Sterling OXY3 Series, OXY3-15, OXY3-10, OXY3-20, OXY3-30 Installation Instructions And Owner's Manual

Installation Instructions and Owner’s Manual

OXY3 Series

Iron Reduction System

Sterling Water Treatment

12630 US Highway 33 N

Churubusco, IN 46723

Phone [phone] Fax [phone]

www.sterlingwatertreatment.com

OXY3 Instruction Manual 112310.docx

Preinstallation Instructions

Description of the iron filtration system

The OXY3 iron filtration syst em includes an aeration tank , a filtration tank and a backwashing control
valve. Incoming water flo ws into the c ontro l val ve and is direc ted into t he aer ation tan k . Exposur e to the air i n
this tank will start oxidizing the iron. The water then flows through the back connector tube and into the filtration
tank where the oxidi zed iron is trapped by the media. T he iron-free water then returns to the control valve
where it is directed into the service lines.

Periodically the contr ol valve will go through a back wash cycle. This cycle will t ypically begin at 1:00
A.M. flushing the accum ulated iron to the drain. Part of this backwashing proc ess includes an air dra w cycle
which will replenish the pocket of air in the aeration tank and prepare the unit for the next period of service.

Water Quality
While the OXY3 filter will perf orm under a variet y of water qualities there are a fe w things that need to

be considered to ensur e s ati sfactory performance. The water should be t es ted t o determine the conc entration,
or levels of the items listed below.

pH - A measurement of the acidity of the water. pH is r eported on a scale from 0 to 14. Neutr al water
has a pH of 7.0, lower values indicate ac idic water. The OX Y3 iron filt er perform s best when the pH is 7.0, or
higher. pH values below 7. 0 r equire a s pec ia l media blend in the filter in order to ele v ate the pH for proper iron
oxidation.

Iron - A naturally oc c urr ing metallic element. Iron c onc e ntr ations in excess of 0.3 milligram s/liter (mg/l)
combine with oxygen causing or ange or red (rust) stains on plumbing fix tures. Iron naturally exists in some
water sources in either clear water ( f errous ) state, red wat er (f er ric ) state or bac terial f orm. The OXY3 iron filter
can reduce any of these forms of iron.

Manganese - A naturally occurring metallic element. Manganese concentrations as low as 0.05
milligrams/liter (m g/l) can com bine with oxygen t o cause dark br own or black staining on f ixtures . Additiona lly,
manganese can cause an odor in the water similar to a “rotten egg” smell. The OXY3 iron filter reduces
manganese as well as iron, however, manganese oxidation requires the pH of the water to be elevated to 8.2 or
higher. Special OXY3 media blends are available to elevate the pH of manganese bearing waters.

Tannin - A naturally occurring humic acid. Tannin is an acid caused by water passing through decaying
vegetation. Coffee and Tea are prime examples of tannin in water. As hot water passes over the coffee beans,
or tea leaves, the tannin is extracted causing color and flavor in the water. Tannin concentrations as low as 0.3

milligrams per liter c an cause a yellow discoloration in th e water and may interfere with the OXY3 iron f ilter’s

long-term ability to remove the iron as the media becomes coated with the tannic acid.
Hydrogen Sulfide - A natur ally occurring gas. Hydrogen sulfide, more comm only referred to as sulfur

gas, causes a distinct odor similar to “rotten eggs.” Due to its gaseous nature, h ydrogen sulfide must be tested
at the well site within 1 m inute of drawing the sam ple. If a water s ample has been s itting for a while the sulf ur
gas will dissipate a nd cause the hydrogen sulfide test to be lower than the ac tual concentration. If s ulfur is
present, the filter should be set to backwash m ore frequently to prevent the gas from building up. T he OXY3
iron filter can typically treat up to 2 to 3 milligrams per liter of sulfur gas.

