One of the most sought-after activated carbon systems, the Aquasana Rhino 10-Year, 1,000,000 Gallon Whole House Water Filter has a lot going for it. Here are the pros and cons of this whole home water filter.
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Aquasana Rhino
Highlights: Robust, low maintenance whole home water filtration system with easy filter changes and excellent certifications.
- PFAS and PFOA free
- Longer lifespan and easy maintenance
- UV lamp
- Whole house solution
- Optional add-ons
- Easier installation than many systems
- Full system isn’t NSF certified (although component parts are)
- Very large
- A little pricey (but on par with similar systems)
Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 at a glance:
Made in: USA (Texas)
Filters: All common contaminants, depending on the set-up
Certifications: component parts carry NSF Standard 53 (Class B) and NSF Standard 42
There’s a lot to love about the Aquasana Rhino. This comprehensive system is very low maintenance, has quality parts that are unlikely to need replacing, includes a sediment pre-filter, a water softener cylinder, activated carbon filters, and a UV Sterilight. Aquasana offers various iterations of this system, so you can pick and choose to meet the particular needs of your home and health.
The Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 complete package includes:
- A filtration tank
- SimplySoft tank
- 20-inch pre-filter
- Sub-micron post-filter
- Brass fittings
- Bend supports
- Shut-off valves for a bypass loop and easier filter changes
- Fittings for 3/4-inch pipe.
What we like about the Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000
This Aquasana water filter system has a 5-stage filtration process that removes or reduces at least 75 contaminants including lead, mercury, and pesticides.
Thanks to UV Sterilight Filtration, this system also addresses microbial contamination, removing 99.99% of viruses and bacteria like e-coli and chlorine resistant cysts like giardia and cryptosporidium. This makes it ideal for anyone on a well-water system or anyone living somewhere where boil warnings are common.
Although the Aquasana Rhino isn’t NSF certified as a whole, it uses the same activated carbon filter components and media as the EQ-600 system which is certified to NSF Standard 42.
The EQ-1000 model boasts filters with more media than the EQ-600, meaning they last longer between filter changes.
The Rhino’s activated carbon filter system has also been tested by PACE analytical laboratory and shown to remove 97.4% of chlorine. The UV lamp used in this model also appears to be the same as those in the Viqua UV systems that are NSF Standard 53 Class B certified.
Aquasana designed the Rhino system to reduce or remove:
- pesticides
- herbicides
- VOCs
- rust
- silt
- sediment
- water soluble metals
- industrial solvents.
The Aquasana Rhino also has a unique upflow, dual tank design that increases water contact time with contaminant grabbing media and prevents clogging or media channeling. There is no draining, back flushing, or water waste with this unit and it is guaranteed for one million gallons or 10 years.
The Rhino also boasts a Sub-Micron Post-Filter for extra protection from organic particles and microscopic cysts.
Salt-free descaling (that doesn’t strip essential minerals)
The dual tank Simply Soft salt-free descaler included in the Rhino provides scale prevention for the entire house without the use of chemicals or salt. This helps to protect home appliances and plumbing by reducing the adverse effects of excess iron and scale.
Aquasana Simply Soft uses innovative Scale Control Media (SCM) softening technology to naturally condition water without the use of added sodium. It works by altering the structure of the hard minerals so they cannot bind together and form scale build-up.
Unlike salt-based water descalers, this system does not demineralize water or dump excessive sodium into communal water systems.
Downsides to the Aquasana Rhino
There are only two downsides I can see to the Aquasana Rhino. The first is the cost, which is a lot more than a countertop water filter or a unit that covers one faucet only. That said, the Rhino is very well priced for the comprehensive coverage it provides.
The other downside is that because this system is very comprehensive, it is also quite large. The Rhino, complete with all add-ons, measures some 9 x 46 x 69 inches. That might make it a bit tricky to fit in some homes.
Check your measurements carefully, especially if you’re going for the complete system with UV light and descaler rather than just the basic Rhino package.
Aquasana Rhino vs. iSpring WGB32B and WGB32BM
The Aquasana Rhino 10-Year system is one of the most comprehensive whole home water filtration systems available. The individual parts are certified for their respective functions, and it’s a great all-in-one system that is easy to install and low maintenance.
Because the Rhino is a complete system, the activated carbon filters, UV filters, descaler, and other parts are designed to work together. To get the same set-up from another brand, such as iSpring, you’re going to have to figure out how to fit everything together yourself.
If you’re a stickler for certifications and still want a complete system, though, go for the iSpring WGB32B (View Price on Walmart) or WGB32BM (View Price on Walmart) and pair it with a certified UV system and water softener.
Finally, if your water is pre-treated and doesn’t need the microbial UV filter, the Rhino is likely overkill. Instead, choose the much less expensive iSpring as both this and the Aquasana deliver excellent performance with great customer support.
I have Township Municipal Water and it use to smell like ammonia sometimes and sometimes a strong chlorine smell ! When the toilet wasn’t used for a day or two a light oily film was floating in the bowl and a black line started to ring around the bowl Gross!!
I contacted Aquasana and bought a Rhino whole house system and I now have the best water in the development. Thank you Aquasana.