Adding Filter Media to Downflow (Backwashing) Neutralizers
Adding Filter Media to Downflow (Backwashing) Neutralizers
Understanding Neutralizers and Filtration Media
Neutralizers and filtration media are essential components of a water treatment system, working together to provide cleaner water and improve overall water quality. Neutralizers, such as calcite and Corosex, are designed to raise the pH of acidic water, ensuring it falls within a neutral range. This process helps protect your plumbing and appliances from corrosion. On the other hand, filtration media, like activated carbon and zeolite, are used to remove impurities and contaminants from the water. These media work by trapping particles and absorbing unwanted substances, resulting in cleaner, safer water for your household. Understanding how these components work together is crucial for selecting the right filter media for your neutralizer, ensuring your water treatment system operates efficiently and effectively.
Choosing the Right Filter Media for Your Neutralizer
Choosing the right filter media for your neutralizer depends on several factors, including the type of contaminants present in the water, the desired filtration level, and the system's flow rate. For instance, if you need to remove fluoride and arsenic from your water, you may want to consider using a filter media like activated alumina or KDF-85. These media are specifically designed to target and remove such contaminants. On the other hand, if your primary concern is removing iron and manganese, a filter media like Birm or Filox may be more suitable. It’s also important to consider the cubic foot capacity of the filter media, as well as the correct gravel size and distribution, to ensure optimal performance. Properly sized gravel helps support the media and ensures even water flow through the system, enhancing filtration.
How to Add Calcite Filtration Media to Your Neutralizer Filter System (Step-by-Step)
Keeping your pH balanced is key if you're using a well water treatment system. A common and effective method for raising low pH is using a neutralizer filter with calcite media. But once the calcite starts to dissolve over time, you'll need to add more media to keep your system working properly.
Earlier this week, a customer asked how to add more calcite media to his neutralizer. It's a great question, and while the process is simple, it can vary depending on the type of neutralizer system you have—specifically, whether you have a top-fill plug or not.
This guide will walk you through how to add calcite media to backwashing downflow neutralizer tanks with and without a top fill plug.
Why Add Calcite Media to a Neutralizer Tank?
Calcite is a natural form of calcium carbonate used in neutralizer tanks to correct acidic water conditions. When acidic well water (pH below 7.0) passes through a tank filled with calcite, the media dissolves slowly and raises the pH to a neutral range of 7.0–8.0.
Maintaining a proper pH:
- Prevents corrosion of pipes and fixtures
- Protects your water heater and appliances
- Improves water taste
- Reduces the risk of heavy metals leaching into your water
Over time, the calcite dissolves and needs to be replenished—typically once or twice a year, depending on water usage and acidity.
Check the pH of Your Water
Before adding more calcite, test your water’s pH before and after your neutralizer to ensure the removal of specific contaminants such as color, suspended matter, iron, hydrogen sulfide, and chloramines for optimal water quality. If your pH is consistently under 7.0, it’s time to add media. A neutral pH is ideal (7.0–8.0), with an optimal target around 7.2 to 7.5.
How to Add Calcite to a Down-Flow Neutralizer With a Top Fill Plug
Materials Needed: Gravel
- Calcite media
- Hose or siphon
- Channel locks or pliers
- Optional: funnel, bucket, and towel
Steps:
- Turn Off the Water or Bypass the System
This will depressurize the tank. - Start a Manual Backwash Cycle
Initiating a cycle while bypassed relieves pressure from the control valve. - Unplug the Control Valve
Safety first—always unplug before opening the system. - Remove the Top Fill Plug
Use channel locks or pliers. - Siphon 2–3 Gallons of Water
This prevents water from spilling when you add the media. - Add Calcite Media
Fill the tank 2/3 full, leaving at least 12 inches of space for backwash expansion. - Replace the Plug & Restore Power
Plug the valve back in and carefully return the system to service. - Run 2 Backwash Cycles
This ensures the media is clean and properly settled.
How to Add Calcite to a Down-Flow Neutralizer Without a Top Fill Plug
If your neutralizer doesn’t have a fill plug, you’ll need to remove the entire control valve to add media.
Our extensive line of filtration products includes a variety of air and liquid filter media solutions tailored for different types of neutralizers, ensuring optimal performance in various applications.
