5-Stage Whole House Well Water Filter System with Iron + UV
5-Stage Whole House Well Water Filter System with Iron + UV
Every tank ships empty. The Katalox Light, calcite and softener resin ship in separate boxes and bags and are loaded into the tanks at install through the included fill funnels. Drain tubing is not included, and the box has little install guidance: use our install guides and call Aidan.
Sediment 20 inch Big Blue sediment filter kit
- ✓ Pentek 1 inch Big Blue housing, about 23 inches tall, with a pressure-relief button
- ✓ One 5 micron melt-blown cartridge
- ✓ Wall bracket and screws, and a spanner wrench
- ✓ The parts can arrive in two boxes
Iron and sulfur 2.5 cubic foot iron filter
- ✓ Fleck 2510 AiQ control valve with air injection and a stainless steel bypass valve
- ✓ 13 x 54 inch Vortech mineral tank, shipped empty
- ✓ 2.5 cubic feet of Katalox Light, shipped separately and loaded at install
- ✓ Rated to remove up to 30 ppm iron, 15 ppm manganese and 10 ppm hydrogen sulfide
Low pH Clack acid neutralizer, 1.5 cubic feet
- ✓ Clack upflow (non-backwashing) valve with a bypass valve
- ✓ 10 x 54 inch Vortech tank, shipped empty
- ✓ Four 50 lb boxes of calcite: three are loaded at install, the fourth is for the first top-off
- ✓ No electricity, no drain, no backwash
Hardness Fleck 5600SXT softener, 48,000 grain
- ✓ Fleck 5600SXT metered (demand) valve with the 1 inch stainless steel bypass valve pre-installed
- ✓ 10 x 54 inch Vortech mineral tank, shipped empty
- ✓ 1.5 cubic feet of 10% crosslink resin in separate bags
- ✓ Brine tank with a safety float
Bacteria VIQUA VH410 UV light
- ✓ Stainless steel UV chamber with the quartz sleeve inside, and its controller
- ✓ UV lamp in its own cardboard tube in the main box; it slides into the chamber at install
- ✓ Controller that counts down the lamp's days and beeps when it is due
Not included What your plumber supplies
- ✓ Drain tubing for the iron filter and the softener
- ✓ Pipe, fittings and adapters
- ✓ Softener salt
- ✓ A GFCI outlet for the UV light
Free shipping to the lower 48 states. The package can arrive in more than one shipment: the media, the Big Blue parts and the UV lamp can come separately. For the current ship date, text Aidan at 443-277-2204.
Questions before or during the install? Call 800-460-5810 or text Aidan at 443-277-2204, 7 days a week, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern.
Who it fits
| Household | 1 or 2 people (the 1.5 cubic foot neutralizer sets it). 3 or more, or pH below 6.0: text Aidan. |
| Water source | Private well. Not for city water. |
| Iron, manganese, sulfur | Up to 30 ppm iron, 15 ppm manganese, 10 ppm hydrogen sulfide |
| pH | 6.0 to 6.9: plain calcite in the 1.5 corrects water down to about pH 6.0. The iron filter works best near pH 8; the neutralizer is there for that. |
| Hardness | Up to about 30 grains per gallon for 1 or 2 people, counting the 3 to 6 grains the calcite adds |
| Bacteria | Coliform and E. coli: the UV light kills them as the water flows past the lamp |
| Well flow needed | About 10 GPM to backwash the iron filter |
| System flow | About 10 GPM (the 1.5 neutralizer is the slowest stage) |
| Power | Three outlets: iron filter valve, softener valve, UV controller (on a GFCI) |
| Drains | Two: iron filter and softener. Tubing not included. |
Sediment filter
| Housing | 20 inch Big Blue (Pentek 150233), about 23 x 7.5 inches, 1 inch female NPT ports |
| Cartridge | 5 micron melt-blown polypropylene |
| Flow | 1 psi pressure drop at 15 GPM through the empty housing |
| Limits | 90 psi maximum; cold water only |
| Cartridge change | About every 4 to 6 months on a typical well |
Iron and sulfur filter
| Valve | Fleck 2510 AiQ, air injection |
| Media | 2.5 cubic feet of Katalox Light |
| Tank | 13 x 54 inch Vortech |
| Service flow | 17 GPM |
| Backwash | Needs about 10 GPM from the well; about 140 gallons per backwash; ships set to backwash every day and can be set to less |
| Power and drain | Standard outlet; a drain line your plumber sizes for the backwash flow |
| Media life | 6 to 8 years |
Acid neutralizer
| Valve | Clack upflow (non-backwashing), bypass valve included |
| Media | Calcite: three 50 lb boxes loaded at install, plus one box for the first top-off |
| Tank | 10 x 54 inch Vortech |
| Flow | Up to 10 GPM |
| pH | Corrects water down to about pH 6.0 |
| Hardness added | About 3 to 6 grains per gallon (the softener removes it) |
| Power and drain | None |
| Warranty | 10-year tank, 5-year valve |
Water softener
| Valve | Fleck 5600SXT metered (regenerates by gallons used, usually at 2 AM) |
| Resin | 1.5 cubic feet of 10% crosslink resin |
| Tank | 10 x 54 inch Vortech, with a brine tank and safety float |
