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Here is a few more tips: You could have put Sharkbite 1" Brass Male to 34" Push on fittings with a short copper stub in the middle between your canisters. Since Sharkbites allow the pipes to spin you could tighten the male fittings without taking them apart or have to spin one canister. It would have set you back $35 for the pair. One would work as well but me more trouble to setup. You could add in a plex T pointing down with a Shutoff which would allow you to release the pressure and drain some water when you have the bypass going to change the filters. There is still water on your filter side when you turn on the bypass. You never want sideways pressure on a Sharkbite fitting as it can reduce the pressure on its internal O-ring and cause leaking. Pipes should always enter straight on and level and have a clean even end. Cutting with a hacksaw might not give you an even end. Once you cut your piece out you should have checked for a flush end and if it was not flush used a small pipe cutter to clean it up. Almost all Sharkbite leaks are caused by improper installation. Sharkbite fittings going to metal pipes do not need the plastic insert in the fitting. It is there to make sure plastic pipe holds it shape. If you pull it out it opens up the fitting for better water flow. You want to make sure you debur the inside of any copper pipes you cut. Pipe cutters always leave a small lip which should be removed which lowers turbulence and wear. Not sure about hacksaws in your case. I looked at the 10" Culligan myself but decided to go with larger 20" housings as you only have to change them half as often due to their large internal filter. The clear filter housing looks cool but I have heard some people complain that they got algae growth in their canisters which does not happen on the opaque housings. Some clear housings are rated to lower pressure as well although the Culligan clear housing has a high pressure rating. The silicone grease is a good tip to put on thr O-rings and threads. This makes the housings easier to put on and take off and they do not need to be turned as tight which makes the O-rings last longer. Many people over tighten their housings to try to stop leaks which kills the O-rings. Personally once I got everything wotking I would have replace the plex and Sharkbites with copper as I think it looks better and be less likely to cause problems long term.

You are a saint for putting the shopping list with links in the description! Lots of people (including me) have a hard time visualizing and figuring out puzzles like this. You have helped with the hardest part. Thank you so much!

WOW that was one of the best descriptive videos I have seen on You tube thanks!!!!!

So glad I'm going with pex-a when I do my system. The tool is expensive but the installation is quicker and more reliable.

this is a great DIY video that doesn't involve soldering and for people that doesn't get enough straight pipe length to put all the filters in 1 straight line. For people that uses city water, you can also add more filter stations for carbon filter, iron, lead, heavy metal filters, UV light, etc.

Very well done. Extremely helpful. Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks a million!

The most planned and detailed DIY I have ever seen. Salute

Hello Dave, Nice and clear explanation and demonstration! Expanded PEX is Type A PEX. You are using type B PEX which is NOT expandable and uses crimp or the cinch rings you have. You need a plumber's Crescent/adjustable wrench. Opens to 2 1/8 inches...With the nipple between the two filters, first take off the cans (easier to work with), screw one end of nipple into the first filter finger tight then screw the other filter on a bit. Now rotate the filter on the nipple. The nipple then threads into BOTH housings at the same time giving precise control over where the housings line up and both having equal tightness to prevent leaking. Don't be concerned with tightening AT THE nipple itself; actually it doesn't need the HEX nut. A standard one inch brass nipple would have done the trick! The way you did it, the first is good and tight, but the second loses some ability to tighten because you have to stop at the alignment point. It's an old trick for when a plumber is installing a nipple! When cinching, cinch the clamp just a hair so it is not loose on the PEX. Then it can be moved to the exact position and fully cinched in two seconds. There are brackets which usually come with the spin down filters that clip onto the clear can of the filter housing. Your vendor didn't give you any! Use the same nipple install technique for the spin filters that are connected by a single nipple. You have a leak because you probably backed off the filter to line it up. At the gauge, just need more Teflon... Why not just mount the spin filters in-line with the other filters. You have plenty of room and it will eliminate the Z in the piping/ two elbows, and the spin filter's drain won't be over the other filters. The first pressure gauge should be mounted BEFORE all the new piping. That way it will always show input pressure. Mounted after the valve defeats its use. The second gauge is good, since it will show if the system is pressurized when the bypass is closed, and can be used to show the differential when in operation. Might want to swap the gauges to verify their accuracy. They might be different by a pound or two! Additionally, the 3/4 PEX fitting will cause up to 2.5 psi drop in pressure. You have the room; use a metal or plastic "90 degree PEX bend bracket" and bend the PEX 90 degrees instead of using the elbow the elbow. If you have a 3/4 rigid conduit bender, that can be used to pre-form the PEX to get it into the 3/4 PEX bracket. That fitting not only lowers pressure but increases turbulence in the piping (possible noise source). Use of bends eliminates both flaws when using PEX. The "big round curve"; eliminate with a 90 degree bend bracket; doesn't have to be attached, but it holds the bend in the PEX. If yo bend PEX, it will eventually want to go back to its original shape. Which is why the bend bracket is needed. Note too that the fewer PEX connections, the more reliable the system is. Instructions! Oh my! Just use the bypass valve built into the Culligan filter to bypass and change the filter. No need for all those extra valves to be manipulated when merely changing filters... One problem with this Culligan (and many others) filter design is how the o-rings are used. O-rings were never meant to be CRUSHED which is what happens if the can is put on too tight. Notice the spin-on filters the o-ring is NOT crushed because the o-ring is on the periphery of the clear can and NOT on the top of the can to be crushed.

