructions. Afterwards, please turn off the blue tank ball valve on top of the water storage tank and turn on the drinking faucet to properly change the filters with the system out of the cabinet. Thanks.
Dear Valued Customer, please kindly see the attached RO diagrams for your ROES-50 systems. For o-ring lubrication, we recommend using food grade o-ring lubricant like the one we carry below or you can also use Vaseline or cooking oil. www.freedrinkingwater.com/food-grade-lubricant-protects-and-seals-o-ring-to-prevent-leaks-6gram.htm
Dear Valued Customer, we do carry the bottom stages 1-3 filter housings for our RO systems wrench on our website please kindly see below. Thanks. www.freedrinkingwater.com/wrench-half.htm
When I install the 3 filter covers, first hand tight, then, with the wrench, there is a 1/16 inch gap at the top. I would really have to force this, to close the gap. The o-rings and the filters are in the cover. Gap? yes or no
What could be the reason for water coming from filter with pressure even after following changing instructions?First closed water shut off valve and then closed valve on tank and open the fauchet.
Dear Valued customer, This would indicate your cold supply water connected to the Reverse osmosis system is not properly turned off. Best regards, Ken APEC Customer service
If you are only replacing stage 1,2,3 and 6, do you not need to flush the system? It’s confusing as it says “flushing the system is not need at this time” after 1-3. But at the end of the video after 4 and 5 are replaced the system is flushed. Does it mean it’s not needed to flush until after 4 and 5 are done or just not needed at all for just 1-3?
Hello, If your stage 6 is the calcium carbonate pH filter then after changing out 1,2,3 and 6 we do recommend you flush one tank of water through before using it. If only changing out the stages 1,2,3 no flushing would be needed. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us directly by calling 1-800-880-4808 or e-mailing us at info@apecwater.com. We are in the office from Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:30pm PST. Best Regards, APEC Support Team
@@freedrinkingwater I'm assuming that the "calcium carbonate" and "remineralization" Stage-6 PH filters are different? My Stage-6 FI-ES-PHPLUS-QC filter is labeled "pH enhancing remineralization". My instruction sheet is v2.5.2020 and it only indicates to flush when replacing the Stage-4 filter, but not for the Stage-6. Therefore, if using the "remineralization" filter, you don't have to flush one tank out correct?
Hello Customer, With normal water quality and usage the alkaline filter lasts 6-12 months on average. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us directly by calling 1-800-880-4808 or e-mailing us at info@apecwater.com. We are in the office from Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm PST. Best Regards, APEC Water Support Team
It's most likely a pressure issue that can be fixed with a bicycle pump. If you still have this problem, then reach out to their support team. My daughter and I both had the same issue and they were very helpful. Here's the document they provided to me, although I did clean it up for clarity. captainken.us/ftp/apec_essence_roes-ph75_water_filtration_system_repressurizing_test.pdf
APEC, why don't you have an easy to find tubing diagram that shows how it all connects together??????????????? And after you replace the filters it should be easy to find out how many times you must drain the system before using it. UGH!!
Hello Customer, We do have diagrams which are in the owner’s manual we include when you purchased the unit and we also can email it over to you as well. In our filter change instructions and in the owner’s manual you would flush one tank of water before using. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us directly by calling 1-800-880-4808 or e-mailing us at info@apecwater.com. We are in the office from Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm PST. Best Regards, APEC Customer Service
Hello Derek, I am sorry to hear about this issue. We recommend you soak the cap side end of the membrane housing in warm vinegar water for 5-10 minutes and use the provided membrane wrench. It should help open the housing. Best Regards, APEC Support Team
5 stars for this puppy. In fact, if you buy this, open the box and look through instructions and graphics. The first thing you think, "This is how instructions should be written." At first, it may seem over whelming if you're not a handy man. Look at the pieces and the graphics, slowly. Start to think. Close you're eyes. Relax. You are a plumber. Say it out loud. "I am a plumber."
Now, open your eyes and get to work. If you have to do this again, you could do it in an hour.
One note. This is best installed with a new sink installation. You could take out your sink, that was too much for me. Or, like I did, leave the sink and disposal installed. It's cramped working like that, but, doable. My sink precluded me from installing through the sink itself. And, on one side was the dishwasher. So, I removed a drawer and installed the spigot on the other side. We lost a drawer, but well worth it. And, yes, there is a small gap on the filter enclosures, when the filters are installed. Approx 1/16 inch.
