Non-Chemical Oxidizing Filter Systems

[coffeegod]

So I had my water tested yesterday and this guy tells me our calcium content is just over 4x the amount of city water here, and our iron is REALLY high. You fill a small pop bottle and let it sit for 20 mins and it looks like a urine sample :hmpf: We don't drink the stuff, I don't even want to put the kids little swimming pool together because it will look like a swamp.

So we have a water softer that I'm going to try and hook up... no clue what kind it is or anything but hey if it works it will help a little bit. It was given to us.

But my water guy says the softner will help but it won't be good enough for the iron levels. He's trying to sell me on a $1500 CAN. NON-CHEMICAL OXIDIZING FILTER SYSTEMS.

Anyone ever use one of these systems? Is it worth $1500 to "solve all my iron problems" The iron is just so bad though, our tub, toilet.... everything is stained. I don't want to buy new ones just to get stained again. I had to fix the toilet the other day and there was literally about 1/2 of iron buildup coating on everything in that tank. It was pretty gross.

The system he's trying to sell me is from WSH Laboratories LTD. in Calgary Alberta. http://www.wshlabs.com/

Sorry it doesn't give an actual link to the system but on the left hand side you'll see a products link if you care to look at it.

Rick

[Gary Slusser]

If I'm seeing it right, it uses an Erie control valve. Not a good choice IMO. The filter is a Birm filter and you can not use it if there is 'sulfur' in the water.

They seem high at $1500 Can for a Birm filter.

They use air injection, which is not a good choice or, a greensand filter regenerated with potassium permanganate, which is a poison and the water treatment industry in the US is trying to get away from its use.

How much iron and hardness is there in your water.

You can remove iron stains from anything with Iron Out or Super Iron Out bought at grocery and hardware, Lowe's and Home Depot etc. stores.

Is the inside of the toilet tanks slimy/snotty at all?

[coffeegod]

If I'm seeing it right, it uses an Erie control valve. Not a good choice IMO. The filter is a Birm filter and you can not use it if there is 'sulfur' in the water.

They seem high at $1500 Can for a Birm filter.

They use air injection, which is not a good choice or, a greensand filter regenerated with potassium permanganate, which is a poison and the water treatment industry in the US is trying to get away from its use.

How much iron and hardness is there in your water.

You can remove iron stains from anything with Iron Out or Super Iron Out bought at grocery and hardware, Lowe's and Home Depot etc. stores.

Is the inside of the toilet tanks slimy/snotty at all?

He had just tested the water, this wasn't one of those send away to the lab types of deals to find out the actual mineral counts and what not. He just told me my calcium levels were 4x that of city water and the iron was just "really high"The iron is bad enough that my brand new kitchen faucet was so full of iron build up in the screens that the water was barely coming out at all in 6 months. I just ripped it apart last night to clean it out just because it was down to a trickle.

Apparently the whole area/neighborhood I live in has this iron problem. We've bought iron out and all that stuff and yes it does work pretty good but we're pretty tired of scrubbing the stuff. Even our white cloths... well we don't buy white cloths anymore just because they turn orange after a few wash's.

As for the toilet tank I wouldn't really say it's slimy or snotty but if you grab a pile of it it's mushy of course.

Oh yeah... when you have a shower you come out smelling like one of those soapy SOS scrubby pads. It really annoys me.

Here's a picture of the tank the thick buildup was all around the ball**** tower thing that the float ball rod screws in to, top to bottom. That's a brand new one in there right now, see how stained it is already?

Ewwwww! I'm sure everyone wants to see my toilet! :embarassed:

[coffeegod]

That's funny! The forum auto censored my toilet part name, that's really the proper name for them. :laugh: Made me laugh...

[Gary Slusser]

He didn't tell you the actual amount of hardness and iron so it's harder for you to do any comparative shopping. Many dealers/salespeople do that. I tell people to make sure they are given the actual measurements at the time of the test or tell 'em to leave right then; really, show them the door or walk out of the room until they do or leave.

From the looks of the toilet tank you have a sever iron problem. Get a hardness, iron and pH tests and manganese if possible. Then you can get into various types of equipment and correct sizing.

[coffeegod]

Hi Gary, I'll look around and see if I can get a proper water test done here then. I'll try and find out what kind of softer I have sitting downstairs.

Once I can get this iron problem sorted out I want to replace all the supply lines in my house just because there is so much build up in them making a real low water pressure. I sure wonder what my gas water heater looks like inside.

I'll definitely write back when I get the test results.

Thanks Gary.