Tuesday, April 15, 2014

How To Use Fine Mesh Softener Resin for Iron Removal

Hello,

I have a Culligan softener and it works fine but I have a lot of iron stain problems. Is there any one system that can soften water and filter out iron?

Thanks,
Al

Dear Al,

There is not one system that works well over the long term for both hardness and iron. If the water comes out of the ground crystal clear, with no sulfur odor, and the pH is 7.0 or less, you can use a softener with fine-mesh resin to remove the iron and hardness, as long as some resin-cleaner is used in the brine tank (such as Res-Up, or citric acid).

See below, an iron filter installed before your existing softener is probably the best way to insure clean water over the years. 


iron filter installation diagram
 Here is a diagram of a typical installation. These systems are designed to be easily installed by any plumber or person familiar with basic plumbing:


Air Charger Iron Filters 

Air Charger Iron Filter

An excellent long-lasting and highly effective iron filter is the Air Charger Iron Filter.  This iron filter uses natural air to oxidize the iron and remove odors and does not require any chemicals. 

This type of iron filter maintains an “air pocket” in the top of the tank while the system is in service.  When the iron filter is backwashed, air is drawn into the iron filter tank which creates a pocket of air at the top of the tank. As water enters the iron filter it passes through this layer of air and air is diffused into the water.
 
Air charge iron filters can remove up to 8 ppm Hydrogen Sulfide and up to 7 ppm Iron. A daily backwash will remove accumulated iron and replenish the filter media bed. The regeneration process also adds a fresh air pocket to the system.  

These iron filter systems come equipped with a Fleck 2510SXT air injection control head that automatically backwashes the system daily to clean the media and flush everything down the drain. By utilizing a patented piston in the control valve, the iron filter is able to put the whole oxidation process inside one tank, keeping maintenance costs and down time to a minimum.


Softener 7000-SXT
 
softener 7000-sxt

Softener 7000-SXT

Enjoy scale free fixtures and appliances with soft water.  No more dry skin or dry hair caused by excess minerals in the water!  Save money by using less soap and laundry detergent and extend the life of clothes, water heater and appliances with soft conditioned water with the Fleck 7000-SXT on-demand softener.
 
Well designed and reliable, the Fleck 7000SXT Electronic Meter-Demand Valve provides larger 1-1/4" internal ports for the best flow rates and least pressure drop, making this valve perfect for use in larger homes with 1", 1-1/4", or even 1-1/2" plumbing.  No matter what size home you have, there is less pressure drop through this softener than other residential softeners.

The new 7000-SXT softener uses less salt by monitoring the amount of water used in the house and regenerating only when necessary.  If there is a power failure it can keep the correct time up to 48 hours.  Also, the system keeps time electronically, so the drive motor only runs during regeneration, saving energy and lasting longer than other softeners with standard timer motors.


To browse these systems and more, visit our online store here. For more information about water softeners, iron filters, and a host of other topics, view our FAQ and How-To pages. If you still have questions, feel free to e-mail support@cleanwaterstore.com, drop us a line on Facebook, or use our online contact form for quick, personalized assistance from one of our experienced technicians.

We hope this information has been helpful. Thanks for the letter, Al!