Great job with this video! Nicely explained and laid out, your brain works a lot like mine 😄 Thanks for taking the time to make and share your successes and hiccups that you ran into!

This is an excellent video....the information is clear to understand....the follow through after installation shows the success of the project and the parts list can empower those watching the video with some direction to do this for themselves....thank you very much

Thank you for taking the time and energy to making this great tutorial! You made it clear and concise. I can now confidently remediate my crappy house filter that came with the house.

Thank , Great job. I just drove a well with a well point. Now I am going to put in a filter system along with a neutralizer. This video will help a lot.. By the way I have a friend that is a master plumber. What he does with screw on fitting is use teflon tape and pipe dope. I asked him because i was having issues with leaks. After I started doing that. no leaks..

I really liked your video and your style of explaining everything. I think your subscriber count will grow more and more.

Best video I have seen on this yet. Great explanation and followup afterwards......Great job

Dave, Great video. Very well done & simple to follow. Thanks

Really awesome instructional video. Putting in a ISPRING 3 filter system for city water that has a sediment problem. This has given me a good foundation to start my system. Thank you.

I will do the same this weekend but will use 5 stage filtration. Your video is excellent and gave me some ideas how to do mine.

Dave, A well done video. I learned a great deal and am designing my system now. A couple of thoughts you might want to research. I watched a shark bite video and one of the cautions when connecting to copper was to not scratch the copper pipe. I took this to mean don't sand it. The other thought is a copper pipe system is usually grounded to the electrical system. Even the water meter is bridged by a ground wire with clamps on both sides. Needed or not I intend to bridge the main water line where I cut it for inserting the PEX lines. Again thats for your work. Loren

excellent work 👌 bravo food grade grease i had the same idea wow great set up !!! get your masters

good information - I thank I will go with the same system, but since I have city water I will use one 50 micron spin down filter

That was awesome .. gave me a good understanding of how i will filter my rain water tank at my hobby farm - Australia

That was GREAT!! Damn good work!! Very nice video as well. It inspires me to do my own as well. Even if I am all crippled up! 😬

you did a good job and showed me step by step how to fix and install a water filter system, thank you. Your friend from chicago O R

Great video. I have a shallow water well and the water needs filtering. I plan to copy your set up and see how it goes.

You make it look so easy! Great job!

Loved it simple installation thanks for sharing your design.

I will probably put 2 or 3 2x4s on the actual wall, then screw the mounting board to that with a few screws. Mainly because if I ever need to pull the system down I will be unscrewing the entire wall mount from the wood and not the cement..those screws don't seem to hold well for me after their first time in the wall. Great Idea, and super job! 😀

I have the Culligan water filter with a clear base works out great absolutely love it

Fantastic work! Excellent job! Thank You for sharing. Using your links to order today.

Nice video. Researching what route to go when getting a filter system. Thank you for the info.

Thank you, I learned and re-learned new things. PEX was just recently approved by our township so I might go with that.

