UF Water Filter Membrane, 0.1 Micron Ultrafiltration

UF membrane cartridge 2-7/8" x 9-3/4", single

Description

An ultrafiltration (UF) water filter membrane physically blocks microbes: where carbon only improves chemistry and taste, a membrane actually strains bacteria out of the water. It catches the fine haze that slips past a sediment filter, shields a reverse osmosis membrane further down the line, and gives a household more than just better flavor.

This replacement UF membrane holds back colloids, bacteria, cysts of protozoa and other very fine particles, while the water and its dissolved minerals flow on. Inside the 10" and 20" drop-in cartridges sits a pleated membrane with a nominal 0.1 micron rating. It needs no drain line and produces no wastewater.

It comes in five versions: drop-in cartridges of 2-7/8" x 9-3/4" and 2-7/8" x 20", a sealed inline cartridge (JACO or Quick Connect connectors) and a small capsule.

Key features of this UF membrane

Pleated 0.1 micron membrane in both drop-in sizes, much finer than a typical carbon or sediment filter
Reduces cysts and bacteria (Giardia, for example), plus colloids and fine particles
Minerals stay in: dissolved minerals pass the membrane, so the water tastes natural
Works without a drain, wastewater or power
Lasts a long time: usually 24 to 36 months, available in five formats

How the UF cartridge is built

In both drop-in sizes, a pleated ultrafiltration membrane is wound about a polypropylene core and enclosed by a slotted outer cage. The cartridge is open at both ends (double open end), with silicone gaskets that seal it against the housing.

Apart from those gaskets, every part is made of polypropylene, an inert plastic that does not react with water chemistry: the membrane with the layers that support it, the cage, the core and the end caps. The materials meet US FDA rules for contact with food and beverages. The pleats create a big filtering surface, which keeps flow strong and the cartridge in service for a long time.

The sealed inline cartridge is a closed unit with its own JACO or Quick Connect connectors. Some under-sink systems use the small capsule format after their storage tank.

How ultrafiltration works

A barrier folded into pleats

Folding the membrane packs a lot of surface into little space. Pressure from your supply pushes water inward across the membrane, from the outer side toward the core.

The pores are so fine that colloids, fine particles, most bacteria, and cysts like Giardia and Cryptosporidium are left on the outer surface. Filtered water collects in the center and flows on toward your faucet.

Why the minerals stay

UF sorts by size. Calcium, magnesium and other dissolved minerals are much smaller than the pores and flow right through.

That sets it apart from reverse osmosis: ultrafiltration doesn't soften or demineralize the water and sends nothing to drain. It takes out microbes and particles, not dissolved substances.

What about viruses?

Viruses are the tiniest microbes, and many of them fit through 0.1 micron pores. UF only partly reduces them, so if viruses are a particular worry, combine it with reverse osmosis or UV instead of counting on UF by itself.

Why flow drops over time

Whatever the membrane stops collects on its surface. That layer grows over the months and flow slowly decreases. When you notice the flow has dropped clearly, the membrane is due for replacement.

What ultrafiltration removes

Main targets:

Bacteria
Cysts and protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium
Turbidity, colloids and other very small particles

Reduced in part: viruses; if they worry you, add reverse osmosis or UV.

Not built for: dissolved chemicals like chlorine, chloramine, VOCs, lead, fluoride, nitrate and arsenic, nor TDS (total dissolved solids) or hardness. For those, combine it with a carbon block, the SMART Filter Cartridge or reverse osmosis. If your water is known to carry bacteria, add a UV stage and have the water tested on a regular basis.

About Crystal Quest

First stage of Crystal Quest's own RO systems. The Thunder under-sink RO range uses this UF cartridge as its opening stage, so a replacement is exactly what those systems were designed around.
Five formats: two drop-in lengths (10" and 20", 0.1 micron), a sealed inline cartridge in JACO and Quick Connect versions, and a capsule.
Founded in 1994 and trusted by over a million people, Crystal Quest builds its filters in America to ISO 9001 quality standards.

Where the UF membrane fits

Thunder under-sink reverse osmosis: the 2-7/8" x 9-3/4" UF (CQE-RC-04055) is the inlet pre-filter, followed by SMART Plus and then the carbon block.
Thunder 2000 and 4000: a UF capsule goes downstream of the storage tank; look at the number printed on your current capsule.
Voyager replaceable systems: stage one in both versions; the double runs UF before SMART, the triple runs UF, SMART and a carbon block.
Cartridge-based whole house systems built for the 2-7/8" x 20" size (CQE-RC-04056), such as the salt-free water conditioner.
Inline/sealed: choose JACO (CQE-RC-04039) or the Quick Connect version (CQE-RC-04039Q) according to the connectors you have now.

Common questions

Is UF the same as an RO membrane?

