Best Well Water Filters for Removing Iron
While it’s crucial to receive a good amount of iron from vegetables and fruit, it’s a totally different story when your iron supply comes pouring out of your kitchen tap.
Contrary to popular belief, not all well water is pure. In fact, the water in many wells is extremely rich in minerals such as iron, which can alter the smell and taste of the water.
Water that has iron in it can leave reddish stains on every surface it comes in contact with. So if you’ve noticed some ugly stains on your clothes, you know where they likely came from.
If you think your water treatment equipment is safe from iron-rich water, then you’re probably mistaken. What’s the solution? Simple, just remove the iron with an iron filter.
Best Iron Filters for Well Water
Iron filters aren’t only able to remove iron, they can help get rid of hydrogen sulfide, manganese, ferrous iron, and ferric iron. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the top iron filters on the market today.
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Last update on 2024-11-20 at 15:00 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. iSpring WGB32BM
Last update on 2024-11-21 at 00:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The iSpring WGB32BM is a heavy-duty 3-stage filtration system that’s designed to handle highly contaminated water, making it an ideal choice for usage on well water.
This system will help reduce the amount of iron and manganese present in your well water, and at the same time maintain a positive impact on the levels of sediment.
The first filter is a polypropylene filter that’s designed to fight off and prevent dirt and large-sized particles from clogging the filters. The percentage of insoluble contaminants held in this stage is the largest.
The second filter is responsible for blocking soluble contaminants like chlorine and chloramines. It’s also the first of two, 5-micron CTO-activated, block carbon filter. This filter also helps remove odors and bad tastes.
The third filter is where the magic lies. This filter is specifically engineered to hold 99% of metals found in well water sources such as iron and manganese. This is also probably the only filter on the market that specializes in the removal of heavy metals from water.
Another thing that makes this filter stand out is its ability to get rid of arsenic. You can do that by adding 0.5 mg/L of chitosan and 30 mg/L of FeCL3. This helps induce a bonding between iron and arsenic to form a solid compound which can be filtered out.
Each one of the three filters has a multi-layered design that reduces clogs and pressure loss. It’s also large enough (20″ x 4.5″) that it improves the flow rate significantly and eliminates the need for frequent maintenance. 1-inch input and output ports are included too.
The iSpring WGB32BM has a 100,000-gallon capacity. That’s enough to provide your household with clean water for an entire year. However, it means that the lifespan of this filter is fairly short.
To ensure getting the most out of the iSpring WGB32BM, you should avoid installing it in places where it can get in contact with direct sunlight or other forms of heat.
You should also make sure that the maximum water pressure is no more than 80 psi. Otherwise, you’re going to have to install a pressure regulator.
You should examine the filter for any form of damage such as cracks right after opening the box. Lastly, the installation process should be done while electricity and water are switched off.
Pros
- Fantastic value for the money
- The installation process is simple
- Effectively removes metals
- Removes odors and bad taste
Cons
- Pretty steep price tag
- Relatively short lifespan
2. Aquasana Whole House Filter
Last update on 2024-11-20 at 15:00 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
See the full Aquasana filter review.
We’re mainly looking at the 500,000-gallon model of the Whole House Filter. Aquasana is a very reliable brand when it comes to water filters and you can’t go wrong with any of their products.
This water filter features a sterilizing UV light system and a salt-free softener that work in unison to provide water that’s free of impurities and safe to drink.
The Aquasana filter is comprised of two tanks. The top tank is housing a KDF55 medium, which is a mix of copper and zinc mineral alloy in 55% and 45% respectively. This tank is responsible for reducing water-soluble heavy metals, along with chlorine.
Also found in the top tank is a crushed mineral-filter stone that improves the water’s PH level. It also helps control scale. The top tank is also responsible for preventing the growth of algae and bacteria.
The bottom tank contains an activated and carbonized coconut shell forum which significantly reduces the presence of any chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.
As far as the quality of the water, it’s clean and completely free of odor and taste. However, this may not be the product for you if you’re looking for a soft texture to the water because this filter only works as a descaler that prevents the buildup of mineral scale.
