Operating instructions

SECTION 2: BEFORE INSTALLATION
Inspecting And Handling Your Filter:
Inspect the equipment for shipping damage. If damaged, notify the transportation company and request a damage inspection.
Handle the fi lter with care. Damage can occur if dropped or set on sharp, uneven projections on the fl oor. Do not turn the
fi lter upside down. Installation must comply with state and local laws and regulations.
Make Sure Your Water Has Been Thoroughly Tested:
An analysis of your water should be made prior to the selection of your water conditioning equipment. Your Chem-Free System
dealer will generally perform this service for you, and may send a sample to the factory for analysis and recommendations.
Enter your analysis below for a permanent record.
Note: Hydrogen sulfi de (H
2
S) must be tested for at the well site. For accuracy, the sample must be drawn with the pump
RUNNING, and the test be completed within ONE minute after the sample is drawn.
Analysis of Your Water
Iron (Fe) ______ ppm
Manganese (Mn) ______ ppm
pH ______ ppm
Tannins (Humic Acid) ______ ppm
Hydrogen Sulfi de (H
2
S) ______ ppm
Hardness ______ ppm
Other _______________ ______
Other _______________ ______
Iron (Fe)
Iron concentrations as low as 0.3 ppm (0.1 ppm under some conditions) will cause staining. The iron concentration, together
with the fl ow rate demand and the consumption rate of the water determines the size of the fi lter system required. The higher
these factors are, the larger the required system. The Chem-Free Iron Reduction Systems is capable of reducing the three main
types of iron found in water supplies: Soluble Iron (also known as clear water iron); Precipitated Iron (also known as red iron);
and Bacteria Iron also known as “clear water” or ferrous iron), precipitated iron (also known as red water iron) and Bacteria
Iron. There is an upper limit of 15 ppm iron concentration for the Chem-Free System; special care must be taken when select-
ing a fi lter model if your water has a combination of high iron, very low pH and/or manganese levels above 0.2 ppm.
The Chem-Free System is not bactericidal, i.e. it does not remove or kill “bacterial iron”. It reduces the iron upon which the
bacteria may live or which it deposits in your plumbing fi xtures, thus helping to eliminate its effects.
Manganese (Mn)
The presence of manganese can be bothersome, even for a Chem-Free Iron Reduction System (and is devastating for chemical
oxidizing systems). As little as 0.05 ppm of manganese can produce a brownish or black stain. The ability of the Chem-Free
System to reduce manganese depends on its concentration and the pH of the water.
Although not specifi cally designed for the reduction of manganese, the oxidation of manganese is very similar to that of iron,
therefore, a pH of 8.2 or higher must be obtained. When this pH level is achieved, the precipitation of manganese may more
readily occur. To accomplish this, models are available where the media contains additional quantities of MpH Adder, the pH
raising component (model designations with “M” suffi x). In any application involving manganese, a larger model fi lter is gen-
erally recommended (but only if the pumping rate is suffi cient to backwash the larger size).
If, however, the manganese concentration is low (0.1 ppm or less) and the pH is 6.5 or higher, a Chem-Free System containing
standard Chem-Free System media will generally perform satisfactorily, although backwashing should be performed at more
frequent intervals. Under more severe conditions where the pH is very low and/or the manganese concentration is high, an
acid neutralizer installed ahead of the Chem-Free System will maintain the required 8.2 pH level longer than the Chem-Free
media will between replenishment with MpH Adder.
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