No. An ultrafiltration membrane stops bacteria, particles and anything else bigger than its pores, and lets water and dissolved minerals through. RO is its own, much tighter membrane stage that takes out dissolved solids as well.

How does ultrafiltration differ from reverse osmosis?

UF filters by particle size, keeps the minerals and wastes no water. RO forces water through a far denser membrane, strips most of the dissolved solids and sends part of the water to drain. Plenty of Crystal Quest RO systems combine the two, with UF in front of the RO.

Will UF take out viruses?

Partly. A lot of viruses are tiny enough to get through its pores. If viruses are a particular concern, combine UF with reverse osmosis or UV.

Which format should I order?

Order the same type you have now: one of the two drop-in sizes, the sealed inline version (JACO or Quick Connect) or the capsule. The number printed on your used cartridge tells you which.

How long will a UF cartridge last?

Usually 24 to 36 months; replace it earlier if the flow falls off. Real-world life varies with feed water, your setup and daily demand.

Will it soften my water or lower dissolved minerals?

No. The minerals dissolved in your water go straight through UF, so unlike reverse osmosis it neither softens the water nor reduces dissolved solids.

Specifications

At a glance

Membrane: Pleated ultrafiltration (UF), double open end
Rating: 0.1 micron nominal, 85% efficiency (drop-in sizes)
Formats: 10" and 20" drop-in, inline/sealed, capsule
Wastewater: None; no drain connection
Passes through: Water and dissolved minerals
Max. temperature: 176°F (80°C)
Typical replacement: 24 to 36 months*

Sizes

The membrane rating applies to the standard drop-in sizes. Replace sooner if the flow drops.

SKU	Size	Fitting	Typical replacement
CQE-RC-04055	2-7/8" x 9-3/4"	Standard drop-in	24 to 36 months*
CQE-RC-04056	2-7/8" x 20"	Standard drop-in	24 to 36 months*
CQE-RC-04039	Inline/Sealed	JACO	24 to 36 months*
CQE-RC-04039Q	Inline/Sealed	Quick Connect	24 to 36 months*
CQE-RC-04059	Capsule	Standard	24 to 36 months*

Membrane and filtration

Membrane	Pleated ultrafiltration (UF), double open end
Membrane rating	0.1 micron nominal, 85 percent efficiency (2-7/8" x 9-3/4" and 2-7/8" x 20" drop-in sizes)
Reduces	Bacteria, protozoan cysts, colloids, fine particles; reduces viruses partially
Passes through	Water and dissolved minerals
Wastewater	None; no drain connection

Cartridge ratings (drop-in sizes)

Maximum temperature	176°F (80°C)
Maximum pressure drop at 68°F (20°C)	60 psi (4 bar)
Maximum pressure drop at 176°F (80°C)	35 psi (2.4 bar)
Freezing	Protect from freezing. In a complete system, follow the system's own pressure and temperature range.

Construction materials (drop-in sizes)

Ultrafiltration membrane
Polypropylene membrane and support layers
Polypropylene slotted cage, core and end caps
Silicone gaskets
Double open end

*Typical replacement range. Actual life depends on feed water quality, system configuration and usage.

Maintenance & care

When to replace it

Replace typically every 24 to 36 months.
Replace sooner if the flow drops: everything the membrane holds back stays on its surface, and a noticeable drop in flow means it is time for a new one.
Actual life depends on feed water quality, system configuration and usage.
Protect the cartridge from freezing. In a complete system, follow the system's own pressure and temperature range.

Before you order

Check the part number on the old cartridge and match the format: standard 2-7/8" x 9-3/4" or 2-7/8" x 20" drop-in, inline/sealed with JACO or Quick Connect fittings, or capsule.
For the inline/sealed version, match the connections on your current cartridge: JACO (CQE-RC-04039) or Quick Connect (CQE-RC-04039Q).

Pair it for dissolved contaminants. UF does not treat chlorine, chloramine, VOCs or dissolved metals; combine it with a carbon block, the SMART Filter Cartridge or reverse osmosis.

Compatibility

Which format do you need?

SKU	Format	Used in
CQE-RC-04055	2-7/8" x 9-3/4" drop-in	Thunder under-sink RO (first pre-filter, ahead of SMART Plus and the carbon block); Voyager double and triple (first stage)
CQE-RC-04056	2-7/8" x 20" drop-in	Whole house cartridge systems that list the 2-7/8" x 20" size, such as the Salt-Free Water Conditioner
CQE-RC-04039	Inline/sealed, JACO fittings	Systems with JACO inline connections
CQE-RC-04039Q	Inline/sealed, Quick Connect fittings	Systems with Quick Connect inline connections
CQE-RC-04059	Capsule	Thunder 2000 and 4000, after the storage tank

Match the cartridge you are replacing and check the part number on the old cartridge. For a Thunder 2000 or 4000 capsule, check the part number on your existing capsule.

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