Dear Dave: Fantastically wonderful and enormously clear overview and detailed guide to build and operate this water filtration system. I absolutely love what you did and am in total awe of the effort it took to plan, organize and purchase components, construct, and ultimately go live and test your design. And beyond all of that, to create a detailed video guide and real-time history of your project. How very generous and kind of you. Thank you! I can only imagine how one day, many years from your having undertaken this adventure, your children…and, yes, even their children, enjoying this video and coming to know a part of you…their father and grandfather…and, hopefully, themselves, that they might not ever have known were it not for your fascinating videography. Next stop: A video on afterthoughts and refinements; how over a couple of years the system has performed for your family; possible hindsight “do differents” or recommended changes to your project or work plan. I can hardly wait! Congratulations and, again, thank you! Bill Chicago

Please wind your pipe thread tape in the direction that you would screw something on to it. This not only provides a better seal but will prevent the tape from slipping off as you screw it in place. I'm thinking your small leaks might have had something to do with this error. Great info on this video. Keep it up.

What a great job! Well done.

Great videos Gary! I am learning a lot. I am still doing my research, but I have come across a local company that modifies the UV Dynamics unit by adding an extra 50/20 sediment filter in front of the 5/1 sediment filter and then the 10 micron carbon filter. Is there any advantage of this 3rd filter? Also, why not use a 5 micron carbon filter? The 10 micron seems to be the standard. I am drawing water from the lake.

Great video, I need to do something to filter my water and can not afford a full treatment so think I am going to copy this.

Great video, thank you for taking the time

I have a 50 feet borewell and the water isn't safe to drink the lid wasn't properly seated they had put insulation insulation around the lid and dirt was seeping in we have it fixed watching this video I can learn how a water filtration is set up easy I liked how you chose not copper as down the road they spring leaks and the psi gauge to keep a look out on water I like how you can flush out the filters and also change them I would buy this kit good video glad I found it.

Outstanding video. I learned a lot. Much appreciated.

Extremely helpful and I appreciate the video

Just now subscribed! Loving the content!

Great video this helped my spec out what I need to do and just ordered similar items. Note the Anderson Metals male to male connector states in the description that it contains lead and not to be used for potable water.

Watching this, and I had used teflon tape as well, major leaks...I then found the "liquid version" of teflon and that made a much better seal, no leaks. Also I am wondering why you had not used a GAC filter. My setup is 10" 20 micron "pleated" media followed by 5 micron sediment filter, then goes into a 20" GAC filter media and then it goes into water softener. Again great idea for a "bypass" so you can change out filter without turning off all the water to house.

Great video Dave! We just built a large home to take in foster children. Our well is supposedly rated at 100+ gallons per minute and our pressure tank is set at 60 psi. After one month, we just noticed a lot of sediment that was clogging up the toilet valves. I dont' know what caused it, but we were running four dishwashers, 2-3 showers, and probably a few toilets being flushed. Fortunately I had watched your video prior to finishing the plumbing, so I put in bypass pipe and valves ahead of time in order to install a whole house filter and also a water softener. Looks like its time to install the whole house filter. Just ordered all the stuff you listed on Amazon and I really appreciate you providing that list so I didnt have to do all my own research on filters, etc. Thank you again for being so helpful. God bless!

Not sure why this has not got more views. Only change I would have made is to bring the top spin down filters up on a 2x4 just for looks.. Good job.. I will use it for my reference for my house.

Hero. Seriously excellent work. I have a municipal well, and I didn't know about those rinseable large-particle filters. I may simply go with 1 of those at 50 micron and 1 Culligan filter canister with a 10 micron cartridge... Hopefully, that setup would capture most things and will set up the water for my softener.

The problem I’m having with my well water is the odor.. in your opinion would I need just 1 of those filter housing with a carbon filter cartridge? Also with the spin out filter is that a must? Currently I have a large sediment tank a water softener and a 5 micron filter then going into a Uv sterilization..

After watching a week of KZfaq videos from many sources and do it yourselfers, I'm more confused than ever. Depending on where you live will determine on what type of system you need because city municipal water is different from Rural Well Water. The best advice I've heard so far is to get your water tested first whether you do it yourself or by an expert. Once you've done that then you can figure out what systems you need. If you're not a do it your selfer like me, it's best to rely on experts in the field and professional Plumbing installers for recommendations on what will work for your home. There are too many choices and it's expensive if you choose the wrong equipment. But kiddos to guys like you who are handy and can figure it out so well done.

Very Good Video, Thanks. This week I am going to set up the A. O. Smith Sediment Whole house Filtration system. I still don't know if I will use PEX or Copper pipes. FESsr. in Minnesota.