Seems to have covered most things well. I would suggest reference of the membrane filter wrench to remove/install the cap. I also didn't see any mention of o-ring inspection for stage 1-3 and proper use of the silicone grease upon re-install.
Agree- info on how to use the silicone grease, and when to change the o-rings would be helpful
LOL it's crazy the instructions say to lubricate the Stage-4 double o-rings, but no mention of what to use. Additionally, they need to include a little packet of the recommended silicone grease with the filter.
What maintenance is recommended for these systems as far as periodic flushing?
Is there any indication that the filters need replacement from a performance standpoint, or is it just supposed to be done on a time basis, regardless of the amount of water filtered and the quality of the tap water?
Thank you for contacting APEC Water Systems. If you are using an Ultimate 5-Stage RO system, we recommend just following the replacement schedule for filters as maintenance. The recommended time frame for replacing the stages 1 to 3 filters is every year. We do not recommend replacing the filters based on the amount of water being filtered as it also depends on the quality of the water. However, some customers are replacing the pre-filters based on the amount of water they are getting from the system, for example, if the customer is normally able to get 2 to 3 gallons of water and then one day the pressure gradually decreases after a few seconds of turning on the faucet (only able to get a cup or 2 of water) and the tank is empty, that means either of the 3 filters or all of them are clogged and need to be replaced.
Regarding the stages 4 and 5 filters (every 3 to 5 years), to help you determine if the filters need to be replaced, you may use a TDS meter to test your water quality before and after the RO system. For details, kindly visit www.freedrinkingwater.com/tds-meter.htm and there is a link below for a tutorial video on how to use it.
ruclips.net/video/6IK0dhZZPsE/видео.html
If you are referring to a different APEC filtration system, please provide us with more details.
My 90° elbow at the A line (red) is leaking where it goes into the filter housing.
I figured out it is a threaded connection. I shut off the water going into the filter. I opened up the stage one filter to drain the water, disconnected the red line, unscrewed the 90° elbow and wrapped it with teflon tape. I reconnected everything and turned the water back on. No leaks at this time.
I cannot get the membrane cap to come off!! I read in one of the comments that another had the same problem, and was recommended to soak the cap in hot vinegar water.. but the ratio of vinegar to water was not given. ..Any one have an answer? Thanks!!
I know I had a super hard time w/ the first 3 housings and finally got them open with instructions TIP that came in the box with filter order - it said IF THE HOUSING IS TOO TIGHT, USE A HAMMER AND GENTLY TAP ON THE WRECH HANDLE TO HELP TURN THE WRENCH, it worked but I also put the unit on the floor and bought a Strap Wrench for those 3 suckers, NOW I have that darn MEMBRANE CAP to still try to open, but Ill wait because I still have like another year to change it. Hope this helps.
@@CR-pf1es Thanking you!!
Thank you for the informative & helpful video!!
Agree with Peter- info on how to use the silicone grease, and when to change the o-rings would be helpful
This may be a moot question since I live in limestone country, but can I add the PH cartridge (with the necessary extra tubing and fittings) to my 5-stage ROES-75 system to convert it to a 6-stage system? I purchased the replacement kit for the 6-stage since it was less expensive than the 5-stage kit and verified that all of the cartridges were identical sans the extra PH cartridge.
Dear Curt,
Thank you for contacting APEC Water Systems and I am happy to help. Yes you can easily add a stage 6 pH filter cartridge to your ROES-75 system using our Phpluskit-14. Please kindly visit www.freedrinkingwater.com/calcite-acidic-water-neutralizer-10-filter-kit-1-4-quick-connect.htm
So I replaced all 5 filters. When I was done, I turned on the ball valve on the tank. The faucet was still on and a bunch of black stuff came out....is that normal?
Dear valued customer, yes this is normal as new stage 5 filter is carbon so when it is new, it requires to be flushed before use this is carbon powder.
I opened the housing in stage 1 and couldn’t stop the water from gushing. Do I have to drain the tank of water?
Thanks for your message. You will need to first turn off the cold water to the system at the sink faucet or at the feed water needle valve clockwise following our filter change instructions. Afterwards, please turn off the blue tank ball valve on top of the water storage tank and turn on the drinking faucet to properly change the filters with the system out of the cabinet. Thanks.
