Your Cart

Aidan Questions? Call Aidan 800-460-5810

Your cart is empty

Tannin Whole House Well Water Filter System (Brown / Tea-Colored Water)

Fixes brown or tea-colored water caused by organic tannins. Includes tannin filter, softener, and carbon polish.

NSF-Certified Components
|
🇺🇸 Made in USA

Tannin Whole House Well Water Filter System (Brown / Tea-Colored Water)

Fixes brown or tea-colored water caused by organic tannins. Includes tannin filter, softener, and carbon polish.

Walkthrough video thumbnail
Step 1Watch This Before Buying Meet Aidan and get a breakdown of how these systems work. Watch Video
Step 2Order a Mail-In Lab Test Your water chemistry determines the right equipment and size. Without test results, you're guessing. Order Test$199
Step 3Save Install Instructions Hand this to your plumber. Print, share, or use it for DIY. View Instructions
Chat With Aidan Feeling overwhelmed? Call Aidan. He'll tell you exactly what your house requires, even if it's less than what's on this page.
You save $485.00 as a complete system
Free Shipping Included
Arrives ... to
In Stock — Ships from Ohio warehouse by
Aidan
Brown Water? Let Us Look at a Test First. Brown water could be tannins OR iron, and the treatment is completely different. Aidan will review your water test results and tell you exactly what is causing the color. If tannins are the culprit, this is the right system. If iron is the problem, he will point you to the Iron + Softener package instead. No pressure, no upsell.

Stage 1 Big Blue Sediment Filter

  • 4" x 20" Big Blue filter housing with mounting bracket
  • 5-micron sediment cartridge included
  • Filter wrench for easy cartridge changes

Stage 2 Tannin Filter (1.5 Cubic Foot)

  • Fleck 2510SXT electronic demand valve
  • 10" x 54" mineral tank
  • 1.5 cubic feet of tannin-selective anion exchange resin
  • 14" x 34" brine tank with safety float
  • Bypass valve with 1" connections

Stage 3 Water Softener (48,000 Grain)

  • Fleck 5600SXT electronic demand valve (NSF certified)
  • 10" x 54" Vortech mineral tank (gravel-free)
  • 1.5 cubic feet of 10% crosslink resin
  • 18" x 33" salt brine tank with safety float
  • 1" stainless steel bypass valve (pre-installed)

Stage 4 Carbon Filter (2.5 Cubic Foot Non-Backwashing)

  • Clack C1190 non-backwashing upflow valve
  • 13" x 54" Vortech mineral tank
  • 2.5 cubic feet of activated carbon media
  • No electricity or drain connection needed

Included With Every System

  • Free shipping to all lower 48 states (ships freight on pallet)
  • Fill funnel for carbon and resin
  • 7-day expert support from Aidan at 800-460-5810

Tannin Filter

ModelFleck 2510SXT Electronic Demand
MediaTannin-selective anion exchange resin -- 1.5 cubic feet
Tank10" x 54" mineral tank
Brine Tank14" x 34" with safety float
Connections1" male threaded
DrainRequired (backwash + regeneration)
SaltRequired for resin regeneration
Electricity120V outlet required

Water Softener (48,000 Grain)

ModelFleck 5600SXT Electronic Demand
Resin10% crosslink -- 1.5 cubic feet
Tank10" x 54" Vortech (gravel-free)
Salt Tank18" x 33" with safety float
Service FlowUp to 10 GPM continuous
Bypass1" stainless steel, pre-installed
Power Backup48-hour capacitor

Carbon Filter

ModelClack C1190 Non-Backwashing Upflow
MediaActivated carbon -- 2.5 cubic feet
Tank13" x 54" Vortech (gravel-free)
ElectricityNone required
DrainNone required

Sediment Pre-Filter

Housing4" x 20" Big Blue
Cartridge5-micron sediment (included)
ReplacementEvery 3-6 months depending on sediment load

All tanks and valves made in the USA. 5-year valve warranty, 10-year tank warranty on all systems.

Call before you install. With a tannin system, the treatment order matters. Aidan walks customers through the layout over the phone -- call 800-460-5810 with your basement or utility room dimensions.

Installation Order (From Well to House)

  1. Pressure tank (your existing tank)
  2. Sediment filter (Big Blue housing, wall-mounted)
  3. Tannin filter (requires 120V outlet + drain line + salt)
  4. Water softener (requires 120V outlet + drain line + salt)
  5. Carbon filter (no power, no drain)

Electrical Requirements

Two systems need power: the tannin filter and the water softener. You will need 2 available 120V outlets in your utility area. The carbon filter and sediment filter are fully passive.

