Iron Filter Types Revealed and Why Most People Get It Completely Wrong

Written by Craig "The Water Guy" Phillips

Types of Iron Filters

Alright, folks, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of choosing the best buddy to tackle that iron-laden water of yours.

We’ve got two big shots in the ring: sediment filters and oxidizing filters that duke it out against cloudy and red iron water.

Sediment Filters for Iron Removal

These filters are like the bouncers at the water club.

They kick out any solid rust particles that try to sneak into your H2O hub.

But, if the iron's dissolved and floating around in the water, they aren’t much help.

They’re more of a game-changer for red water iron, the stuff turning your aqua into orange punch.

Oxidizing Filters for Clear and Red Water Iron

Oxidizing filters are like the Swiss army knives in the water treatment world.

They tackle both the invisible and visible iron with true finesse.

These things hustle by turning dissolved iron into particles, making them filterable. 

Check out the Terminox®—it’s a beast at oxidizing and filtering iron, and it doesn’t stop there. It can even deal with those stinky odors sneaking in from hydrogen sulfide too.

Also, if you're tired of that eggy smell and odd taste, these filters handle those nuisances like pros.

They can knock out manganese and sediment as well, depending on what model you snag.

By splitting the differences between sediment and oxidizing filters, you can play matchmaker and pair up with the right iron filter for your specific situation.

When in doubt, call up a water treatment expert to get a lowdown on what your water is hiding and what could do the trick just perfectly.

Choosing the Right Iron Filter

Picking an iron filter shouldn't feel like rocket science.

If your water seems more like a bad science project than liquid gold, you're probably dealing with iron overload. 

Don't worry, we're here to walk you through picking out the perfect iron-busting wizardry to get your water back in shape.

So, let’s check out different filtration bits-and-bobs and what you should think about before making a choice.

Types of Filter Media

The magic of iron filters is in their special ingredients, which can kick the iron out of your water.

Let’s get into what makes each filter tick, so you know which one will pass the test for your pad.

Catalytic Carbon Filters

Think of catalytic carbon filters like your water’s personal superhero.

They tackle not just iron, but also hydrogen sulfide and other unwanted extras. 

These filters work by turning dissolved iron into little particles that you can easily kick to the curb.

Birm Filters

Birm filters, with their manganese oxide-coated charms, are champs at getting rid of iron and manganese.

The best thing about them? No chemical hassle needed!

They don’t demand constant pampering—to us, that’s a big win.

Greensand Filters

Greensand filters are the real sand-sorcerers of the bunch.

Using manganese greensand, they oxidize and filter out iron like it’s nobody’s business.

Empty their magic bag once in a while with a bit of potassium permanganate, and you’re golden.

Katalox Filters

Meet Katalox filters - these bad boys mean business!

With a hefty dose of manganese dioxide, they're top-notch at clearing out iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide without constant babysitting.

Factors for Proper Sizing

Getting your iron filter's size right keeps the system running smoothly and saves you from headaches down the road.

Here's what you need to jot down:

Once you crack the code on filter types and sizing factors, you're on your way to picking an iron filter that'll keep your water iron-free and fabulous all year round.