| Capacity | About 45,000 grains on full salt, 36,000 on a salt-saving setting |
| Service flow | 12 GPM |
| Per regeneration | About 7 lb of salt and 25 to 50 gallons of water |
| Bypass | 1 inch stainless steel, pre-installed |
| Power and drain | Standard outlet; 1/2 inch drain tubing with an air gap (not included) |
| Warranty | 5 years on the control valve (Pentair), 10 years on the mineral tank, 5 years on the brine tank |
UV light
| Model | VIQUA VH410 |
| Flow (VIQUA) | 18 GPM at VIQUA's standard 30 mJ/cm2 dose; 14 GPM at 40 mJ/cm2 |
| Chamber | Stainless steel, 23.5 x 3.5 inches; combo 3/4 inch FNPT / 1 inch MNPT ports |
| Water going in | Iron under 0.3 ppm and hardness under 7 grains per gallon (the stages ahead of it do this), after a 5 micron filter |
| Power | 60 watts, about $95 a year; GFCI outlet |
| Lamp | About 9,000 hours: replace once a year |
| Controller | Counts down the lamp's days and beeps when it is due; no UV sensor |
| Warranty (VIQUA) | Chamber 10 years, controller 3 years, lamp and sleeve 1 year |
No certification is claimed for the package as a system, and the VH410 is not certified by NSF. The ratings above are each component's own.
We recommend having a plumber install it; Aidan supports your plumber by phone at 800-460-5810. If you'd rather do it yourself, text Aidan at 443-277-2204 with any questions.
This is a job for a plumber, ideally one who has installed water treatment before: the tanks go in a set order, the iron filter and the softener each need their own drain line, the UV needs an outlet, and there are 50 lb media boxes to load. Plan on more than the 3 to 4 hours a plumber takes for a filter and a softener.
Order, from the well to the house
- Pressure tank (your existing tank)
- 20 inch Big Blue sediment filter, the first filter after the pressure tank
- Iron filter and acid neutralizer: Aidan sets which one goes first from your water test
- Water softener, after both
- UV light, last, on the cold line before any branch
Power
Three stages plug in: the iron filter valve, the softener valve and the UV controller. VIQUA requires a GFCI outlet for the UV (not included). The sediment filter and the neutralizer need no power.
Drains
The iron filter and the softener each need a drain line with an air gap to a floor drain, utility sink or standpipe. Tubing is not included; your plumber sizes the iron filter's drain line for its backwash flow, and the softener uses 1/2 inch tubing. The sediment filter, neutralizer and UV have no drain.
Well flow
The iron filter needs about 10 gallons a minute from the well to backwash. If your well gives less, tell Aidan before you order.
Space
Three mineral tanks (the iron filter is 13 inches wide, the neutralizer and the softener 10 inches), the softener's brine tank, the Big Blue housing on the wall and the UV chamber. Leave about 23.5 inches clear at the UV's lamp end so the lamp and sleeve can come out.
Loading the media
Each tank ships empty. At install your plumber loads the Katalox Light, calcite and resin through the included funnels and slides the UV lamp into the chamber. VIQUA's manual also calls for disinfecting the plumbing after the UV at start-up.
Sediment filter About every 4 to 6 months
Swap the 5 micron cartridge about every 4 to 6 months on a typical well; flow dropping is the sign. Replacement cartridge, $55.
Iron filter Media every 6 to 8 years
It backwashes on its own; typically there is no annual maintenance. The Katalox Light lasts 6 to 8 years; a refill for the 2.5 is about $875 at today's prices (two 1 cubic foot bags and one 1/2 cubic foot bag).
Acid neutralizer Check yearly
Calcite dissolves as it works. Once a year, shine a flashlight behind the tank to see the level; add calcite when it is about half gone, about every 18 to 24 months on the 1.5, usually about one box. The first box ships with the package. Calcite, $145 a 50 lb box.
Water softener Salt
Keep the salt level above the water level in the brine tank; it uses about 7 lb of salt per regeneration. In Aidan's service work, 10% crosslink resin on water protected from iron and chlorine has lasted 30 to 40 years.
UV light Lamp once a year
The controller counts down the lamp's days and beeps when it is due. Replacement lamp, $170. Clean the quartz sleeve periodically and replace it only if it will not come clean (sleeve, $145). VIQUA calls for disinfecting the plumbing after any lamp or sleeve change.
Questions about upkeep? Call 800-460-5810 or text Aidan at 443-277-2204, 7 days a week, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern.
What homeowners are saying
What's In This Package
Installed in this order on your main water line.