Drain Requirements

The tannin filter and water softener both need drain lines for backwash and regeneration. Route 1/2" tubing to a floor drain, utility sink, or outside (max 20 feet each).

Salt for Both Systems

Both the tannin filter and the water softener regenerate with standard water softener salt. You will have two brine tanks to keep filled. Most homes use about 150-200 lbs of salt per year total across both systems.

Space Planning

Plan for roughly 5-6 linear feet of wall space. The tannin filter and softener each have a 10" diameter tank plus a brine tank. The carbon filter has a 13" diameter tank. The Big Blue housing is compact and mounts vertically on the wall.

Time Estimate

Most homeowners complete the full install in 4-6 hours. If you hire a plumber, they can call Aidan at 800-460-5810 for help with the Fleck valve programming.

Sediment Filter Every 3-6 months

  • Replace the 5-micron cartridge when flow drops or it looks dirty. Unscrew the housing with the included wrench, swap the cartridge, and reinstall.

Tannin Filter Monthly salt check

  • The Fleck 2510SXT backwashes and regenerates automatically based on your water usage. Keep the tannin filter's brine tank at least 1/4 full with standard water softener salt. Most homes go through a 40 lb bag every 2-3 months for the tannin system. The anion exchange resin lasts 5-8+ years under normal conditions.

Water Softener Monthly salt check

  • Keep the softener's brine tank at least 1/4 full with salt. Most homes use a 40 lb bag every 4-8 weeks. The Fleck 5600SXT regenerates automatically based on usage. The 10% crosslink resin lasts 10-15+ years.

Carbon Filter Every 3-5 years

  • Non-backwashing carbon eventually exhausts. When taste or odor returns, replace the activated carbon media (pour out old, pour in new through the fillport).

Questions about maintenance? Call or text 800-460-5810, available 7 days a week.

Well Water Filtration Guide

Complete Guide to Well Water Filtration

Full walkthrough of how multi-stage well water treatment systems work and how to choose the right one.

Water Softener and Multi-System Guide

Water Softener and Multi-System Guide

Learn how water softeners pair with other treatment stages and why install order matters.

Water Softener

Water Softeners: The Complete Guide

Everything about water softener sizing, salt types, regeneration cycles, and maintenance.

Carbon Filter

Carbon Filter for Well Water

How whole-house carbon filters remove taste, odor, chlorine, and VOCs from your water.

What's In This Package

Installed in this order on your main water line.

Stage 1
20" Big Blue Sediment Filter Kit
20" Big Blue Sediment Filter Kit
Traps rust, sand, and particulate before it reaches the rest of the system
$195.00 individually
View this system
Stage 2
Fleck 5600SXT  Whole House Tannin Removal System
Fleck 5600SXT Whole House Tannin Removal System
Removes tannins (brown/tea color) from organic well water
$2,695.00 individually
View this system
Stage 3
Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Electronic Demand Deluxe Water Softener
Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Electronic Demand Deluxe Water Softener
Removes hardness minerals so no scale builds up on plumbing or appliances
$1,895.00 individually
View this system
Stage 4
Clack 2.5 Cubic Foot, Non Backwashing Whole House Carbon Filter
Clack 2.5 Cubic Foot, Non Backwashing Whole House Carbon Filter
Polishes taste, odor, chlorine, and VOCs
$1,695.00 individually
View this system
Purchased separately: $6,480.00
Complete system package: $5,995.00
You save $485.00 when purchased as a complete system

Video Guides

Watch our well water treatment guides has 32 years of industry experience.


Why Choose a Tannin Well Water System?