Steps:
- Turn Off or Bypass the System
- Start Manual Backwash Cycle & Unplug Valve
- Remove the Control Valve
Carefully unscrew and lift the valve off the tank. - Siphon Water From the Tank
Siphon out a few gallons to prevent overflow. - Tape Off the Distributor Tube
This keeps calcite from falling into the internal tubing. Use a piece of electrical tape and leave a tail to remove it later. - Add Calcite Media
Fill the tank 2/3 full, leaving 12″ of space. - Remove Tape, Replace Valve, & Restore System
Reconnect the control valve and turn the system back on. - Run 2 Full Backwash Cycles
This prepares the media for use.
Safety Precautions and Considerations
When working with neutralizers and filtration media, it’s essential to take safety precautions to avoid mistakes and ensure correct installation. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for handling and installing the filter media, and make sure to wear protective gear, such as gloves and safety glasses. Additionally, it’s crucial to regularly maintain and replace the filter media to prevent contamination and ensure optimal performance. A leading manufacturer of water filter media, such as Crystal Quest, can provide guidance on selecting the right filter media for your neutralizer and ensuring safe and correct installation. By taking the necessary safety precautions and considering the specific needs of your water treatment system, you can enjoy cleaner water and a longer filter life. Regular maintenance and adherence to safety guidelines will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your system continues to provide high-quality water for your home or business.
How Often Should You Add Calcite Media?
Most homeowners add calcite once or twice a year, but this depends on your pH levels and water usage. If you notice your water returning to an acidic pH or see signs of corrosion, test the water and top off your media.
Can You Mix Calcite with Corosex?
Yes! Corosex (magnesium oxide) can be used with calcite to correct highly acidic water (pH 5.0–6.0). But use caution—it dissolves faster and can overcorrect pH if not balanced properly. A common blend is 90% calcite to 10% Corosex.
Additional Maintenance Tips
- Avoid overfilling your tank.
- Check for leaks or clogs in the control valve.
- Always allow the system to complete at least two backwash cycles after adding media.
- Keep a record of when media is added and pH levels are tested.
- Utilized liquid filtration solutions tailored to food and beverage manufacturing to enhance cleanliness and operational efficiency and ensure strict hygiene and quality standards are met.
Still have questions about adding calcite media or troubleshooting your neutralizer? Contact our experts at Clean Water Store, or email us at support@cleanwaterstore.com. We're here to help you keep your water clean, balanced, and safe.
Discover how they help balance pH and protect plumbing. Visit USGS.gov to explore groundwater and water treatment basics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I know if my neutralizer is working?
A: Check the pH before and after your filter. If the pH is above 7.0 after filtering, your system is working. You can also look for reduced corrosion or improved water taste.
Q: Can I use calcite in an upflow neutralizer?
A: Yes, but the process for adding media is different. We'll cover upflow instructions in a future post.
Q: What size calcite should I use?
A: Most systems use medium-grade calcite, but always check your filter manual or consult a technician for your specific tank.
Q: How long does a bag of calcite last?
A: On average, a 50 lb.. bag can last 6–12 months in a standard home, depending on pH and water use.
Q: What's the best time of year to add calcite?
A: Late fall or early spring is common, but the best time is when your pH levels drop below 7.0.
Q: Should I hire a professional or DIY?
A: If you're comfortable with basic plumbing and following instructions, adding calcite is a safe DIY task. If unsure, call a technician.
Q: Will adding calcite increase water hardness?
A: Yes, slightly. You may notice minor calcium buildup, but it's generally not a concern unless you already have hard water.
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Hi, Gene.
Generally with backwashing neutralizers you don’t need to clean out the tank when adding more media; it’s just a matter of adding more media to top it off. If you want, you can sanitize the tank at that time with a small amount of chlorine bleach (usually one cup will suffice) to kill off any accumulated algae or bacteria.
If you’re looking into completely emptying the tank and re-bedding it with all new media, then that’s a more involved process. In that case, you would want to first siphon out as much water as possible to reduce the total weight of the tank. Then, slowly tip the tank over on its side (getting some assistance at this point might be a good idea, as it will likely be quite heavy) and dump the media out. We like to pour it onto a tarp to make it easier to deal with scooping up the old media and disposing of it. Use a garden hose to try and spray out the remaining media and base gravel, if you have it.
Our Vortech tanks don’t require any base gravel, but for a non-Vortech tank, you will want to add 1/4″ x 1/2″ base gravel first, with the distributor tube in place and roughly centered. Make sure the tube is capped off with tape or a plug, and add your gravel prior to the neutralizing media. You can use these guidelines to determine how much to add:
10″x44″ tank = 12 lbs
10″ x 54″ tank =16 lbs
12″ x 52″ tank = 20 lbs
13″ x 54″ tank = 35 lbs
After the gravel has been added, you can begin filling in the neutralizer media as described above.