I'm actually in the process of installing this in my outside well shed. Ordrerd the parts a month ago.

The pressure drop you saw between the well gauge and the filter loop gauges may have to do with the gauge calibrations and not an actual pressure drop. Or you have a couple valves between the well gauge and the first gauge in the filter loop, there could be a little restriction there.

Good video!! Great job amigo!

Great information! Thank you for making this video

I really liked this I feel like I could do this myself

Part I find funny is equating Michigan to high water pressure with a well. Use a bigger pump on the well and you'll get even more if you want.

That's quite an elaborate system, I have a single sediment filter that clogs quickly. I'm using GE pleated 30-micron fiters from Home Depot, $10 each when you buy a 4 pack. Good call on the clear covers so you can see the filters. I have the blue one and it's always a guessing game. I know when the water pressure drops, it's time to change, typically every couple of months. What I'm looking for is a whole home sediment filter that does backwash to auto-clean itself so I can get out of the filter-changing game. :)

I love that you have your comments at the bottom of the video. Well done ! :)

Was this in leu of an iron curtain? I’m asking because our iron curtain tank has gone bad and I need to replace it. Is this an alternate?

I just finished my installation of a whole house carbon water filter and water softener using the CULLIGAN WH-HD200-C on this video (Pentek Dual-Gradient Density 50/5 micron pre-filter and 25/1 micron post-filter)and the SuperPro 80960BU Water Pressure Gauge. I wish I would have had filmed but I needed full concentration and 0 distractions with the camera. I really like the CULLIGAN filters, the only complaint that I have is with the water pressure gauges, are not accurate, they are very close to accurate with a 2-3 psi discrepancy from the real psi on that water line. Close Enough. I guess they are not bad for a $5.30 water pressure gauge.

Hi. Great video. Can you provide the link with what O rings you bought for the culligan filters? Thanks.

Great job thank you !

great explanation & tips👍🏼

While you were at it you should've change those valves out for ballcock, I don't know if you noticed it but it seemed like water was coming out slowly when you cut it off. Good work, I'll be doing mine based on this.

Good video Just NOTE: you cannot verify filter pressure drop unless you have significant flow through the system (ie a shower) while you check the filter simultaneously

Place blue tape onto the filter housings with the date and micron. The difference in pressure could be the gauges if there are different brands and sizes.

That's a great idea. Just about to re-do my filter setup. New "used" house with some terrible diy "plumbing" with PVC pipes to copper to PVC to copper ... terrible.

Good job I'm will do my system like that I'm buying a house with well water

Great video, thank you.

I like your filter system and am in the process of designing one for my house and decided to watch your video. It is very well laid out and thought out. I just have one comment and that is that the hex nipples you linked to on Amazon have lead in them. In the Amazon description it states "WARNING - This product can expose you to chemicals including lead(~2.85%), which is not allowed by federal law to be installed for potable water use in the U.S.A. and its territories." I only caught it because I am a hydraulic specialist and worked in the food industry for 8 years and I had to stay current on FDA/DEC/NSF/ANSI standards. Most hex nipples are higher pressure and designed for hydraulic, oil or fuel and are not NSF/ANSI Standard 61 (drinking water standards). Before you go and replace it, look over the hex nipples and see if you can see 61, 61-9, 61-G or 61/9G stamped on it, meaning they are food/drinking water grade. If not I would change them out. I prefer hex nipples over straight nipples, and about the only place I have seen standard 61 hex nipples is through McMaster-Carr. Like your system and cheers!

awesome video

Thanks very helpful

Great Job!!!!!

Nice Filters

Very interesting! Just wondering why you used 2x elbow and 3 sections of PEX on the left hand join (between the big filters and small) and didn't just form the PEX around in a C shape in one section? was the radius too tight or was there another reason?

The guages are too far from the pipe. Water that gets to the guage is not easily returned in back into the system. So it sort of sits there. Great video and explanations. I'm designing mine now and this is very helpful. Thank you.

This is a great video. Thanks for the upload. What are the TDS levels from the faucets now? I'm looking into a pre-filter system for our water. We currently only run a softer.

NICE JOB

Very nice video, one question, the filter inlet and outlet are 1" rather than 3/4", is there a mix up on your male 2 male hex fitting? Also 3/4" PEX to male adapters?

