Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Test for tannins?

How does one do a home test for tannins? I had a lab test done a year ago and it came out 0.3 mg/L and it took three weeks to get results.

I did fill up a clean white 3 gallon bucket with raw well water a few days ago. It was tan-yellow and cloudy.

Is there a chemical I can buy that when dumped into the bucket will indicate tannins or clear it up, so I can be sure what I am dealing with?

There is also red clay sediment in the water and some iron, about 0.41 mg/L. This is not helpful when looking for tannins.

I know about Iron Out or Rust Out that will clear up water that has iron in it. What is in that product, anyway?

Thanks

Here is the standard test. I don't come across tani=nins in my area so i don't know hopw much it costs.

http://www.lamotte.com/pages/domwat/testkits.html

Andy Christensen

Thank you Andy! You da MAN !

It is Lamotte code 7306, about $63.

I ordered the kit but it is NIS and will take two weeks to send off.

Another outfit, Clarkson Lab sells the same kit, but they did not have in stock.

Thanks again

Once you determine that you have tannis what is your plan? There are some effective ways of dealing with. let me know.

Andy Christensen

Andy C:

I'm pretty sure we have tannins per the lab report. It is probably a seasonal concern. We live on 2+ acres heavily wooded with oak and conifers. I am guessing after the rain stops and the dry season begins there will be no more tannins until the rainy season starts.

My chatting with various water pros and well drillers reveals that anion exchange will do fine. Some recommend chlorination. Not sure about this. Some advise a flocculant (alum?). Dunno.

I wanted to use a large pore wood or peat charcoal cartridge filter. Most everyone is saying "it won't work" or "you will have to change your filter quite often" Can't locate a mfr or dealer of a 4" x 20" charcoal filter of this type anyway. Lots of coconut filters and GAC, but not specifically what I am looking for. If I could find this type cartridge and change it out once a month for $5 to $10 I might do this.

If I go with an anion exchange unit and don't want to use it during the dry season, there could be a build up of bacteria, mold or whatever in the tank for this period of time. (Or I just keep on backwashing anyway).

The iron in our water (0.41) when combined with the tannins are going to complicate our filtration approach. Cuno told me that no matter which unit is first in line, iron or tannin, the second unit's media will quickly foul up.

One thing still confuses me about sodium or potassium regeneration units: The valve will shoot some brine into the tank and then out the drain line away from the property. Will the valve then backwash the media with fresh water and rinse away any residual salts and send it to the drain line?

OK, time for a cold one. Thanks for your help so far.