The Iron Buster - Dual Iron Filter & 64,000 Grain Softener Package (High Iron 20+ PPM)
Two staged iron filters plus a 64,000 grain softener for extreme iron (20+ ppm) well water. No chemicals.
Watch This Before BuyingMeet Aidan, your water treatment expert
Dealing With Extreme Iron?Most people calling about The Iron Buster have iron in the 20s or 30s and have already tried a filter that could not keep up. Text or call your water test results to Aidan and he will confirm whether two staged iron filters are the right answer, or whether you also need a sediment pre-filter, acid neutralizer, or chlorination step for iron bacteria. No upsell, no pressure.
✓Fleck 2510AIO control valve with AIO air injection, no chemicals, no potassium permanganate, no chlorine feed
✓2.5 cubic foot mineral tank (13" x 54"), pre-loaded with Katalox-Light catalytic media
✓Handles up to 30 ppm iron, 15 ppm manganese, 10 ppm hydrogen sulfide on its own
✓1" stainless steel bypass valve and fill funnel included
Iron Filter Stage 2 of 2
✓A second identical Fleck 2510AIO 2.5 cu ft iron filter, plumbed in series after the first
✓Doubles oxidation contact time and media volume so iron above 20 ppm is fully removed instead of breaking through
✓The first tank takes the brunt, the second polishes, eliminating the orange staining a single tank leaves on the worst wells
✓1" stainless steel bypass valve and fill funnel included
Water Softener Stage 3
✓Fleck 2510SXT electronic demand control valve, regenerates on gallons used, not a timer
✓64,000 grain capacity, 2.0 cubic feet of high-capacity 10% crosslink resin (iron and chlorine resistant)
✓18" x 33" salt tank with safety float and auto shutoff
✓1" stainless steel bypass valve, sized for 2-8 people / 3-5 bathrooms
Included With All Three Tanks
✓ Free shipping to all lower 48 states, ships freight on pallets
✓ Fill funnels and all standard fittings
✓ 7-day expert support, call or text Aidan at 800-460-5810
Why two iron filters? A single AIO tank reliably handles iron up to about 20 ppm. Above that, dissolved iron starts to break through before it is fully oxidized and filtered. Staging two 2.5 cu ft tanks in series splits the load: the first tank removes most of the iron, the second removes what is left, and you get clear, stain-free water on wells that would overwhelm any single residential iron filter.
Iron Filters (2x Fleck 2510AIO, in series)
Model
Two Fleck 2510AIO valves with Katalox-Light media
Technology
AIO Air Injection Oxidation (no chemicals, no chlorine feed)
Media per tank
2.5 cubic feet Katalox-Light (5.0 cu ft total)
Tank Dimensions (each)
13" x 54"
Combined Iron Removal
20+ ppm reliably (each tank rated up to 30 ppm)
Manganese Removal
Up to 15 ppm
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Up to 10 ppm (rotten egg smell)
Sediment Filtration
Down to 3 microns
pH Operating Range
5.6 to 10.0
Backwash
Automatic, every 2-4 days per tank (programmable)
Connections
1" female threaded (bypass included)
Power
120V outlet per tank
Warranty
5-year valve / 10-year tank (each)
Water Softener (Fleck 2510SXT)
Model
Fleck 2510SXT Electronic Demand
Resin
10% crosslink softener resin, 2.0 cubic feet
Grain Capacity
64,000 grains
Salt Tank
18" x 33" with safety float / auto-shutoff
Bypass Valve
1" stainless steel (pre-installed)
Regeneration
Electronic demand, counts gallons
Connections
1" female threaded
Household Size
2-8 people / 3-5 bathrooms
Certification
NSF Certified
Warranty
5-year valve / 10-year tank
All Three Tanks
Made In
USA
Shipping
Free freight to all lower 48 states (palletized)
Footprint
Plan roughly 5-6 linear feet of wall space plus the salt tank
⚡
Plan a weekend. Three tanks is more plumbing than a single system. Each iron filter needs a 120V outlet and a drain line for backwash. The softener needs the same. All three use 1" connections.
⚠️ Order matters: Both iron filters must come before the softener. Dissolved iron fouls softener resin, binding to the beads and never fully releasing during regeneration. Removing all the iron first protects the resin for its full 10-15 year life. Stage the two iron tanks one after the other, then the softener last.
