• Ceramic Filters 

  single, double and triple replaceable cartridges in both countertop and undersink models as well as a stainless steel  single cartridge model.  The single cartridges are a simple ceramic filter.  The double cartridge models consist of a ceramic filter plus a 5 - stage KDF/GAC Crystal Quest filter.  The triple cartridge models have a sediment filter, a ceramic filter, then the 5-stage KDF/GAC Crystal Quest filter.

   

• Fluoride Filters  

  single, double and triple replaceable cartridges in both countertop and undersink models, as well as a stainless steel single cartridge model.  The single cartridge models are a simple SIR-900 fluoride cartridge.  The double cartridge models consist of a 5 - stage KDF/GAC Crystal Quest cartridge  then the SIR-900 fluoride cartridge.  The triple cartridge models have a solid carbon block filter, then the 5 - stage KDF/GAC Crystal Quest cartridge, then the SIR -900 fluoride cartridge. Note: high pH and high bicarbonate levels reduce capacity of the fluoride filter.  The SIR-900 media also effectively removes arsenic and lead.

   

• Refrigerator Filters  

   The newer multi cartridge undersink models have a refrigerator ice-hook up option.  This is basically a push connect  "Tee" that branches off from the undersink line to a 1/4" hose that will feed into the 1/4" O.D. or hose refrigerator hook up. There are also 2 in-line refrigerator filters: a horizontal unit with feet that lasts 10,000 gallons and uses the 5 stage KDF/GAC filter and the more conventional vertical replaceable cartridge model.  The replaceable cartridge uses the same KDF/GAC design that Crystal Quest is famous for.  To achieve a fluoride refrigerator filter, one would add the refrigerator ice-hook up option to an undersink fluoride model or purchase one of the original 4 stage fluoride refrigerator models.  The 4 stage models differ from the newer 5 stage models only because the KDF media is exclusively KDF®55 instead of  KDF®55 and KDF®85.   Similarly to achieve the sediment refrigerator model one would add the refrigerator ice-hook up to an undersink multi-cartridge model that has a sediment cartridge or use the original 4 stage sediment refrigerator filter.  

   

• Reverse Osmosis Filters 

Reverse osmosis is available as an installed 5 stage system for do - it - selfers or as a portable 3 stage Reverse Osmosis system that hooks up the countertop.

• Whole House Filters -- 

  Whole house filters come in all sizes, from a 10" 50,000 gallon single replaceable cartridge unit in plastic or stainless steel housing to 20" single, double, or triple replaceable cartridge units lasting  100, 150, and 200 thousand gallons respectively.  The single units are, of course, the Crystal Quest 5 stage filtration system.  The double cartridge unit adds a 20" solid carbon cartridge after the KDF/GAC cartridge.  The triple cartridge unit adds a 20"  sediment cartridge before the KDF/GAC cartridge and a 20" solid carbon cartridge after.  For even more capacity, the 500 series comes in 500,000 and 750,000 and 1,000,000 gallon capacity models. It includes a smaller sediment cartridge before and  a post filter cartridge after the large 48" high 9" diameter main 5 stage KDF/GAC filter.    The BW F500 series has the same capacity as the 500 series but adds an industry-leading Fleck control valve to automatically backwash the system removing the trapped contaminants and washing them down the drain.  It includes smaller separate replaceable sediment and high quality granulated activated carbon cartridges to be installed before and after the main unit.  A licensed plumber is recommended for installation.  

   

• Faucet and Pitcher Filters 

  These are compact units that manage to incorporate the Crystal Quest 5 stage KDF/GAC filtration system.  Units last 2,000 gallons, and are available in white, black, and chrome.

   

• Water Coolers (including Filter) -- 

  Choose from floor or countertop  water cooler models that deliver hot and cold filtered water.  Both water coolers employ 4 stages of filtration:  the sediment filter, an activated carbon filter, an NF membrane, and an ion exchange cartridge.  The units are plumbed directly into the cold water line.  

   

• Water Softeners 

   Water Softeners are available with and without bundled water filters.  They are available in 30,000; 45,000; and 60,000 grain capacities  in single or twin tank configurations.  They use the industry-leading Fleck control valves in both metered and timed models.  The combined water filter/softener achieves 8 stages of filtration:  a sediment pre-filter, then a 200,000 gallon 5 - stage KDF/GAC filter, then a solid carbon filter, and finally  the water softener itself is the 8th stage. 

