3M Aqua-Pure Under Sink Water Filter System AP200, Full Flow

I had to write this review so nobody repeats my mistakes. This was my first time replacing this filter because we rented this house. I knew nothing about it and went to youtube for help and surprisingly found nothing but I did find the manual on aqua pure’s website. When the filter arrived it had directions (you never know so I wanted to be prepared). It was hard getting the outer canister off. I was afraid I was going to rip it off of the cabinet wall so I started tapping all around it in case there was sediment etc sticking and that did the trick and the canister finally unscrewed. I then unscrewed the filter cartridge that’s inside with no problems (have a towel and bowl under to catch water)and cleaned around everything because there was calcium gunk and chunks stuck inside the cap. I started screwing the new filter cartridge in per the directions which said hand tighten and it just kept spinning and then SNAP, the nipple part with the threads broke off inside the cap. (This is what happened to other reviewers and I was totally careful and it still happened to me -definetly a design flaw because you feel resistance but not really tightening) I called amazon and they sent a replacement no charge the next day. I had to use a flat head screw driver that was a little bigger than the hole inside where the broken nipple was stuck and gently wedge it in there and turn it slowly to unscrew the broken piece back out of the cap and it worked! This time I counted the threads on the nipple of the new filter cartridge and gave a full turn for each thread I counted (about 10) and then I turned the water on under the sink a little and it leaked out so I gave it another full turn 2 or 3 more times until the water wasn’t leaking out and I could turn the water back on all the way with no drips. I put the silicone lubricant (you’ll need this FYI) around the rubber ring of the new canister cover and screwed it on. I placed Tupperware and dry paper towels under the canister and opened the faucet all the way for the recommended 5-10 minutes and success! No leaks and great faucet pressure. Hope this helps!

I agree that the statement of 2 gal per minute is slow, which is why I use the AP in bathroom sinks and allow all the cold water to go thru the filter. They still last about a year. According to CUNO, technical service, it is time to replace the filter when you see a drop in the flow. That shows the filter is blocked. In my kitchen I have mounted a Whole House Filter. This gives me a flow rate of 5 gal per minute, which is higher than the faucet allows you. Standard Faucets are set to 2 1/2 gal per minute. I inserted a charcoal filter in my housing, available both thru CUNO or Home Depot Lowe's etc. Again the filters last at least a year. I used to live in New York City in a building that was made with galvanized pipes and was 100 years old. The pipes had lots of rust in them and dirt, The Whole House Filters took out everything and lasted more than a year. I would change them every January just out of guilt so to speak. They filters are so cheap why not change them? I now have them in my home under both my sinks in my kitchen. One I have plumbed to filter all the water going to my Instant HOT and also to the cold water side of my faucet at the same time. This way when I want a drink of water it is filtered when I cook pasta it is filtered when I make coffee or tea it is filtered. etc. I also put a whole house filter with a dirt and sediment filter (not charcoal) in the line feeding my hot water tank. This keeps the tank clean and that will make the tank last a lot longer than if I did not filter out the water going into the tank. That is why manufactures suggest you drain the tank once a year to get rid of the sludge found in the bottom of the tank, I used to drain it but now there is nothing in the bottom of the tank due to the filter. I do not work for CUNO, I just like their products. And I was a contractor for 27 years. I installed them in the 600 kitchens and baths I did all over NYC.

This is a very nice (simple) filter. I've had one on a different sink for 25 years - it works well taking out the chlorine taste etc. Doesn't take up much space and uses standard 3/8 pipe inlet and outlet fittings. Word of caution - the installation instructions specify teflon tape at these fittings - not very effective. I tried it and had two persistent drips. I took the fittings off and used Rectorseal Tplus2 (teflon paste) instead - much more effective seal between a brass fitting and the slick plastic threads on the filter body.

Water inlet into filter as well as water out are attached with 3/8 inch MIP/NPT fittings which is good. Most competitor’s products use slip joints which will eventually pop off and have the potential to result in a disastrous flood. This happens with regular frequency because the filter clogs if not changed frequently and then back pressure builds until the incoming slip water connection pops off. And voila you have a flood!Unfortunately this 3M filter is basically for sediment and only filters down to 5 microns.If someone knows of a water purification system that filters for smaller particles and can be connected with NPT/MIP or compression fittings and not the slip connections then I would love to hear from them and will buy it.

Does job

This filter works well and has a very good lifespan. Relatively easy to install.

I have used this water filter before under the kitchen sink. It usually comes with a time strip so you can easily see when you need to replace it - when the red marker travels all the way up to the top of the time strip. This time, each of two filters arrived WITHOUT the time strip. I wish someone would mail me two time strips. It would make the deal perfect.