The Right Fix for Brown Water Caused by Tannins

Brown or tea-colored water? That is likely tannins. Tannins are organic compounds that leach into well water from decaying vegetation in the soil above your aquifer. They are not harmful, but they stain everything they touch, make your water taste earthy, and standard carbon filters will not remove them. This 4-stage system is built specifically for wells with tannin problems plus hardness. Sediment is trapped first by the Big Blue pre-filter. The tannin filter uses specialized anion exchange resin to pull the organic color out of your water. The water softener removes hardness minerals so scale stops building up on your pipes and appliances. And the carbon filter polishes taste, odor, and any remaining chemical contaminants. Important: brown water can be caused by tannins OR iron, and the treatment is completely different. If your water test shows iron, you need the Iron + Softener package instead. Call Aidan at 800-460-5810 with your test results and he will tell you which system is right.
4-Stage System
Removes Brown / Tea Color
All Media Included
Free Shipping
5 to 10 Year Warranties
7-Day Expert Support
Made in USA
Mid Atlantic Water Trust Logos
Feature Our System Others
Tannin Removal Method 1.5 CF Anion Exchange Resin Carbon Filter (Does Not Remove Tannins)
Regeneration Control Demand-Metered Fleck 2510SXT Timer or Manual Regeneration
Water Softener 48,000 Grain Fleck 5600SXT Sold Separately or Undersized
Carbon Filtration 2.5 CF Whole-House Non-Backwashing Small Cartridge or None
Sediment Pre-Filter Big Blue 5-Micron Included Extra Cost Add-On
Expert Tannin Support 7-Day Phone + Text + Email Limited or None
Warranty 5-Year Valves + 10-Year Tanks 1-Year Limited
Tannin Removal Method
✅ Us 1.5 CF Anion Exchange Resin
❌ Them Carbon Filter (Does Not Remove Tannins)
Regeneration Control
✅ Us Demand-Metered Fleck 2510SXT
❌ Them Timer or Manual Regeneration
Water Softener
✅ Us 48,000 Grain Fleck 5600SXT
❌ Them Sold Separately or Undersized
Carbon Filtration
✅ Us 2.5 CF Whole-House Non-Backwashing
❌ Them Small Cartridge or None
Sediment Pre-Filter
✅ Us Big Blue 5-Micron Included
❌ Them Extra Cost Add-On
Expert Tannin Support
✅ Us 7-Day Phone + Text + Email
❌ Them Limited or None
Warranty
✅ Us 5-Year Valves + 10-Year Tanks
❌ Them 1-Year Limited
Aidan

Got a Question About Your System?

Whether you need help with installation order, plumbing layout, valve programming, salt schedules, or troubleshooting any of the 4 stages, Aidan is available 7 days a week. Real answers from someone who has been doing this for 29+ years.

📞 Call Us 800-460-5810
✉️ Email Support support@midatlanticwater.net
🕒 Live Hours 7 days a week, 8am-5pm Eastern

Frequently Asked Questions

Tannins are organic compounds that leach into well water from decaying leaves, roots, and other vegetation in the soil above your aquifer. They turn your water brown or tea-colored, stain laundry and fixtures, and give the water a musty taste. A water test will confirm whether tannins are present. Call Aidan at 800-460-5810 with your test results and he will tell you exactly what you are dealing with.

No. This system is designed specifically for tannins, which cause brown water through organic color, not iron. If your water test shows iron above 0.3 ppm, you likely need the Iron + Softener package instead. Brown water can be caused by tannins OR iron, and the treatment is completely different. Call us at 800-460-5810 before ordering if you are not sure which one you have.

Yes, most of our customers do. Aidan walks people through the full installation over the phone, 7 days a week. The key is getting the systems in the right order (sediment first, carbon last) and making sure plumbing connections are tight. Plan 4-6 hours. If you hire a plumber, they can call Aidan directly for help with the Fleck valve programming.

Both the tannin filter and the water softener need salt for regeneration. Between the two systems, most homes use about 150-200 lbs of salt per year total. That is roughly a 40 lb bag every 5-6 weeks across both brine tanks. Just use standard water softener salt from any hardware store.

Salt checks on both brine tanks (monthly), sediment cartridge replacement (every 3-6 months), and carbon media replacement (every 3-5 years). The tannin resin and softener resin both last many years before needing replacement. None of these tasks are complicated. We have guides for each one and you can always call us.

Most wells with tannin problems also have hard water. Hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) cause scale buildup on pipes, appliances, and fixtures. If you only install a tannin filter, you solve the color problem but your water heater, dishwasher, and plumbing still take a beating from scale. The softener handles hardness so you get clear, soft water throughout the house.

Tannin Whole House Well Water Filter System (Brown / Tea-Colored Water)
Tannin Whole House Wel... $5,995.00

Why a 4-Stage Tannin System Costs More

Professional Components vs. Budget Alternatives

What You Get With Budget Systems

Budget tannin filter bundles cut corners where it counts: undersized resin beds that cannot handle real household flow, timer-based regeneration that wastes salt and does not adapt to your actual water usage, and cheap resin that loses capacity within a few years.

Worse, most online retailers sell a tannin filter as a standalone unit and tell you to figure out hardness and taste on your own. When you call for help with installation or programming, you are on your own.

