I'm not sure what I'm looking at, but is your washer/gasket worn? You could change that.

I still see it in the shops. Heavily discounted. Maybe new models coming in?

New models MAY still use the same cartridges. I know Panasonic's alkaline filter has a new model, but it's still using the same cartridge as the old one.

I've been using the smaller GE sand filter, model 1035 for a few weeks now. Seems OK so far. Water pressure reduction with sand filter is very minimal, probably 5% or less. Get the manual valve, it's good enough. Just need to backwash about once a week, depending on usage and water quality in your area. If you find the backwash water to be not too dirty, you can opt for 2 weeks once.

Which dealer?

Why do you need a bypass piping?

I noticed that with my GE sand filter. If the incoming source is very dirty, such as right after water supply resumes after a water cut, the filtered water is still quite dirty. Membrane filters would not have such a problem.

How much is the replacement for the 3M outdoor filter?

I agree, sand filter is quite disappointing. I am using GE sand filter(3+ years now) and when water turbidity gets bad ( for example, right after you get your water back after a water cut ), the sand filter simply is unable to provide clean water. The dirty water then gets into my water tank, resulting in the tank accumulating dirt. I bought it because it was much cheaper than membrane at that time, and I was on a budget.

If I were to purchase a POE filter now, my choice would either be a membrane filter, or something similar to 3M too. My only problem with 3M is, my area gets water cut often, hence there would be many times when dirtier than usual water will go through the filter. Being unable to backwash it, it may have a shorter lifespan.

For membrane filters, in addition to the automatic flushing that's done once or twice a day, the filter needs to be backwashed once in a while too. Some installers do not provide the users with the ability to perform your own backwash ( by installing multiple levers and some funky pipe connections ). Hence, you would need to call them to service the filter once a year, with their water pump. You must remember, automatic flushing does not replace backwashing for membrane filters.

Already invested in the sand filter, would be such a waste to throw it away.

I'm not home *all* the time, so how would I know when the water comes back? Unless I turn off the mains, because it will most certainly refill my water tank because that would be rather empty since it's used during the period of water cut. If I turn off the mains during a water cut, how then would I know if water is back, unless I periodically check...

I too prefer 3M filter but it wasn't available when I purchased my sand filter ( or I didn't know about it back then ).

This post has been edited by wdarke: Oct 30 2013, 11:31 PM

I wish it was that simple My area, is infamous for water cuts that lasts for many days. In between the days there would be a few hours whereby water supply would be back. You would want to maximize the opportunity to fill your water tank, in case the cut lasts for much longer. If you turn off the main, and you are not around when the supply resumes for a few hours, you basically miss that window of opportunity! Anyway, nice suggestion for others.

One question for 3M AP902 + prefilter users, how much impact does it have on the water pressure? I'm asking because my area has relatively low water pressure. I suppose, it would be more impact than a sand filter.

It's only 25psi, about 1.7 bars. Complained before, they said it's old housing area, so if the pressure is too high, old pipes will start to leak

Er.. my pipings are brand new. It's 1.7 bar at entry point. I am using sand filter now, it just does not filter as clean as membrane.

My sand filter is GE, about 3+ years now. Since my POE water pressure is so low, I guess I cannot use membrane. Does 3M POE filter drop as much pressure as typical membrane?

I noticed that most sellers selling 3M AP Easy Complete now, it no longer comes with a prefilter? What happened to that package?