Great video! Thank you!
The tubing colors do not correspond to the tubing colors on my unit (ROES-50). I second the request for information about using silicone grease.
Dear Valued Customer, please kindly see the attached RO diagrams for your ROES-50 systems. For o-ring lubrication, we recommend using food grade o-ring lubricant like the one we carry below or you can also use Vaseline or cooking oil.
www.freedrinkingwater.com/food-grade-lubricant-protects-and-seals-o-ring-to-prevent-leaks-6gram.htm
@@freedrinkingwater Thank you.
Do you know who sells the tool to remove the filter housing ?? As I don’t have it. Ty
Dear Valued Customer, we do carry the bottom stages 1-3 filter housings for our RO systems wrench on our website please kindly see below. Thanks.
www.freedrinkingwater.com/wrench-half.htm
When I install the 3 filter covers, first hand tight, then, with the wrench, there is a 1/16 inch gap at the top. I would really have to force this, to close the gap. The o-rings and the filters are in the cover. Gap? yes or no
Did it work with the gap? Mine also has a small gap after using the wrench
What could be the reason for water coming from filter with pressure even after following changing instructions?First closed water shut off valve and then closed valve on tank and open the fauchet.
Dear Valued customer,
This would indicate your cold supply water connected to the Reverse osmosis system is not properly turned off.
Best regards,
Ken
APEC Customer service
@@freedrinkingwater Thank you so much for the reply.
There are 2 different carbon filters. What's their order?
If you are only replacing stage 1,2,3 and 6, do you not need to flush the system? It’s confusing as it says “flushing the system is not need at this time” after 1-3. But at the end of the video after 4 and 5 are replaced the system is flushed. Does it mean it’s not needed to flush until after 4 and 5 are done or just not needed at all for just 1-3?
Hello,
If your stage 6 is the calcium carbonate pH filter then after changing out 1,2,3 and 6 we do recommend you flush one tank of water through before using it. If only changing out the stages 1,2,3 no flushing would be needed.
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us directly by calling 1-800-880-4808 or e-mailing us at info@apecwater.com. We are in the office from Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:30pm PST.
Best Regards,
APEC Support Team
@@freedrinkingwater I think it depends on how water quality is. correct?
@@freedrinkingwater I'm assuming that the "calcium carbonate" and "remineralization" Stage-6 PH filters are different? My Stage-6 FI-ES-PHPLUS-QC filter is labeled "pH enhancing remineralization". My instruction sheet is v2.5.2020 and it only indicates to flush when replacing the Stage-4 filter, but not for the Stage-6. Therefore, if using the "remineralization" filter, you don't have to flush one tank out correct?
How long alkaline filter last 3 to 6 month
Hello Customer,
With normal water quality and usage the alkaline filter lasts 6-12 months on average. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us directly by calling 1-800-880-4808 or e-mailing us at info@apecwater.com. We are in the office from Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm PST.
Best Regards,
APEC Water Support Team
THANK YOU!!!
We changed all filters and we still dont know why only a little stream of water is coming out, which is the problem we had to begin with.
It's most likely a pressure issue that can be fixed with a bicycle pump. If you still have this problem, then reach out to their support team. My daughter and I both had the same issue and they were very helpful. Here's the document they provided to me, although I did clean it up for clarity.
captainken.us/ftp/apec_essence_roes-ph75_water_filtration_system_repressurizing_test.pdf
If you haven’t gotten an answer yet, you may need to re pressurize your storage tank.
Sometimes the storage tank needs to be pumped with air to increase the pressure
lovely stuff
APEC, why don't you have an easy to find tubing diagram that shows how it all connects together??????????????? And after you replace the filters it should be easy to find out how many times you must drain the system before using it. UGH!!
Hello Customer,
We do have diagrams which are in the owner’s manual we include when you purchased the unit and we also can email it over to you as well. In our filter change instructions and in the owner’s manual you would flush one tank of water before using. If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us directly by calling 1-800-880-4808 or e-mailing us at info@apecwater.com. We are in the office from Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm PST.
Best Regards,
APEC Customer Service
This is misleading. The 4th stage is almost impossible to open!
Hello Derek,
I am sorry to hear about this issue. We recommend you soak the cap side end of the membrane housing in warm vinegar water for 5-10 minutes and use the provided membrane wrench. It should help open the housing.
Best Regards,
APEC Support Team