If your mind is set on buying this filter but you still want water with a softer texture, then you may want to consider installing a separate softener as an add-on.
The NAC salt-free technology helps protect your skin and hair from the negative effects of hard water, along with your appliances. And since there’s no salt involved in the filtration process, the taste and odor of the water remain unchanged.
The great thing about the Aquasana filter is that it’s backed by a 5-year warranty. You can also test it for up to 90 days and still get a full refund if it doesn’t live up to your expectations.
Pros
- 500,000 gallons ensure great longevity
- Does a great job of eliminating metals
- The maintenance is quick and easy
- It’s able to reduce up to 97% chlorine
Cons
- Water texture remains hard
- Unable to get rid of fluoride (here are some filters that can)
3. AFWFilters Air Injection Platinum 15
Last update on 2024-11-20 at 15:00 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a rather obscure filter that only came to our attention very recently, but we were surprised by how competent it is at getting rid of heavy metals.
The Air Injection Platinum 15 is the ideal filter for households of more than 4 people. It’s also the ideal choice to go with if you happen to have more than 3 bathrooms in your house.
This filtration system is capable of removing sulfur, manganese, and our dear friend iron without the need to use any chemicals whatsoever and without the need for you to add any. The system is completely automatic in its operation.
It’s able to remove up to 17 ppm of sulfur, 11 ppm of manganese, and 27 ppm of iron. How? The filter’s tank is packed with 3 bags of filox media that traps the oxidized metal and gets rid of it in the backwash cycle.
Note that this may be the heaviest filtration system on this list because the filox media filling the tank would weigh around 200 pounds when fully loaded.
How does the treatment process take place? The design of the Air Injection Platinum 5 allows it to create a pocket of air positioned at the top of the tank so that it oxidizes the contaminants and it becomes easy to filter them out.
There are a number of perks to such a design. The first being that the entire treatment process takes place in one tank. This also eliminates the need for a pump and reduces wear on the filter.
The 2510 valve features a digital SXT controller for automatic backwashing which provides ease of use and the less frequent need for maintenance.
With moderate use, the full filox tank is designed to last for 5 years. The package includes a rise with a distributor, 2510 SXT air injection head, 1-inch bypass valve, and the filox media.
Pros
- An ideal filter for larger households
- The system is completely automatic
- Highly efficient at removing metals
- Designed to last up to 5 years
Cons
- The installation process takes time
- Requires a professional to install
4. DURAWATER Iron Filter
Last update on 2024-11-20 at 15:00 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The ABCwaters filtration system is an iron filter and a water softener all in one. The system gets rid of any water buildup and eliminates the presence of iron and manganese from water.
This is also another filtration system that’s great for larger households or houses with more than 3 bathrooms. The 14″ x 14″ x 34″ brine tank can hold up to 250 lbs of salt.
The ABCwaters filtration system features a Fleck 5600 SXT control head. This metered valve is pretty easy to read and it measures your water usage before it automatically regenerates.
One feature that makes this filter unique is the Scan and Service App, which allows you to know important information about the softener. It also allows access to configuration details, technical documentation, troubleshooting manual, and spare parts.
The system comes with a fine mesh resin that’s designed to remove iron and a brine tank that’s there to soften your water and prevent scale buildup. The ABCwaters filter is able to remove up to 6 ppm of manganese and 8 ppm of iron. In addition to sand, sediment, and rust.
The great thing about this filtration system is that it’s pretty easy to install. The included manual takes you step by step through the installation process. Additionally, it’s one of the easiest filters to use on this list and one of the most affordable ones.
If only some of its components weren’t made of cheap plastic like the bypass valve and the float assembly in the brine tank, it would have been a perfect iron filter. Regardless, still a high-quality filtration system.
Pros
- Great filtration system for large households
- The installation process is pretty simple
- Gets rid of iron and manganese effectively
- Softens the water to prevent scale buildup
Cons
- Some cheap plastic parts here and there
- The instructions can use some improvements
5. AFWFilters Iron Pro 2
Last update on 2024-11-20 at 15:00 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This titanic filtration system is a combination of water softener and iron filter that leaves no room for iron, manganese, or calcium in your well water. It’s also a highly affordable filtration system.