GREAT VIDEO!! Thank you!! A very professional job pal. I will build one almost exactly like it. One question though because you said it two or more times, about how great the water pressure is in MI. You started out saying that you have well water..right? If so, what would the water pressure in MI matter?? That's only for city water correct? I was just wondering because you prove, to ME anyway, that your a pretty smart guy so I figured you must have a reason for saying it. Thanks in advance for your answer..and again, GREAT video!! Well produced, written, and recorded as well..both video AND sound! Quality work all the way. Maybe you should do a video on HOW TO DO a KZfaq video!!😀 I would watch it!!

Nice Job Dave. I didn't know Culligan made those filter's. What's the difference between the HD200-C and the WH-S200-C ? Size maybe?. I'm trying to talk myself into doing this on my house. My plumbing set-up is a bit complex as far as lay out will be. Learned a few thing's. Thanks for posting.

You are years ahead of me. We bought our house needing new everything in 2022 and the plumber set up my well water filtration system so that it filters everything - including the water going to the outside water spigots. That means that all my outdoor watering helps degrade my filter so that I have to replace it more often. Is there any reason to include outside water in filtration?? Thanks for such great information!

You should put the ball valves in so the handles point in the direction of water flow when they're open.

Best video ever

Good video, it’s extremely helpful. Crazy how the cost of these supplies have gone up a lot sadly.

awesome! 💯💯💯 How's it looking several years later? Anything you would add/change? I'm in the process of looking for a whole house system and either a no salt or citric acid water softner & reverse osmosis/UV at the same spots you added then. Thanks for the great tips!! 🙌

Great video, with clear explanation and demonstration! I learned a lot. I do have one question -- how do you feel about installing the spin down filter(s) "before" the outside water outlets. Sprayers probably don't matter much, but I do have electronic flow meters, and others have sprinklers and drippers. Wonder if you did research on that, or just can share your opinion.

I just watched your video. Thank you for sharing, because this assists in understanding the installation process. You explained the receiving and exiting of water flow in a way anyone can follow. Your explanation made for an easy understanding of the entire process. What is the black tank? You said the blue tank is a well, right? How is the taste of water since the installation?

The current version of the iSpring filter includes a mounting bracket, screws, teflon tape, wrench and installation instructions. The clear plasting tubing to drain it is 1/2 outside diameter.

If your main supply from the water main is 1", then use 1" for the whole system. My system goes from 1" down to the 3/4" after the filters.

Thank you so much for this video...one of the best I've seen. I am installing a filtration system now and got several great tips from you. One question - I need to also monitor volume...any thoughts on a simple flow gauge?

Is his setup overkill for a prefilter for an aquasure water softener? Or is the ispring mesh filter ll I really need. I'm asking since the 2 cullligan filters are so big, and I wonder if I really need them. I have alot of lime in my well water. Deep Thanks.

Im adding a ph neutralizing tank and was wondering where in the lineup you’d suggest putting it? We also have a basic water softener tank like yours and I’m unsure if I should tie into it’s output on its own bypass loop or tie into it before the water goes to it? Also, have you heard of using spindown filters before the well pump? We’ve had to replace ours twice now so anything to clear the water up a little before the well pump seems like a good idea. Thanks for any help you might provide.

You might be willing to add a zeolite filter just to collect the mud, if any, before the filters. You can DIY. I did it and works very well. It maintains your filters cleaner for a longer time period. Regards. Santiago

Could have used a simple union between the large filter canisters. Do you not use rust removal salt with your water softner. By the way great video, I'm in Michigan as well.

I don't think the state you lives in affects your water pressure when you have a well (and a well pump)! LOL! Joshing you around, thanks for the video!

Hi Dave, great video. Do you have a link for the reducer going from the culligan 1 inch down to the 3/4 or 1/2 size as I am not seeing that in your links. Thanks

the water pressure gauge has a 1/4 inch tread. I dee an adapter to convert this to 1/2 inch but how do we go from that to 3/4 inch pex? I don't see that fitting in the list of parts?

Wow, great step by step and instructions. I see you still wanted to keep the salt softener? I'm tired of it all. $4,500 system, five yrs old, Culligan, and worthless now. I'm going to what you're doing here, but doing away with the excessive salt use. Thanks for such a great tutorial! Will you be my son-in-law? Lol

Did you consider using PEX A as opposed to B?