I purchased the iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage RO filter out of necessity when I could not purchase a sufficient quantity of bottled water at the store due to the COVID-19 shortages. Before this, I drank only bottled water because my tap water is especially rusty and full of sediment due to old pipes in my neighborhood. The tap water also had a strong smell of chlorine, metallic taste and would smell funny if stored in the refrigerator for a few days. That is no longer the case! Now, thanks to this RO filter system, I get water from the faucet that is as good as, if not better, than the water I bought from the store. I figure I'm saving at least $25 a month in water costs, which will have the system pay for itself in way under a year. Plus, no more lugging gallons of water from the store or making unnecessary trips in search of water. The system is fairly easy to install, requiring only the most basic understanding of plumbing and hand tools, albeit it helps to be flexible to get under your sink. The instruction manual is helpful, and there are several videos on YouTube to walk you through the process. All I can really say is that there's a big difference between watching someone else do it and doing it yourself. In particular, the instructional videos make it seem easier than it is because they're not shimmying under a kitchen sink with three drain lines, multiple water hoses and electrical conduits for a disposal and dishwasher. I feel the one thing either missing from or not emphasized enough in the manual is that the storage tank can be stood upright or placed on its side. This was critical for me because the tank would not fit under my sink standing up, and I have a standard 36" cabinet under my sink. My drain setup may be most of the issue - you can see how complicated it is in the pictures. Of course, what little usable space I had under the sink is mostly gone, but that's a small price to pay for clean water. Another potential issue with the instructions is with how vague they are regarding the installation of the drain saddle. It is recommended that it be placed on a horizontal section of pipe to prevent the sound of dripping water, but that's about all it says. My suggestion is to put it on a horizontal section of pipe just past the P-trap, preferably with the hole pointing straight up. Not only does this eliminate the sound of dripping water, but this might also prevent your system from malfunctioning should you get a clog in your trap, and it's less likely to leak into your cabinets if the drain saddle doesn't seal perfectly. I may be wrong about this, but I also think the videos missed the part about cutting a 45 degree angle on the waste water tubing (black tubing) to prevent the line from being blocked if it is over-inserted in the drain pipe. The instructions also walk you through a system purge to clear the lines, tank and filters. I think a combined approach from the videos and manual worked best for me. As shown in one of the YouTube videos, I disconnected the line from the third stage filter to purge the first three stages separately from the rest of the system. Then, keeping the tank valve closed, I reconnected the system and purged the last three stages. This is especially important for the systems with the Alkalinity post-filter (Stage 5). I had to purge the last three sections for 30 minutes before the water stopped being cloudy from what I assume was excess minerals coming from the Alkalinity filter. After that, I opened the tank valve, let it fill once and drained it according to the instructions. As for the hardware, my main gripe is that not all the quick connects had pre-installed, color-coordinated clips. However, the box contained a bag of extra parts that allowed me to perform the installation. I'm not sure if this was an oversight or just the way it is supposed to be. There was some water in the RO canister when I opened it to install the RO membrane. I speculate that either my filter system had been returned (possibly explaining the "missing" clips) or that the system was pressure tested prior to leaving the factory. In any event, the purge process cleaned everything up. A few other minor gripes: The filter section could use some kind of handle to lift it and for holding it while tightening or loosening the filter canisters. Perhaps this is intentional to keep you from over-tightening the connections? Also, the mounting instructions seem like an afterthought. I really can't imagine anyone mounting the filter section under their counter. It is far easier to just slide it under your sink and rest in on the bottom of the first three stages or lay the system on its back. Also, I installed the faucet in an opening in my sink originally intended for a soap dispenser that I never used. I cannot imagine most people using the included mounting hardware for the faucet, so that seems like it should have been a separate option. If it's of any importance, the faucet that came with my system is brushed nickel, but my original hardware is chrome. The distinction isn't that noticeable and I don't mind it, but it might have been nice to have an option (if there was one, I was not aware of it). My system also came with a leak detector that can shut off the flow of water to the system if water starts to pool under the sink. My leak detector uses some kind of pulp material that absorbs water and expands to shut off the flow. It's very low-tech, but that may be a good thing. Some of the videos I saw showed systems with a battery-powered leak detector. Of course, batteries can wear out. Still, an option between the two might have been nice. I did not install the leak detector, so this is just an observation. Overall, I am very pleased with the system despite my concerns and observations. The system is simple and sturdy. The water is creates tastes great and looks crystal clear. My only regret is not having purchased it sooner.
