Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - andyC

I have had problems in the past quite similar to the other OP. I have had some success with manual chlorination but when you stated what you did, it made me wonder if there is a process that would yield better results or cause less problems than I was experienceng.

also, if you know about filtration systems; what do you think of a greensand/activated charcoal/gravel filter. What results would one derive from it and where can the media needed be found.

I have had problems in the past quite similar to the other OP. I have had some success with manual chlorination but when you stated what you did, it made me wonder if there is a process that would yield better results or cause less problems than I was experienceng.

also, if you know about filtration systems; what do you think of a greensand/activated charcoal/gravel filter. What results would one derive from it and where can the media needed be found.

Thanks

Not wanting to put the cart before the horse, let me ask you a few questions first. Rather than asking what a certain piece of equipment or method will do, why not describe what problems you have, tests you have conducted and any symptoms you've noticed?

Let's take it step by step so as not to overlap or understate and advice, suggestions, or recommendations.

Are you talijg about mixing greensand, gravel and carbon in the same tank? One result, of course, would be a drop in water pressure. But that's not what you are after, right.

Again, let me know what issues you are addressing.

Can you describe, step-by-step, what you mean by 'manual chlorination'? What were you trying to solve? were the results satisfactory, and if so, for how long? Do you currently have treatmetn equipment? What types and how old.

There are many more questions to ask but get through these first, if you may.\\Thanks,
Andy Christensen, CWS-II

the reason I ask about the specific media is I do some work for a small town and that is what they use to filter their water. I have seen a small Culligan filter that I believe uses similar media but that is the only one I have seen in the DIY market. Just curious what the benefits or downside to this type of filter is.

and yes, the media is more or less free floating in the filter tanks. I presume they have a seive similar to what a pool filter would use to restrain the sand.
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So, I have the hydrogen sulfide smell. Not bad at this time but it does get worse, occasionally. (maybe I'm just getting used to it)

I had my water tested once and they said iron was very low. Not sure I believe him.

Toilet tanks have a slimy brown film

water is hard (especially when it is frozen:D ) I get the trypical mineral build up on the faucet nozzles.

No current filtration or softener.

manual chlorination; dumping some chlorine in the well. qty; unknown.

run inside supply enough to be sure chlorine is in all lines. Let set overnight.

next day, let outside silcock run until majority of chlorine appears to be gone and then flush lines inside.

I have a septic system so I didn't want to run all that water in to the tank and didn't want to run anymore chlorine in to the tank than I had to to to just flush the inside lines.

As I mentioned, I avoid greensand filter (using potassium permanganate--purple solution) as it is only marginally effective and the service guys hate working with it.

I have never heard mixing it with any other media except gravel. It may not even be the cheapest but plumbers may suggest it.

Floating media...? There was a floating media introduced a decade or so ago and the filter ran in a upflow direction and backwashed downward. In theory, it should work very well but again, if there are too many service calls it is counter productive.
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5232586.html

"very low" iron is not a clear definition. What is low to one may be unbearable to another. Over 0.2ppm (seems low, doesn't it) can cause stains.

Well chlorination is not complicated but it is no guaranty to permanently solve the problem. Some need to do it over again and still have problems. I would never recommend it for sulfur because it will come back very soon.

Be sure to by-pass all water treatment equipment.

Pour a specific amount of bleach down the well, and run a garden hose down the well for about 20 minutes. The run all the hot water taps in the house till you smell bleach, then cold. You may need to pour another gallon and let it sit over night.

Next day. Run the water as you did out in a safe place. Then flush all the cold, then the hot. Use only unscented bleach.


Let me know if this helped,
Andy Christensen, CWS-II

http://www.watertechonline.com/upload/Articles/2003/11/F11S02at500.gif

Here is a drawing of a filter quite similar to the one I spoke of.
the one I am familiar with is a downflow filter, upflow flush.

My mistake though. They do use anthracite rather than activated charcoal.