Water containing high levels of iron and manganese can be unpleasant both in taste and appearance, often causing staining of baths, fixtures, irrigation systems, sidewalks, walkways and clothes. Drinking water with elevated manganese levels can, in the long term, cause a manganese build-up in your system.

How Does A Iron Filter Work? The Iron Max from RainDance effectively removes iron, rust, manganese, sediment, turbidity (cloudy water) and associated tastes and odors from the well water supply to the home. Iron filters also reduce color, resulting in sparking fresh, clean water from every tap in the home. The RainDance Iron Max requires regular backwashing to flush accumulated sediment/ iron and other contaminants to drain (Ask us how to reuse the iron filter drain water) Regular backwashing will keep the filter bed clean and ensure that the filter continues to operate to its optimum efficiency. Backwashing should be for 10-15 minutes minutes, 1 to 2 times a week (depending on water quality) and can be initiated either manually or automatically. The RainDance automatic backwashing models are preferred by most families and irrigation applications and are usually set to backwash in the early hours of the morning when the filter is not in use.

 What maintenance is required for the Iron Filter? The Iron Max is considered a maintenance-free system because it does not require any routine filter changes and there are no chemicals or salt to add. This system uses automatic backwashing to clean the filter media which also prevents low pressure and low flow problems.

If the Iron Filter does not use chemicals or sodium, what does it use? Just water is needed for backwashing! The Iron Max System will oxidize and absorb iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide gas from your water and trap it within the filter using media that utilizes an oxidation-reduction reaction and filtration process. Approximately every 1-5 days*, the automatic control valve will initiate a backwash cycle for approximately 10-15 minutes and rinse the trapped particles down a drain or elsewhere. The system will then automatically re-set itself to backwash for another 1-5 days*. In most cases, the backwash water can be reused for areas like irrigation since there are no harmful chemicals or salts in the water. *Backwash intervals depend on water chemistry and usage.

How long does the Iron Filter last? The entire system does not need to be replaced, just the filter media. This media is designed to last up to 8-10 years depending on water chemistry and usage. When the media is spent you can simply remove the old media and load new media into your system for continued years of service.

How is the iron filter media replaced? Replacing the media only requires a few simple steps – disconnect the valve from the plumbing, remove the valve from the tank, remove the old media from the tank, then refill the tank with new media. Removing old media can be done by dumping the tank or using a wet & dry vacuum.