You won’t require any professional help to install and use this filtration system. Additionally, it will only regenerate when needed, so that the filter’s lifespan is extended. This also helps it perform more efficiently.
The Iron Pro 2 is equipped with Fleck’s 5600 SXT control head, which allows you to control how much filtered and softened water you’ll need using meter-based regeneration. The filter has the ability to treat 12 gpm for water that’s free of impurities.
The Iron Pro 2 is available in 5 models: 32,000-grain, 40,000-grain, 48,000-grain, 64,000-grain, and 80,000-grain. Each model is different from the others in terms of weight and dimensions as well. The filter is also available in a variety of colors.
There have been numerous complaints about how hard it is to load the softener tank with resin, which is weird because the filter comes with a funnel that allows you to just pour the resin in, so make sure that you use it.
This is a great filtration system to have if you suffer from extreme iron and calcium problems. It will help improve the quality and taste of your water, while eliminating hard water deposits. Very highly recommended.
Pros
- Highly affordable price tag
- Very easy to install and use
- Available in various sizes
- A water filter and a softener
Cons
- Water flow isn’t the greatest
- Not the fastest filtration process
Things to Consider
Hold your horses! Where do you think you’re going? Before heading out to buy an iron filter, you need to know that not all filters are created equal. To ensure getting the best bang for your buck, there are a few factors that you need to take into consideration.
Water Test
The first thing you need to do before proceeding to buy a water filter is test the water that enters your household to determine the type of impurities that contaminate it. Just because you know that there’s iron in your water doesn’t mean that any iron filter will do.
You need to know what type of iron is in your water. Different types of iron include ferric, ferrous, and organic iron. It’s also advised to test for hydrogen sulfide, manganese, and iron bacteria. It also helps to find out the water’s pH, alkalinity, and temperature so that you can choose a filter accordingly.
Filtration Capacity
The capacity of a filter determines the amount of water it can purify before it needs replacement. Not to state the obvious, but the higher the capacity of the filter the better, as you won’t need to change the cartridge for extended periods of time, reducing your expenses in the long run.
You may not need a filter with a large capacity if you’re living alone, but if your household has 4 people or more, or if you have more than 3 bathrooms in your house, you just can’t go for a filter with low capacity.
Water Flow
Different water filters will produce different amounts of filtered water. While smaller households will be able to manage with a flow rate of 10 gpm (gallons per minute), larger ones certainly won’t.
If you’re aware of your typical consumption rate and how much volume you’d need at the same time, it’s crucial to buy a unit that’s capable of producing a higher flow rate.
On a side note, a typical bathroom faucet uses up to 1.5 gpm. A shower head won’t usually go over 2.5 gpm. The typical kitchen faucet usually tends to use up to 2.2 gpm.
Microns Rating
The effectiveness of a full-house water filter is measured in microns. 1 micron is a thousandth of a millimeter. Ideally, you should be looking for a filter with a small micron rating, as that indicates a more effective filtration process.
For instance, a water filter that has a micron rating of around 50 and that’s designed to get rid of contaminants in the water such as rust and sand won’t be that effective against substances like lead and fluoride
The thing about micron ratings is that the lower rating a filter has, the lower its flow rate, and so if you’re aiming to get a water filter with a super low micron rating, it’s highly advised to install a booster pump as well.
Filter Size
The average filter system isn’t going to cause you a hassle when it comes to space. However, a whole-house filtration system tends to be quite large and requires plenty of space, so make sure that you have sufficient space for installation and maintenance if you’re going to buy one.
Conclusion
All of the above-mentioned filtration systems are highly effective and will surely get the job done. Your choice is mainly going to depend on what type of investment you want to make.
For people who are going to rely on well water for a short period of time, the iSpring WGB32BM is a great short-term investment.
However, for people who are well rooted in their region and rely heavily on wells, the Aquasana Whole House Filter is the ideal choice.
Hopefully, the information we’ve provided today was able to help you make your decision. Let us know which one of the above-mentioned products you think is the best.
