{"product_id":"ultrafiltration-uf-water-filter-membrane","title":"Crystal Quest Ultrafiltration (UF) Water Filter Membrane, 0.1 Micron","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn ultrafiltration (UF) water filter membrane physically blocks microbes: where carbon only improves chemistry and taste, a membrane actually strains bacteria out of the water.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey features of this UF membrane\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePleated 0.1 micron membrane\u003c\/strong\u003e in both drop-in sizes, much finer than a typical carbon or sediment filter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces cysts and bacteria\u003c\/strong\u003e (Giardia, for example), plus colloids and fine particles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinerals stay in:\u003c\/strong\u003e dissolved minerals pass the membrane, so the water tastes natural\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorks without a drain, wastewater or power\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLasts a long time:\u003c\/strong\u003e usually 24 to 36 months, available in five formats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow the UF cartridge is built\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApart 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow ultrafiltration works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA barrier folded into pleats\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFolding 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy the minerals stay\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUF sorts by size. Calcium, magnesium and other dissolved minerals are much smaller than the pores and flow right through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat about viruses?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eViruses 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy flow drops over time\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat ultrafiltration removes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain targets:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCysts and protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTurbidity, colloids and other very small particles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReduced in part:\u003c\/strong\u003e viruses; if they worry you, add reverse osmosis or UV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot built for:\u003c\/strong\u003e dissolved chemicals like chlorine, chloramine, VOCs, lead, fluoride, nitrate and arsenic, nor TDS (total dissolved solids) or hardness. For those, combine it with a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/coconut-based-5-micron-carbon-block-filter-cartridge\"\u003ecarbon block\u003c\/a\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Crystal Quest\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirst stage of Crystal Quest's own RO systems.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFive formats:\u003c\/strong\u003e two drop-in lengths (10\" and 20\", 0.1 micron), a sealed inline cartridge in JACO and Quick Connect versions, and a capsule.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFounded in 1994\u003c\/strong\u003e and trusted by over a million people, Crystal Quest builds its filters in America to ISO 9001 quality standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere the UF membrane fits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThunder under-sink reverse osmosis:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThunder 2000 and 4000:\u003c\/strong\u003e a UF capsule goes downstream of the storage tank; look at the number printed on your current capsule.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVoyager replaceable systems:\u003c\/strong\u003e stage one in both versions; the double runs UF before SMART, the triple runs UF, SMART and a carbon block.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCartridge-based whole house systems\u003c\/strong\u003e built for the 2-7\/8\" x 20\" size (CQE-RC-04056), such as the salt-free water conditioner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInline\/sealed:\u003c\/strong\u003e choose JACO (CQE-RC-04039) or the Quick Connect version (CQE-RC-04039Q) according to the connectors you have now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs UF the same as an RO membrane?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow does ultrafiltration differ from reverse osmosis?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eUF 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWill UF take out viruses?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003ePartly. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhich format should I order?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrder 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow long will a UF cartridge last?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsually 24 to 36 months; replace it earlier if the flow falls off. Real-world life varies with feed water, your setup and daily demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWill it soften my water or lower dissolved minerals?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. The minerals dissolved in your water go straight through UF, so unlike reverse osmosis it neither softens the water nor reduces dissolved solids.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n","brand":"Crystal Quest®","offers":[{"title":"2-7\/8\" x 9-3\/4\" \/ Standard \/ Single","offer_id":60218914734464,"sku":"CQE-RC-04055","price":67.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-7\/8\" x 9-3\/4\" \/ Standard \/ Pack of 2","offer_id":60218914767232,"sku":"CQE-RC-04055-2PK","price":134.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-7\/8\" x 9-3\/4\" \/ Standard \/ Pack of 4","offer_id":60218914800000,"sku":"CQE-RC-04055-4PK","price":268.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-7\/8\" x 20\" \/ Standard \/ Single","offer_id":60218914832768,"sku":"CQE-RC-04056","price":129.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-7\/8\" x 20\" \/ Standard \/ Pack of 2","offer_id":60218914865536,"sku":"CQE-RC-04056-2PK","price":258.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-7\/8\" x 20\" \/ Standard \/ Pack of 4","offer_id":60218914898304,"sku":"CQE-RC-04056-4PK","price":516.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Inline\/Sealed \/ JACO \/ Single","offer_id":60218914931072,"sku":"CQE-RC-04039","price":79.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Inline\/Sealed \/ JACO \/ Pack of 2","offer_id":60218914963840,"sku":"CQE-RC-04039-2PK","price":159.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Inline\/Sealed \/ JACO \/ Pack of 4","offer_id":60218914996608,"sku":"CQE-RC-04039-4PK","price":318.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Inline\/Sealed \/ Quick Connect \/ Single","offer_id":60218915029376,"sku":"CQE-RC-04039Q","price":79.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Inline\/Sealed \/ Quick Connect \/ Pack of 2","offer_id":60218915062144,"sku":"CQE-RC-04039Q-2PK","price":159.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Inline\/Sealed \/ Quick Connect \/ Pack of 4","offer_id":60218915094912,"sku":"CQE-RC-04039Q-4PK","price":318.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Capsule \/ Standard \/ Single","offer_id":60218915127680,"sku":"CQE-RC-04059","price":49.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Capsule \/ Standard \/ Pack of 2","offer_id":60218915160448,"sku":"CQE-RC-04059-2PK","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Capsule \/ Standard \/ Pack of 4","offer_id":60218915193216,"sku":"CQE-RC-04059-4PK","price":198.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1004\/5564\/5568\/files\/2-7-8-x-9-3-4-standard-ultrafiltration-uf-water-filter-membrane-crystal-quest-water-filter-cartridges-1263260512.webp?v=1792956984","url":"https:\/\/aquiowell.com\/products\/ultrafiltration-uf-water-filter-membrane","provider":"Aquiowell","version":"1.0","type":"link"}