Which Micron Rating Really Works For Iron? Why Size Isn't Everything

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

Iron Removal Filters

Got iron in your water? Let's chat about how to tackle that metallic nuisance. We'll break down the magic of micron ratings and dig into different iron-busting systems you might want to line up for your pad.

Understanding Micron Ratings

Micron ratings are like your filter's CV. They tell you what size of troublemakers a filter can catch. Kind of like a bouncer for your water, except the guest list is size-based. A 1-micron filter, for instance, acts like a sieve for particles one micron or larger. Micron knowledge can help you pick wisely:

Micron Rating	Particles That Get Stopped
0.5 micron	Tiny critters: bacteria, cysts, protozoa
1 micron	E. coli, sneaky viruses
5 micron	Bigger bugs like Giardia, some pesky cysts

• 0.5-Micron Filters: Soldier against bacteria and protozoa, perfect for decking out the whole house (SpringWell Water).
• 1-Micron Filters: Wards off parasites and a few viruses, great if you’re getting water from a public system (SpringWell Water).
• 5-Micron Filters: Nabs bigger organisms, ideal for well saviors (SpringWell Water).

Just a heads up—when it comes to iron, these filters typically team up with pals that can zap and trap iron bits before the filtration action even begins. To dig deeper, peek at what micron filter to remove iron.

Types of Iron Removal Systems

Oxidation Filters

These filters are like iron's worst nightmare, turning those sneaky soluble bits into chunks that can't escape. Usually using a splash of oxygen or chemicals to do the trick, they make sure those iron particles are all dressed up to get filtered out.

• SoftPro Iron Master: Uses Air Induction for a knockout punch against iron.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

These bad boys use a special membrane to say "no entry" to contaminants. It’s like a brick wall to iron that also gives hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and odors the boot.

• APEC FI-KDF85-20BB: This filter cartridge not only picks on iron but also tackles stinky hydrogen sulfide and sticky chlorine.

Ion Exchange Filters

The trick here is swapping out those pesky iron ions for sodium ions. Best known for their role in water softening, these filters can lend a hand with iron issues too.

• Generic Ion Exchange Filters: While not an iron specialist, these can help reduce the levels when paired with others.

The winning cocktail for your water woes? It hinges on your unique water situation. Dive into the details at how iron removal filter works.

Factors to Consider

When it comes to picking the right filter to zap that pesky iron out of your water, you’ve got a few things to mull over. Think about what's lurking in your water and the best micron filters to use for your situation.

Water Contaminants and Ratings

Not all water gunk is created equal, and knowing your micron ratings can steer you to the perfect filter. A micron’s a tiny measure—think one-millionth of a meter—that tells you what size bad stuff a filter can handle.

Micron Rating	Contaminants Booted Out
5 microns	Big nuisances like sediment, rust, dirt, and sand
1 micron	Smaller baddies, including certain bacteria and parasites (E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella)
0.5 microns	Teeny-tiny pests, like Cryptosporidium and Giardia

Lower micron ratings mean more power to kick smaller pests to the curb. For instance, a 50-micron filter tackles bigger chunks, while a 1-micron filter handles minuscule bacteria and parasites (Thanks, Freshwater Systems, for setting that straight).

Ideal Micron Filters Based on Water Supply

Your water supply type and the junk in it are key to picking the perfect micron filter. Let's unpack this with some real-world examples:

Well Water

Well water's got its issues—loads of iron and sediments. You can tackle these like so:

Water Trouble	Best Filter Pick
Lotsa Iron	1 to 5-micron iron filters
Sediment Party	5 to 50-micron sediment filters
Bacterial Invasion	0.5 to 1-micron filters

Struggling with iron stains from well water? A handy 1-micron iron removal filter works wonders on iron while cutting back on bacteria and other nasties (shoutout to Frizzlife for the lowdown).

City Water

City water might be treated, but that doesn't mean it’s perfect—think iron from old pipes, chlorine, and sneaky microorganisms.

Water Trouble	Best Filter Pick
Leftover Iron	1 to 5-micron filters
Chlorine Blues	Activated carbon filters
Tiny Germs	0.5 to 1-micron filters

A trusty 1-micron filter teamed up with an activated carbon filter scrubs away those stubborn iron bits and other nasties, making your water that much better to drink.

Finding the right filter set-up based on your water situation ensures you hit the comfort zone. Give a peek at our guide on how to filter iron from water if you're curious for more juicy details.

Examples of Effective Systems

For well water:

• SoftPro AIO Iron Master: Touts Air Injection Oxidation—brilliant at booting out iron.

For city water:

• SoftPro Whole House Catalytic Carbon Filter: Zaps chlorine, chloramine, and troublesome volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

For a deeper dive into solid solutions for home, explore our break-down on how iron removal filters work.

These examples show why getting the right micron filter for your water is critical to nailing down great water quality.