I've just bought a shower filter, which is designed to fit between the fixed shower pipe coming out of the wall in the shower cubicle and the shower head.

The shower filter I've bought is the one below, and the tab which shows the filter in use clearly shows it in situ between a shower pipe and shower head.

http://www.pureshowers.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=29&osCsid=a8dtqdg73e5v456088bhdo9hn2

My own shower differs a bit from the one shown, it's a pipe of about a foot long coming straight out of the wall, a bit lower down than the one shown, and it currently has quite a heavy rainfall type shower head.

I tested the filter in situ and aside from lowering the shower head quite a bit and having a leak which I'd fix with plumber's tape, it seems to work OK.

My only concern is whether the extra weight could cause the shower pipe to snap or start leaking, so I've currently taken it off whilst I seek advice. It didn't buckle the pipe in the 20 minutes or so I had it attached.

If it did break the shower pipe, would this mean the tiles would need to be removed to fix it, or is it the case that a new shower pipe could be fitted at the connection between the horizontal pipe coming out of the wall, and the vertical piper behind the wall.

I don't really want to buy a new lighter shower head too, as the rainfall one is really good.

Sorry, the link goes to their home page, the filter is the 8 stage luxury shower filter.

The weight of that device should not be a problem.

Many thanks hkstroud, the filter is certainly lighter than the shower head, but you still worry (the straw that broke the camel's back and all that).

If there was too much weight, would it be apparent immediately or could the arm buckle later on?

If it did break, is it the case that you'd just have to replace the arm in the exposed fitting, or have to get behind the tiled wall?

I wouldn't worry too much here as long as the drop eared L in the wall (the part the shower arm threads into) was correctly anchored and there is no "wiggle" in the shower arm itself. The added weight of the filter should pose no problems, but in the case that it did, it could be a simple repair, or a wall opening experience. All depends on what gives way, the shower arm threads, or the drop L. Now, all that being said, I have seen the soap, shampoo, etc, holders than hang off the shower arm that are loaded to the hilt (more weight than any rain shower head and filter plus five pounds, and they always seem to slide down to the shower head, so weight distribution is about the same (all out towards the shower head vs in close to the wall) with no problems to speak of. I say you are good to go.

A shower arm is a chrome plated copper pipe, at least in the US. I assume the same in UK.
I only ever seen one broken one. The story I was told was that a 200 pound man standing on the edge of the bath tub, lost his balance and grabbed it to keep from falling. Not sure I believe that story.

It will not break easily.

Ok thanks to all who responded.

The pipe coming out of the wall looks secure, there's a very slight bit of movement when you adjust the position of the shower head but it's certainly not loose.

Also, even though my shower head is quite heavy, I've seen ones that are much heavier than my shower head and filter together would be.

I guess they wouldn't fit things that couldn't take the weight of the shower heads etc one can buy.

Thanks again.