    

• Shower Filters -- The Luxury Shower Power filtration system uses KDF and Granular Activated carbon that removes chlorine, chloramines, VOCs, THMs, pesticides, sulfur, heavy metals, hydrogen sulfide ("rotten egg" odor), iron oxides ("rust water"), dirt sediment and other odors -- and it's pH balanced!  The shower head is also available in a massage shower head.  The Handheld Shower Power with Massage Showerhead uses the same cartridge and housing as the Luxury Shower Power, but instead of  a shower head issuing from the filter, there is a connector for the hand held unit.  The hand held unit has a 5.75 foot Duro-flex hose for maximum mobility.  

Filtration Stages

The Core of the Crystal Quest units is the 5 stage filtration.  The multi-stage units add one to three additional layers of filtration.  There are also a few single purpose single cartridge filters that do not include the 5 stage filtration, notably single cartridge ceramic filters and single cartridge fluoride filters. 

Crystal Quest 5 stage cartridge is the cartridge pictured on the left.  It is the same system used in the sealed units, but comes as a replaceable cartridge in the replaceable cartridge units. Click for or more details about the 5 stage filtration system. 

Ceramic cartridges have a fine ceramic pore structure that effectively removes harmful bacteria such as E. Coli, Fecal coliform, Salmonella, Streptococcus, and cysts (Cryptosporidium, Giardia) and sediment. The cartridge can be cleaned up to 30 times (about once a month).  Water filters that have a ceramic cartridge come in single, double and triple cartridge models for both countertop and undersink.  

Sediment cartridges remove 99.99% of microbiological cysts, cryptosporidium and giardia as well as the larger sediment that would otherwise clog up the main KDF/GAC cartridge.  Sediment filters are the first cartridge in double and triple cartridge ceramic, countertop, undersink, reverse-osmosis, and whole house water filters as well as in the water cooler and   water softener with filter.

Solid Carbon Block cartridges have a finer pore structure and will not channel which gives the water more contact with the activated carbon.  This cartridge exists in some triple cartridge undersink filters, triple cartridge countertop and undersink fluoride filters, the in line reverse osmosis filter, double and triple cartridge whole house filters, and the water softener with triple cartridge water filter.  

Granulated Activated Carbon cartridges augments the GAC found in the Crystal Quest 5 stage filter.  It is found in the pre and/or  post RO cartridges, the 500,000 to 1,000,000 gallon capacity self backwashing whole house water filters, and in the countertop and floor model water coolers.  

Ion resin cartridges help soften water and are very effective at binding lead, copper, and other positively charged ions.  It acts like a magnet trapping contaminants onto the resin.  The contaminants that are removed are exchanged for hydrogen ions, a natural component of water.  It is found in the triple cartridge countertop water filters and the countertop and floor model water cooler. 

Fluoride cartridges are the special component of the Crystal Quest fluoride filters.  They are an SIR-900 media, is a high capacity adsorbent media that is highly selective for lead, arsenic and fluoride. Capacity is up to 11,000 ppm with effluent levels below 0.2 ppm from 10 ppm feed.  The EPA maximum contaminant level is 4 ppm. Thus, if fluoride is added, as opposed to naturally occurring, the feed levels would be well below 10 ppm.   The arsenic and fluoride removal is pH sensitive.  High ph and high bicarbonate  levels reduce capacity to remove fluoride.  Above 100 ppm bicarbonate, reduction by 50% can be expected; above 200 ppm the reduction of capacity will be 75%.   

Installation

Filters requiring no special tools: This is applicable to undersink filters and assumes the existing plumbing has a flexible line.  In houses with older plumbing, where there is a continuous copper connection, the copper pipe will need to be cut to accommodate the "Tee" provided.  The Tee is threaded, so there will have to be a sweat to thread adaptor soldered in as well. Of course, countertop water filters require no tools, are are extremely easy to install.

Filters best installed by a licensed plumber:  The  whole house water filters,  water coolers and water softeners are ("in line") and are best installed by a licensed plumber.  The reverse osmosis with booster pump is made for a do - it - yourselfer, but those without plumbing skills might also want to hire a plumber. 

Sealed units:

• countertop

	CRYSTAL QUEST water system is very simple to hook up and use. It   installs in minutes without tools on all standard faucets
Remove old faucet aerator Install the diverter valve/aerator

From unfiltered water to filtered - just push the diverter switch.   

diverter

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• under sink

		Hooks up to separate chromed long reach faucet
		Quick connect fittings for easy installation
		Installs out of sight under the sink
		Easy installation kit included.

• refrigerator

		Easy installation w/quick connect fittings
		Installs to appliance directly In-Line