Step-by-step (each tank)
Shut off the main supply and relieve pressure at a nearby faucet
Set each tank on a level surface near a drain (iron filters and softener all backwash to drain)
Plumb inlet to outlet in series: pressure tank into iron filter 1, iron filter 1 out into iron filter 2, iron filter 2 out into the softener, softener out to the house
Run a 1/2" drain line from each valve to a floor drain, utility sink, or outside (max 20 feet, no traps)
Hand-tighten each valve, then a quarter to half turn only; over-tightening can crack the tank lip
Plug each iron filter and the softener into 120V outlets
Pour the Katalox-Light media into each iron tank through the fill funnel if it ships separately, then open bypass slowly to fill
Add salt to the brine tank (softener salt pellets, not rock salt)
Program the two 2510AIO valves (regen every 2-4 days) and the 2510SXT softener (time, hardness, capacity), then run a manual cycle on each
Call before you install. With three tanks, layout and plumbing order matter. Aidan walks customers through the whole thing over the phone, 7 days a week, at 800-460-5810. Your plumber can call us directly too.
✨
Still close to hands-off. Both iron filters self-regenerate with air, no chemicals. The softener just needs salt. Two more tanks does not mean two more headaches.
Iron Filters (both)
Every 2-4 DaysAutomatic backwash. Each 2510AIO refreshes its air pocket and flushes iron and sediment to drain. Programmed once at install, nothing to do.
AnnuallyTest your water. Confirm iron, manganese, and sulfur are still at zero. On extreme wells, you may stagger the two tanks' backwash days so they never run at the same time.
Every 8-12 YearsReplace Katalox-Light media. Long-lived even under heavy iron load. With two tanks sharing the work, media life on each runs to the long end of the range.
Water Softener
MonthlyCheck salt. Keep the brine tank at least 1/3 full with softener salt pellets (not rock salt).
AnnuallyClean the brine tank. Clear any salt bridges or mushing.
Every 10-15 YearsReplace the resin. 10% crosslink outlasts standard 8% by 20-30%, and with the iron removed upstream it lasts the full life.
Pro tip: Stagger the two iron filters' backwash schedules (for example tank 1 on odd days, tank 2 on even days) so they never draw backwash water at the same time. Aidan sets this for you. Questions? Call or text 800-460-5810.
"I have well water with over 20 ppm ferrous and 7 ppm of ferric iron, along with manganese and some sulfur. I was rejected by local water companies saying they could not help me with my high iron issues. Aidan was extremely helpful and responsive to my numerous calls and texts to get the tanks set up and running. Wow, and now the tanks reduced the iron to literally zero. Highly recommend this type of iron filter to remove very high levels of iron." ★★★★★
Amy H., Verified Buyer
"Not hard to install if you have a little plumbing know-how. I did have to add the resin which is a little messy. Brought the water from 24 grain with 2.5 iron down to less than 1. Seemed easy to program." ★★★★★
Chris C., Verified Buyer
"Mid Atlantic Water was great to deal with. Great pricing, fast shipping, awesome communication. I called before ordering to discuss the well tank, iron filter and softener. Aidan answered all my questions, confirmed my research and choices were good, and that the equipment would handle the condition of my water." ★★★★★
Joseph P., Verified Buyer
What's In This Package
Installed in this order on your main water line.
Stage 1
Fleck 2510AIO 2.5 Cubic Foot Advanced Iron Filter (Katalox-Light™) (AIO™ Air Injection) ×2
Removes iron, manganese, and sulfur (air injection + Katalox-Light)
You save $490.00 when purchased as a complete system
Video Guides
Watch our iron filter and water softener guides has 32 years of industry experience.
Iron Filters for Well Water: The Complete Guide
Best Iron Filter for Well Water (What Actually Works)
Iron Filter vs Water Softener (Do You Need Both?)
Built for the Worst Iron Wells: 20+ PPM, No Chemicals
Two Staged Fleck 2510AIO Iron Filters + a Fleck 2510SXT 64,000 Grain Softener
When iron runs past 20 ppm, a single iron filter cannot keep up. Dissolved iron starts breaking through before it is fully oxidized and filtered, and the orange staining comes right back. The Iron Buster solves that by staging two Fleck 2510AIO air-injection iron filters in series, with 5.0 cubic feet of Katalox-Light media between them. The first tank removes the bulk of the iron, the second polishes off what is left, and there are no chemicals to buy or refill.
