Sediment filter recommendation

[Hongster]

Hello everyone

I got a question regarding a sediment filter I have infront of my softener. It's currently an iSpring spindown filter that isn't doing a great job of flushing down sand and silt that's coming from my well. I end up having to take apart the filter frequently and having to manually clean the filters with a toothbrush.

My options are to try a different spindown filter(rusco? I see the atlas Hydra recommended here but I can't find it online) or go with a Pentek filter housing and use disposable filters.

Any recommendations or advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Hongster.

 

[Reach4]

Tell us about the sediment that that filter catches. Is it sand, or what?

Any estimate of the volume of sediment? 1/2 cup per month?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Hongster]

Probably a sand/clay mixture. I need to flush/clean the filter maybe once every 3 weeks to get back water pressure to the house. When I flush using the iSpring filter it doesn't do a good enough of a job to clean out the particles so I end up taking the filter out and scrubbing the mesh filter with a toothbrush.

Volume isn't a lot but it's clogging up the mesh filter and dropping my water pressure. Maybe a tea spoon or less.

 

[ditttohead]

I sent you a PM, I can make recommendations of where to buy the Hydra. They are not supposed to be sold online for a multitude of reasons. Primarily many companies selling water treatment don't want the liability of some DIY'r with no clue installing their equipment and causing damage... I agree.

 

[Taylorjm]

I use the big blue 4.5x20" filter housings. I was using a 4.5x10 and string wound 5 micron filter after my well and before the softener. Switched to the 2o" long model to increase water flow and less filter changes. I just installed a poly gradient style water filter to try out. It filters out from the outside in gradually down to 5 micron. Supposedly will hold more sediment. I tried a pleated filter but they just turned into a soggy mess.

 

[Reach4]

I tried a pleated filter but they just turned into a soggy mess.

You should not use a cellulose filter with well water.

I am also using polypropylene gradient filters, but I am not sure if that is better or worse than a good pleated filter.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/APEC-Water-Systems-Whole-House-4-5-in-x-20-in-30-Micron-Reusable-and-Pleated-Sediment-Filter-FI-SED20-BB/206501573 is a washable pleated polyester filter. I have not tried a washable cartridge. I replace my filters less frequently than annually.

My backwashing iron+H2s filter is first in line. So not much makes it my 20x4.5 cartridges. Maybe I should have had a course sand/pebble filter before the backwashing filter.

 

[Hongster]

My main concern is is water pressure. I want the setup to maximize my water pressure.

I will take some pictures of my filter screen from my iSpring tomorrow to show the sediments.

I am open to installing a big blue filter housing if it will help in the long term or the Hydra if that is adequate.

 

[Taylorjm]

The 4.5x20 with a poly gradient filter to 5 micron can push 20gpm. Way more than your well pump can probably provide.

 

[Hongster]

Here is the filter with the sediments on it. And a picture of it scrapped off the filter for a close up. If feels like clay.

 

[Reach4]

Interesting and surprising pictures.

It doesn't look like clay to me, but I am no expert on that. If you put common clay into a lidded glass jar, and shake it, I would expect clay to make the water cloudy, and then expect the clay particles to settle to the bottom in some amount of time. I have never seen colloidal clay.

Have you ever sanitized your well? https://terrylove.com/forums/index....izing-extra-attention-to-4-inch-casing.65845/ is my sanitizing write-up.

 

[Hongster]

We brought the house maybe 3 years ago and a water test and didn't find any issues. So it hasn't been santized yet.

 

[Taylorjm]

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I would question the size of the screen that was put in at the bottom of the well. It looks like it's really allowing a lot of particles through the pump that shouldn't be there. But I guess I would first get a higher capacity filter, or first one of those spin down filters that pick up the bigger stuff and let you drain it out at the bottom when it's full, then a 4.5x10 or 4.5x20 filter housing with a good sediment filter.

 

[Reach4]

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I would question the size of the screen that was put in at the bottom of the well. It looks like it's really allowing a lot of particles through the pump that shouldn't be there.

You seem to see things way differently than I do.

So it hasn't been santized yet.

I propose an experiment. Put your sediment into two jars equally. Add water to about 1/2 inch from the tops. To one, add a tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach (overkill). Put the lids on and observe. I don't think the bleach would have observable effect on clay. Tomorrow shake the jars. Compare again.

 

[Hongster]

Thanks reach. I washed this sample off but I will have jars ready to test on a smaller sample hopefully in a couple of days.

 

[DetRack]

This looks more like organic residue to me. Not sure if a disc filter would be effective against it, though. Is it possible you have snails in the well?

If it‘s real clay particulate, it won‘t settle in a glass of water. I have some clay particulate in my irrigation well. Pita until you get a filtration and backwash/blow-down solution that is fast to operate.