General Water Filtration FAQ's---------------------------------------

How do I know when to change out my sediment filter?

The best fool-proof way to know when to change your sediment filter is by pressure drop. Installing a pressure gauge on the inlet and outlet of the filter housing will allow you to calculate the pressure drop across the filter. Once the pressure drop reaches 15 psi, it is recommended that the sediment filter be changed out. For example: if you have 60 psi on the inlet of the filter housing and 45 psi on the outlet then you have a 15 psi pressure drop and should think about changing your filter. If you do not have pressure gauges installed, the next best way is to go by the feel of the pressure of your water. Once you start to notice a pressure drop in your water then it is probably time to change it out.

How do I remove the sulfur or "rotten egg" smell from my water?

Removing sulfur that has a "rotten egg" smell from your water will depend on the levels of hydrogen sulfide present. Please view the options below to see what will fit your needs best.

• Install a cartridge filter: This option is only effective on low levels of hydrogen sulfide, usually less than 1 mg/l. It has been our experience that some carbon filters may effectively for months, where other may only last for days. We have found a more effective cartridge is one with KDF-85 media and activated carbon mixed together. You can perform a search for KDF-85 on our website to find these cartridges. KDF-85 media is also capable of removing up to 3 mg/l (3 ppm) of iron in your water as well.

• Install an oxidizing filter: Installing an oxidizing filter such as a manganese greensand filter can be effective for hydrogen sulfide livels up to 6 mg/l. Manganese Greensand is capable of reducing hydrogen sulfide, iron and manganese. The hydrogen sulfide is reduced by oxidation o insoluble sulfur precipitate. These precipitates are then filtered and removed by backwashing.

• Install a chemical feed system: Using a chemical feed system can work for hydrogen sulfide levels exceeding 6 mg/l. Chlorine is a typical chemical injected into the water supply line or storage tank. When proper contact time has ensued, te oxidizing chemical changes the hydrogen sulfide to sulfur, which can then be removed through a manganese greensand filter. Any remaining chlorine can then be removed through carbon filtration.

How do I remove iron from my water?

This answer depends on what type of iron you have in your water. Iron can be found in 2 separate forms in your water, either in the ferrous or ferric state. To find out what type of iron may be present in your water see their descriptions below.

• Ferrous Iron: Your water is clean when drawn out but changes to a yellow or rusty color after sitting in a sink, toilet or shower. Ferrous iron it totally dissolved in water and has not yet been exposed to oxygen and therefore has not oxidized. A sediment or carbon filter cannot remove ferrous iron as it simply passes right through the filter. The way to remove iron from your water is through oxidization. If you have smaller amounts or iron in your water, 3 ppm or below, you can try using either a Pentek RFFE20-BB filter or an Aries AF-20-2215-BB filter. If you have higher levels of iron in your water, you will then need to pursue a more aggressive treatment form.

• Ferric Iron: Ferric iron has a red rusty appearance when it is drawn. You can visually see the iron ions in the water. This type of iron is not dissolved in the water but rather suspended in solution. Ferric iron can be removed by simple sediment filtration in most applications, however ferric iron is almost always accompanied by ferrous iron. In some applications you may need to use large capacity, automatic backwashing filter for proper removal of ferric iron.

What is a micron rating?

A micron rating is a way of indicating the ability of the filter to remove contaminants by the size of the particles. The smaller the micron rating, the more particles that will be removed. For example a 1-micron filter will remove more particles from the water then a 25-micron filter would.

When should I change out my carbon filter?

Every carbon filter is rated for a certain number of gallons and this value can be found on each product page. If you do not have a way of measuring the amount of gallons run through the filter, we recommend changing your carbon filter every 6-12 months as carbon beds are fertile grounds for bacteria growth. 

You may need to change a carbon filter sooner than 6 months if you notice a smell or taste return to your water. Once the smell or taste returns we recommend that you change out your carbon filter. Also the majority of carbon filters are not designed to filter out large amounts of sediment, so they may prematurely plug up with sediment is a pre-sediment filter is not placed in line in front of the carbon filter. If your carbon filter plugs up with sediment, you will lose water pressure and will need to change it out as well

Do I need a new o-ring?

It is not necessary to change your o-ring every time you change your filter. However, you should have a spare o-ring on hand incase there is a leak when changing out your filter. The time to change your o-ring is when you are not able to seal your housing when changing a filter, or f you visually inspect the o-ring and see some sort of deficiency with it. When changing o-rings you should also use an o-ring lubricant on it, such as a Dow 111 product found on our website.

What type of lubricant should I use on my o-ring?

We recommend that Dow Corning 111 O-Ring Silicone Lubricant be used on all o-rings. Dow 111 is food and beverage safe and approved by the FDA and NSF.

Do I need to buy the same brand of water filter every time I order a new filter?

You do not need to purchase the same brand of filter you are currently using. There are just a few different manufacturers out there, and these filters are often relabeled under different names. The most important thing is to ensure you are purchasing the correct size filter for the housing you have. If you need any help in selecting the proper filter, or cross referencing a different brand filter, please contact us for assistance.

Can I replace my 10" big blue sump with a 20" big blue sump?

The answer to this is typically yes. As long as the sumps you are exchanging are of the same brand then there is no problem. We sell Pentek housings and all 10" Pentek big blue sumps can be replaced with 20" Pentek big blue sumps with no problem. However, there are some brands that do not match up with the Pentek style housing.

Water Softening FAQ's------------------------------------------------