We recently installed an under sink reverse osmosis water filter system in our kitchen. We chose the APEC 6 stage reverse osmosis system because we wanted the alkaline filter to PH balance the water. The water filter has been great! We have a separate faucet for the filtered water right at the sink and it’s so incredibly convenient that we have been drinking much more water.
The installation of the under sink reverse osmosis water filter took about 2 hours and was much easier than I would have imagined.
Here is everything used in the video:
APEC 6 stage reverse osmosis system
Bosch HDG12 1/2 In. Diamond Hole Saw (Used for Granite Countertop)
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Installation - Step 1
Prepare the site for the installation of your under sink reverse osmosis water filter. Clear out under your sink, clean off the counter, etc. Note: In the video you will notice that I did not have a floor in our kitchen cabinet. I did not take that out to fit the system, it is actually a separate project we are working on. You do not need to remove the floor of your cabinet to install this!
Installation - Step 2
Drill the 1/2 inch hole for the reverse osmosis water filter faucet. Choose the location carefully. Make sure you drill the hole in a place that is accessible below the sink as well so you can tighten down the faucet from below.
Note: If you are drilling through granite, be sure to go slowly so you do not burn the bit. It is also important to keep the bit wet to keep it cool. If you are drilling trough other materials, do your research to be sure you can be successful drilling.
Installation - Step 3
Install the supply line adapter to feed the under sink reverse osmosis water filter. Be sure you install it on the cold water side. First, shut the water down below the sink then use a small wrench to remove the supply hose from the supply valve. Wrap the threads on the supply valve with Teflon tape, then install the adapter. Finally, wrap the threads on the needle valve then hand tighten it in the side of the adapter. Once it is hand tight, use a small wrench to tighten it a few more turns. Attach the cold water supply hose to the top of the adapter. Be sure the needle valve is in the closed (Screwed in) position before slowly turning on the cold water. Note: Be sure there are no leaks, even a small drip can do lots of damage.
Installation - Step 4
Drill a 1/4 inch hole in the drain under the sink and install the drain saddle. Ideally you would install this in the horizontal drain between the two sinks. The reason for that is so you don’t hear the water draining from the under sink reverse osmosis water filtration system and dropping into your p-trap. If you don’t mind the noise, it may be easier to drill the vertical tailpiece below the sink. Remember not to drill a hole through both sides of the drain pipe. You only need one hole to fit the drain hose.
Installation - Step 5
Mount the under sink reverse osmosis water filter to the side of the cabinet. Something important to keep in mind here is that you want to mount this low enough to be able to remove or replace the filters from the top and high enough to remove the filters from the bottom. You may also need to use a couple of small washers to ensure the screw heads do not pull through the mounting bracket.
Note: Be careful you don’t knock the filter cartridges off the top, they tend to pop off pretty easily.
Installation - Step 6
Prepare the tank for the under sink reverse osmosis water filter to receive the filtered water. Wrap the threads on top of the tank with Teflon tape clockwise two or three times. Hand tighten the plastic shutoff valve, then give it a few turns with a wrench or a pair of pliers. Note: Be sure not to over tighten the valve. The threads are plastic and could be damaged. Finally, put the tank in a convenient spot under the sink. Be sure to place it on the stand so that it does not wobble. Do not turn or adjust the valve on the front of the tank. It is properly pressurized at the factory.
Installation - Step 7
Hook the hoses up to the entire under sink reverse osmosis water filtration system. Red to the first stage, black to the drain saddle (be sure it goes all the way into the drain pipe and that you leave an air gap between the drain hose and the p-trap. The under sink reverse osmosis water filtration system is under positive pressure so backflow or backsiphonage is not supposed to be an issue, but I always subscribe to the better safe than sorry theory.) Yellow goes from the stage 5 RO membrane to the under sink reverse osmosis water filter tank shutoff valve. Finally, the clear hose comes off the stage 6 alkalinity filter and goes to the faucet.
Installation - Step 8
Install the first three stage filters on the under sink reverse osmosis water filter. The sediment filter goes on stage 1 followed by the carbon filters on stages 2 and three. It is important to note that stage 2 and 3 use the same filter. These screw onto the bottom of the under sink reverse osmosis water filter counter clockwise hand tight. Then use the special wrench provided to give these a partial turn. Again, be sure that you do not over tighten these.
Installation - Step 9
Slowly open the needle valve and let the tank fill. DO NOT USE THE FIRST TANK Drain it from the faucet and let it refill. Note: Be on the lookout for leaks. You may not see a leak to the top of the tank until it is full so keep an eye out.
If you do have a leak, and need to relieve the water pressure, shut the cold water supply valve and / or open the faucet.
I found that any leaks are pretty easily remedied by simply tightening a fitting or pushing a hose further into a quick connect ring.
Conclusion
Take it slow and be patient. The instructions that come with the under sink reverse osmosis water filter are pretty easy to follow. The filters do require replacement on different schedules. We ended up just ordering a complete filter replacement set on Amazon.
Read our article on how we chose the right water filter for us.
Enjoy Your Water!
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Hello i was wondering could you help ,
I am a little worried that the black line is running on too long
Not sure how long it should it drain ? after i fill a cup of filtered water .
I checked the by pass valve all looks good
any suggestion worried too much water going down the drain
yours sincerely
John Power Irealnd
Hi John,
Great question! Ours seems to run a bit as well so I timed it. After we take out about 24 oz or so of water it starts adding new water to the tank and draining. It continues for about 2 minutes or so then stops.
When we installed our system, I didn’t cut the black line short, just looped it and zip tied it.
Hope that helps.