Behind the iron filters sits a Fleck 2510SXT 64,000 grain water softener with 2.0 cubic feet of iron-resistant 10% crosslink resin and demand-based regeneration. With the iron removed upstream, the resin stays clean and lasts its full life while it removes the hardness that scales fixtures and appliances.
All three tanks are Vortech, made in the USA, and carry 5-year valve and 10-year tank warranties. Free freight to the lower 48, and Aidan is on the phone 7 days a week to size, program, and support the system for as long as you own it.
✔Built for 20+ PPM Iron
✔Dual Fleck 2510AIO Filters
✔Katalox-Light Iron Media
✔64,000 Grain Softener
✔No Chemicals, No Salt for Iron
✔5-Year Valves / 10-Year Tanks
✔Made in USA
Feature
Our System
Others
Iron Capacity
✔
20+ ppm (two staged AIO tanks)
5-10 ppm single tank or cartridge
Iron Filter Valve
✔
Two Fleck 2510AIO Air Injection
One Generic Timer Valve
Iron Media
✔
5.0 cu ft Katalox-Light total
Birm or Greensand, 1-2 cu ft
Chemicals
✔
None (air injection oxidation)
Chlorine or Potassium Permanganate Feed
Softener Valve
✔
Fleck 2510SXT Electronic Demand
Timer-Based Regeneration
Softener Resin
✔
64k / 10% Crosslink (Iron Resistant)
32k / Standard 8% Resin
Warranty
✔
5-Year Valves / 10-Year Tanks (All 3)
1-Year Limited
Expert Support
✔
7-Day Phone, Text & Email
Limited or None
Iron Capacity
✅ Us20+ ppm (two staged AIO tanks)
❌ Them5-10 ppm single tank or cartridge
Iron Filter Valve
✅ UsTwo Fleck 2510AIO Air Injection
❌ ThemOne Generic Timer Valve
Iron Media
✅ Us5.0 cu ft Katalox-Light total
❌ ThemBirm or Greensand, 1-2 cu ft
Chemicals
✅ UsNone (air injection oxidation)
❌ ThemChlorine or Potassium Permanganate Feed
Softener Valve
✅ UsFleck 2510SXT Electronic Demand
❌ ThemTimer-Based Regeneration
Softener Resin
✅ Us64k / 10% Crosslink (Iron Resistant)
❌ Them32k / Standard 8% Resin
Warranty
✅ Us5-Year Valves / 10-Year Tanks (All 3)
❌ Them1-Year Limited
Expert Support
✅ Us7-Day Phone, Text & Email
❌ ThemLimited or None
✔ Got a Question About Your System?
Whether you need help with install order, plumbing two iron tanks in series, staggering the backwash schedules, programming the Fleck valves, or adding media, Aidan is available 7 days a week. Real answers from someone who has been doing this for 32+ years.
📞 Call Us800-460-5810
✉️ Email Supportsupport@midatlanticwater.net
🕒 Live Hours7 days a week, 8am-5pm Eastern
Frequently Asked Questions
A single 2.5 cubic foot AIO iron filter reliably handles iron up to about 20 ppm. On wells above that, dissolved iron starts to slip through before it is fully oxidized and filtered, and you get orange staining returning. Staging two iron filters in series splits the load: the first tank removes the bulk of the iron, the second polishes off what remains. The result is clear, stain-free water on wells that would overwhelm any single residential iron filter.
Each Fleck 2510AIO with Katalox-Light is rated to 30 ppm iron, 15 ppm manganese, and 10 ppm hydrogen sulfide on its own. Run in series, the two tanks comfortably handle 20+ ppm iron with margin to spare, plus manganese and sulfur. If your water test shows iron well into the 20s or 30s, this is the system built for it. Text your results to 800-460-5810 and Aidan will confirm the fit before you buy.
If your water has hardness above 7 grains per gallon in addition to iron, yes. The iron filters remove iron, manganese, and sulfur but do not touch the calcium and magnesium that cause hardness. Without the softener you would still get scale on fixtures, spotting on dishes, and shortened appliance life. The 64,000 grain Fleck 2510SXT in this package is sized for 2-8 people and high-hardness homes.
From the well: pressure tank, then optional sediment filter, then iron filter 1, then iron filter 2, then the water softener, then the house. Both iron filters must come before the softener because dissolved iron fouls softener resin, binding to the beads and never releasing during regeneration. Removing all the iron first protects the resin for its full 10-15 year life.
