Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Orange Staining with No Rotten Egg Odor

Hello Nolan,

Thank you for contacting us through our website.  You wrote:

“This is a seasonal lake home in northern Wisconsin.  Iron problem common in Wisconsin.  Orange staining, slightly acidic.  No gelatinous biofilm, no manganese staining, no rotten egg odor.  House has a 3/4 inch line from well, but have not performed the flow rate yet, but do know I have to do that.  Two bedrooms, two bathrooms.  Currently a family of 3, with one on the way.  Weighing options of Pro-Ox (without air but possibly side chlorine tank), or the Pro-Ox air.  Also considering an acid neutralizer filter, and softening down the road.  Wondering if the Enpress vortech tanks are available for all these treatment methods, as we shut down and winterize during the winter months.  Please advise what would be the best options in this scenario.  Also advise if I need to run further lab tests”

Well, I would be inclined to recommend the Pro-OX AIR system because your iron is extreme, at 11.3 mg/L.  We usually say that a standard Pro-OX filter does a good job at taking iron out up to about 5 ppm.  Beyond that, though, usually it needs to be paired with pre-oxidation, either an aeration system or a chlorine injection system, or else it won’t take all the iron out.  So I would think the Pro-OX AIR system would be appealing in your case, because it can handle a lot more iron, usually up to around 10 ppm or more.


The acid neutralizer is a little bit less critical perhaps, because your pH is only a little bit low at 6.8.  It’s more of a concern if you’re working with copper pipes, what kind of plumbing do you have?



Vortech bottom drain tanks are available as an upgrade for all 10 x 54, 1.5 cubic foot systems, which is the size I would recommend for a family of four and 2 bathrooms.  You’ll want to make sure you have at least 10 gpm to work with, which is required for the 1.5 CF iron filter.  If not, then a smaller size would have to do, but it wouldn’t be ideal



Calcite Neutralizer 5900 1.5 CF 




Price includes FREE Shipping & free pH test kit to be sure of correct operation

Includes all Calcite media necessary to get up and running with shipment
Dimensions: 10" diameter x 61" height   ¾" or 1” pipe size bypass is included
Pro-OX Iron Filter 5900e AIR 1.5 CF
Air Charger Pro-OX Iron Filter 5900e AIR 1.5 CF: The Air-Charger AIO Air Injection Oxidizing Filter, as a single tank system, is an efficient and cost effective system for the removal of iron and sulfur.
Click here for more details.











OPTIONAL - Softener 5900 Series, 48K Size          

Includes 1 inch or 3/4 inch pipe connectors; by-pass valve; 1.5 cubic feet of high-grade softener resin; heavy-duty brine tank with salt-grid; and 5900 Series NSF Certified digital metered-regeneration control valve.

Specifications and Features: High-grade softening resin for maximum performance. Filter tank is NSF certified: one piece seamless polyester construction for long life. Max pressure recommended is 100 psi.
Click here for more details.











10” x 48” Tank


Excellent warranty: 10 years on the filter tank; 5 years on the control valve.
Click here for more details.
The Air-Charger AIO maintains an air pocket in the top of the tank while the system is in service.
As the water passes thru the air pocket, iron and sulfur are oxidized.
·         Additionally, dissolved oxygen is added to the water.
·         The Pro-OX solid manganese dioxide filter media bed then removes the iron and sulfur from the water.
·         The Pro-OX 5900 AIR can remove up to 5 ppm Hydrogen Sulfide and up to 10 ppm Iron.
·         A daily backwash will remove accumulated iron and replenish the filter media bed.