The Real Cost Comparison

Budget Tannin Filter
$1,500-3,000
  • Lifespan: Fails in 3-4 years
  • Result: Frequent repairs, poor water quality, leaks
  • Support: None
$0.80-1.20/day (shorter resin life, no softener, no support)
Best Long-Term Value
Our Tannin System
$5,995
  • Lifespan: Lasts 15+ years
  • Result: Done right the first time, peace of mind
  • Support: Lifetime USA Support
$0.82/day over a 20-year system life

When you factor in the professional-grade valves, full resin fills, matched softener, and unlimited expert support, this system delivers better long-term value than piecing together components from different sellers. The 10% crosslink softener resin alone lasts 20-30% longer than the standard 8% resin used in budget packages.

What You Get With Our System

This package uses the same professional-grade components we have been selling for 29+ years: a Fleck 2510SXT demand-metered tannin valve, a Fleck 5600SXT water softener, a Clack C1190 non-backwashing carbon filter, and tannin-selective anion exchange resin sized for whole-house flow rates. All media is included and all tanks are built for decades of service.

You also get Aidan on the phone 7 days a week. Before the purchase, during installation, and for the life of your system. Tannin problems are tricky to diagnose remotely, and having someone who has seen thousands of wells makes the difference.

Contact Us
800-460-5810

We're here to help.

1-Year Risk-Free Guarantee

The Complete Tannin Solution for Well Water

If this 4-stage system fails to solve your tannin and hardness problems within 30 days of installation, contact us and we will work with you to resolve the issue. Whether that means troubleshooting your setup, adjusting valve programming, replacing a component, or issuing a full refund. No shipping 300+ pounds of equipment back. No restocking fees. No runaround.

10,000+ Systems Installed
455+ Verified Reviews
29+ Success Rate

After 29+ years of selling and supporting water treatment systems, we know what works for tannin problems. This package pairs a properly-sized tannin filter with a matched softener and carbon polisher because that combination delivers clear, soft water from every tap. We do not sell one-size-fits-all bundles, and we do not disappear after the sale.

The Industry "Return Policy" Trap +

Most online retailers offer a return policy that requires you to ship everything back at your expense. For a 4-stage system, that is 300+ pounds of wet equipment on a pallet. After paying $300+ in return freight, you often find a 15-25% restocking fee on top. It is designed to make returns impractical.

How Our Real Guarantee Works
1
The System Doesn't Clear Your Water

If your water is still brown or staining after installation, that is on us. Every stage should be performing.

2
You Call Us, We Fix It

We troubleshoot with you: water test results, installation order, valve settings, flow rates. Most tannin issues are resolved with a simple programming adjustment.

Full Refund, No Hassle

If we cannot resolve the issue, you get a full refund. We handle the logistics. You do not ship anything back. That is the difference between a real guarantee and a return policy.

Aidan

Tannin problems are tricky because brown water can look exactly the same whether it is caused by tannins or iron, and the treatment is completely different. I always ask to see a water test before recommending this system. If you call me at 800-460-5810, I will look at your results and tell you whether this is the right package or if you need something else entirely. No pressure, no upsell.

Aidan
5.0
★★★★★ 455 Verified Reviews
29 Years in Business
10,000+ Homeowners Served
Real installs, real customers, real photos
Customer install: Fleck 2510AIO iron filter
★★★★★
Solved my very high iron issues

"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."

Amy H. Verified buyer · Fleck 2510AIO Iron Filter
Customer install: Clack 2.5 acid neutralizer
★★★★★
Corrosive water resolved

"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."

William H. Verified buyer · Clack 2.5 Acid Neutralizer
Customer install: Fleck 2510AIO iron filter
★★★★★
Amazing set up

"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."

Dustin H. Verified buyer · Fleck 2510AIO Iron Filter
Customer install: full water treatment system
★★★★★
Outstanding help and products

"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."

Mark H. Verified buyer · Full Treatment System
Customer install: Clack 2.5 acid neutralizer
★★★★★
Does exactly what it's supposed to do

"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."

Dale H. Verified buyer · Clack 2.5 Acid Neutralizer
Customer install: Clack 2.5 acid neutralizer
★★★★★
My water is fixed

"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."

Henry Hall Verified buyer · Clack 2.5 Acid Neutralizer
1-Year Risk-Free Satisfaction Guarantee
5 & 10 Year Warranties on Equipment
Free Lifetime US-Based Phone & Text Support
30-Day Returns, No Questions

Want a real human to walk you through whether this is right for you?

Aidan
Talk to Aidan
Real person. No bots.
Call