Yes, most of our customers do. All three tanks use 1" threaded connections, and each iron filter and the softener needs a 120V outlet and a drain line. Plan a weekend with basic plumbing skills, since three tanks is more plumbing than a single system. If you hire a plumber, they can call Aidan directly for programming and install-order help.
Plan for roughly 5-6 linear feet of wall space for the three mineral tanks (each 13" diameter), plus room for the 18" x 33" salt tank next to the softener. Each iron filter and the softener needs a nearby drain and a 120V outlet. Send us a photo of your utility area if you are not sure it will fit.
If you have visible particles, sand, or sediment, we recommend a 20" Big Blue sediment filter ahead of the first iron filter to protect the valves. If your water is visually clear, you usually do not need one. We can tell from your water test or a photo of your tap water.
Iron bacteria (slimy biofilm in toilet tanks) needs a chlorination or peroxide step before the iron filters, and water below pH 5.6 needs an acid neutralizer upstream. Neither is included here because not every high-iron well has them. Call us with your water test and we will tell you exactly what your well needs.
The Iron Buster - Dual...$6,995.00
Why The Iron Buster Costs What It Does
Two Professional Iron Filters + a Demand Softener
What Budget High-Iron Setups Get Wrong
Most budget answers to extreme iron are a single undersized tank or a chemical feed pump dosing chlorine or potassium permanganate. The single tank breaks through above 20 ppm and the staining comes right back. The chemical feed means buying, storing, and refilling chemicals forever, plus a contact tank and a carbon filter to remove the chlorine afterward. Both routes cost more over time and leave you babysitting the system.
The Real Cost Comparison
Budget High-Iron Setup (single tank + chemical feed)
$4,197 to $5,456
❌Lifespan: Fails in 3-4 years
❌Result: Frequent repairs, poor water quality, leaks
$1.6/day over a 12+ year system life, no chemicals
Bought individually the three tanks list at $7,485. Configured together as The Iron Buster they are $6,995, a savings of $490. Add in no chemical purchases, no contact tank, long-lived Katalox-Light media, and unlimited expert support, and the staged two-filter approach is the most durable, lowest-hassle answer to a severe iron well.
What You Get With The Iron Buster
Two Fleck 2510AIO air-injection iron filters with 5.0 cubic feet of Katalox-Light media total, staged in series so 20+ ppm iron is removed without chemicals, plus a Fleck 2510SXT 64,000 grain softener with 2.0 cubic feet of iron-resistant 10% crosslink resin. All three tanks carry 5-year valve and 10-year tank warranties, and Aidan is on the phone 7 days a week before, during, and after the sale.
Contact Us
800-460-5810
We're here to help.
1-Year Risk-Free Guarantee
Built for the Worst Iron Wells in the Country
If The Iron Buster fails to bring your iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide within EPA secondary drinking water standards and eliminate hard water problems within 30 days of installation, contact us and we will make it right. That means troubleshooting your setup, adjusting the backwash and regeneration programming, replacing a component, or issuing a full refund. You do not ship heavy tanks back at your expense. We handle the logistics.
10,000+Systems Installed
455+Verified Reviews
32+Success Rate
After 32+ years of selling and supporting well water treatment, we know that the worst iron wells need more than a single tank. The Iron Buster is what we build when someone calls with iron in the 20s or 30s and orange staining that no off-the-shelf filter has touched. Two staged air-injection iron filters and a demand softener, sized and programmed for your specific water.
The Industry "Return Policy" Trap
+
Most online retailers offer a return policy that requires you to ship everything back at your expense. For three tanks that is 600+ pounds of wet equipment on pallets. After paying hundreds in return freight, you often find a 15-25% restocking fee on top. It is designed to make returns impractical. That is not a real guarantee.
How Our Real Guarantee Works
1
It Doesn't Beat the Iron
If your water test still shows iron, manganese, sulfur, or hardness after installation, that is on us. All three tanks should be performing.
2
You Call Us, We Fix It
We troubleshoot with you: water test results, install order, backwash timing on both iron filters, and softener programming. Most issues resolve with a simple adjustment.
Full Refund, No Hassle
If we cannot resolve it, 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.
When someone calls with iron in the 20s or 30s and tells me no filter has worked, this is what I build them. One tank cannot keep up with that much iron, so I stage two air-injection filters in series and put a demand softener behind them. I have sized and programmed these for some of the worst wells in the country. Send me your water test and I will tell you straight whether this is what you need.
