Discover the Best Types of Iron Filters for Water Today

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

Types of Iron Filters

Got water with a stubborn iron streak, and you're tired of the rust stains and that odd metallic aftertaste? Iron filters might just become your new best friend.

They work wonders, keeping pesky iron at bay and getting rid of those unwelcome smells. Join us as we peek into the various types you can choose from.

Basic Types of Iron Filters

Let’s kick it off with the sturdy basics: BIRM, MGS (Green Sand), and Potassium Permanganate systems.

• BIRM Filters: A trusty sidekick in your iron-fighting journey, BIRM (Burgess Iron Removal Media) filters tackle iron without any harsh chemicals, which means you save on costs and maintenance.
  
  It’s like having a tiny but mighty hero handling your iron issues.
  
  

  

• MGS (Green Sand) Filters: These filters pack a punch with manganese green sand that takes down not just iron, but its equally annoying buddies, manganese and hydrogen sulfide.
  
  The trick? It’s all in the magic sprinkle of potassium permanganate.
  
  

• Potassium Permanganate Systems: Equipped with a draw-only valve and a 30-gallon tank full of a potent potassium permanganate brew, they’re similar to MGS filters.
  
  These systems are fantastic for dealing with tough iron strains but just a heads-up, a bit of TLC and maintenance is part of the deal.
  
  

Type	Media Used	Regeneration Method	Suitable for
BIRM Filters	BIRM	No chemicals needed	Cost-effective solutions for basic iron, manganese removal
MGS (Green Sand) Filters	Manganese Green Sand	Potassium Permanganate	Effective for iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide; moderate maintenance required
Potassium Permanganate Systems	Green Sand + Permanganate	Potassium Permanganate solution	Effective for high iron and manganese; regular maintenance and chemical handling needed

Catalytic Carbon Filters

Catalytic carbon filters are like the Swiss Army knife of water purifiers. They tackle a bunch of different water troubles, becoming an essential part of home water care.

• Removal of Chlorine and Chloramines: With a nifty chemical reaction, catalytic carbon turns those pesky chloramines into harmless chloride. There goes the smell - poof!.
  
  

• Hydrogen Sulfides: Funky odors, begone! These filters break down sulfur compounds, leaving your water smelling fresh and clean.
  
  

• Iron and Manganese: Sure, they can be a pain, but catalytic carbon filters aren’t afraid of iron compounds. Plus, they give your water softening system a nice boost, saving you some bucks on salt.
  
  

By heating catalytic carbon to super-hot temperatures, it becomes super reactive and snares more bad stuff than your average filter.

It's pretty nifty if you ask us.

Contaminant	Catalytic Carbon Filters Effectiveness
Chlorine	High
Chloramines	High
Hydrogen Sulfides	High
Iron & Manganese	High
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)	High

Once you know what’s out there, choosing the perfect iron filter for your home hardly feels like rocket science.

Whether it’s tap or well water, the right choice can make all the difference, keeping your water tasty and your household free from those irritating iron troubles.

Iron Filter Technologies

MGS Filtration Systems

Let's chat about MGS filtration setups—they're like nifty little under-the-sink wizards for sorting out iron-heavy water easily.

Using Manganese Greensand tricks, these systems transform dissolved iron into a solid version and kick it out through good old-fashioned mechanical means.

Your trusty media options? Grab Manganese Greensand, Birm, MTM, multimedia, or just plain sand.

Filter Media	Description
Manganese Greensand	Turns iron into a solid for easy removal
Birm	Boosts reactions to oust iron and manganese
MTM	Evicts iron, manganese, and that rotten egg smell
Multimedia	Mix of materials for top-tier filtering work
Sand	Handles dirt and other bits with basic finesse

These setups are superheroes for homes battling high iron levels.

Regular TLC like backwashing and swapping out the media as needed keeps them on top of their game. Families dealing with iron fluctuations during different seasons really dig MGS systems.

Catalytic Carbon vs. Activated Carbon

Got a knack for nosy water filtration? Catalytic carbon and activated carbon are your tag-team duo for that, each with their special skills.

Feature	Activated Carbon	Catalytic Carbon
Surface Area	Over 4,200 sq. meters per gram	Big surface and extra punch for chemical reactions
Removal Capability	Sucks up chlorine and usual suspects	Wipes out chloramines, handles hydrogen sulfide
Treatment Process	Larger surface for grabbing onto stuff	Heat-treated for beefier chemical tasks
Maintenance	Swap out regularly	Long-lasting with periodic backwashing
Best For	Ditching chlorine and usual offenders	Kicks out chloramines and iron, jazzes up taste and smell

Catalytic carbon is your go-to for city water systems, working magic on chloramines by morphing them into harmless stuff. Activated carbon, meanwhile, loves scrubbing chlorine away.

For folks on well water, catalytic carbon also tackles hydrogen sulfide, ensuring your water tastes and smells decent.

Both carbon types have important roles, helping to serve you that pristine, safe H2O you've been craving.