Video Guides
Watch our well water treatment guides
Complete Guide to Well Water Filtration Systems
Best Sediment Filter for Well Water
Iron Filters for Well Water: The Complete Guide
Acid Neutralizer for Well Water: The Complete Guide
Best Water Softener for Well Water
Best UV Light for Well Water: Viqua VH410 Review
Who This 5-Stage System Is For
Just moved onto a well? Test first, then buy what it shows
This package is for a private well whose water test shows four problems at once: iron or manganese (orange or black stains) or hydrogen sulfide (a rotten egg smell), low pH between 6.0 and 6.9 (blue-green stains, pinhole leaks in copper pipe), hard water (scale and spots), and bacteria (a coliform or E. coli result). Each problem gets its own stage, with a sediment filter in front and the UV light last.
If you just moved onto a well, test before you buy anything. Aidan's advice to new well owners is to fix everything the test finds, at the same time, and nothing it does not (what to do first on a new well). Our $199 well water test covers 53 contaminants, including iron, hardness, pH, and coliform and E. coli bacteria.
The 1.5 cubic foot neutralizer sets the size: 1 or 2 people, at pH 6.0 to 6.9. For 3 or more people, or a pH below 6.0, the neutralizer needs to be the 2.5, so text Aidan your test first. The iron filter is rated for up to 30 ppm iron, 15 ppm manganese and 10 ppm hydrogen sulfide, and needs about 10 gallons a minute from your well to backwash.
If your test shows less, a smaller system costs less: no bacteria, the 4-stage small-home package ($5,150, this system without the UV); iron and hard water at pH 7 or above with no bacteria, the 2.5 iron filter and 48,000 grain softener package ($3,695); only iron, the 2.5 iron filter ($2,495). On city water this is the wrong system.
Every mineral tank is a Vortech tank and ships empty; the media comes in separate boxes and bags and is loaded at install, and drain tubing is not included. We recommend having a plumber install it; Aidan supports your plumber by phone at 800-460-5810. If you'd rather do it yourself, text Aidan at 443-277-2204 with any questions. Free shipping to the lower 48 states.
| Feature | Our System | Others |
|---|---|---|
| System Count | ✔ 5 Matched Stages | 1-2 Generic Cartridges |
| Iron Removal | ✔ 2.5 CF Katalox-Light AIO | Small Cartridge or None |
| pH Correction | ✔ 1.5 CF Clack Non-Backwashing | Often Missing Entirely |
| Softener Capacity | ✔ 48,000 Grain / 10% Crosslink | 24-32K / Standard 8% Resin |
| UV Disinfection | ✔ VIQUA VH410 (18 GPM at 30 mJ/cm2) | Often Not Included |
| Sediment Pre-Filter | ✔ Big Blue 5-Micron Included | Extra Cost Add-On |
| Expert Support | ✔ 7-Day Phone + Text + Email | Limited or None |
| Warranty | ✔ 5-Year Valves + 10-Year Tanks | 1-Year Limited |
✔ Got a Question About Your System?
Whether your plumber needs help with the installation order or valve programming, or you have a question about media refills or troubleshooting any of the five stages, Aidan is available 7 days a week. Real answers from someone with 32 years in this business.
Frequently Asked Questions
1-Year Risk-Free Guarantee
If your water test still shows problems after installation, that is on us.
We troubleshoot with you: water test results, installation order, valve settings, flow rates. Most issues are resolved with a simple adjustment.
If your water test shows iron, low pH, hard water and bacteria, this is the system I recommend for a home of one or two people. If it shows less, I will tell you which stages to skip. Call me with your water test and I will tell you if this is the right fit.
"I had well water with over 20 ppm ferrous and 7 ppm of ferric iron, plus manganese and some sulfur. Local water companies rejected me, said they couldn't help. I purchased two Fleck 2.5 cu. ft. 2510AIO iron filter tanks with Katalox-Light. Problem solved."
"New house, brass fittings on my Pex were all corroding. Tested the water, acidic at 5.5. Found Mid Atlantic Water YouTube videos which were very helpful, ordered the non-back washing 2.5. Easy install, water tests great now."
"Straight forward installation. In, out, and the drain. Ran a back wash cycle then put it online and it works GREAT. Cleaned out the iron and raised the pH to 7.5. Culligan tried to sell me something twice the price."
"Three contractors and two other suppliers reviewed my well report. Quotes ranged from $5,000 to $10,000. Then I found Mid Atlantic. Aidan reviewed the report and recommended a complete system. Same equipment, fraction of the cost, and the support was real."
"Easy, bullet-proof installation. No moving parts. Raised my pH from 6.8 to a perfect 7.6. I had previously installed the same unit in my daughter's water system. Her pH was 5.2. Following Aidan's videos, both installs went smoothly."
"Super easy install. Shouldn't have to service it for approximately 24-36 months based on my water usage. Tank is solid, fittings are clean, no leaks. Exactly what was advertised."
Want a real human to walk you through whether this is right for you?