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Water Supply

Draw Down (gallons)

X

60 = Pumping Rate (gallons per minute)

Cycle Time (seconds)

8 gallons

X

60

=

7.4

65 seconds

Unlike other iron filters that do not use chemicals to oxidize the iron, the OXY3 iron filter does not require
additional plumbing such as solenoid valves, pressure switches or pressure tanks. This filter will function
properly when the water supply is furnished by a jet pump, submersible pump, variable speed (constant
pressure) pump or com munity water supply. As with all other f ilter systems , however, it is imperative t hat the
well pump provides enough flow rate for the filter to adequately backwash. In order to ensure sufficient
backwash flow rate the following pumping rate test should be performed prior to installing the iron filter.

1. Make certain no water is being drawn in the house.

2. Open spigot nearest pressure tank.

3. When well pump starts, close spigot and measure time (in seconds) to refill pressure tank (well pump
turns back off). This is Cycle Time.

4. Using a container of known volume, draw water from pressure tank and measure how many gallons
until the pump turns back on again. This is Draw Down.

5. Calculate pumping rate by dividing draw down by cycle time and multiplying by 60.

Example: Draw down is 8 gallons

Cycle time is 65 seconds

gpm (gallons per minute)

Location Considerations
The proper location to instal l the OXY3 filter will ensure optimum filter per formance and satisfactory

water quality. The following factors should be considered in selecting the location of the iron filter.

1. The filter should be installed after the pressure tank (private well system only).

2. The filter should be installed as close as possible (preferably within 15’) to an adequate floor or

laundry drain capable of handling the backwash cycle volume and flow rate (refer to unit
specifications).

3. All water conditioning equipment should be installed prior to the water heater. Water temperatures

exceeding 100°F can damage the internal components of the control valve and filter tank.

4. The filter should not be subject to freezing temperatures.

5. The filter should be installed before a water softener (if required).

6. Never install a cartridge type filter pr ior to the OXY3 iron filter. Any cartridge or in-line filter (if

desired) should be installe d after the OXY3 filter. T his will prevent restricting the water flow and
pressure available for backwash.

7. Appliances requiring extend ed periods of continu ous or high flow water use (i.e. ge othermal heat

pumps, swimm ing pools, lawn irrigation, outside hose bibs, etc.) should bypass the filter and a
spring check valve s hould be installed on the filter inlet to prevent backflow from the filter (see
installation diagram Fig. 1).

8. An expansion tank m ay need to be installed in the line to the water heater in order to allow for

thermal expansion and comply with local plumbing codes.

2

Water

Heater

Water Softener

OXY3 Filter

Untreated Water

Untreated Water for
geothermal heat pumps,
swimming pools lawn
irrigation, e t c.

Cold softened water

Hot softened water

Filtered Hard Water

FIGURE 1: Typical Installation

Installation Instructions

Aeration Tank

Filter Tank

Fillport Cap

FIGURE 2: Tank Positioning and Fillport Location

Spring Che ck

Valve

STEP 1: If media is already loaded in f ilter tank proceed to Step 4. Other wise, use the fillport wrench

provided to remove the fillport cap (Refer to Figure 2) by turning it counter-clockwise.

STEP 2: DO NOT REMOVE T HE WHITE FILLPORT SCREEN! Use the fill f unnel provided and add

the required amount of media (see unit specifications) to the filter tank. Do not overfill the tank.

At least 14” of freeboard (em pty space) is required at the top of the m edia tank to allow for

proper bed expansion during backwash. Any excess media may be saved for future
replenishment.

STEP 3: Clean any media out of the fillport cap threads. Do not reinstall the fillport cap until Step 9.
STEP 4: Place filter tank on right side with inlet/outlet facing left. Place aeration tank on left with

inlet/outlet facing right.

STEP 5: Attach the control valve assem bly to the front inlet opening of the aeration tank and outlet

opening of the filter tank . Attach the straight pipe adapter to the back outlet of the aeration
tank and inlet of the filter tank. HAND TIGHTEN UNION NUTS ONLY. DO NOT
OVERTIGHTEN .

3

Inlet from water supp ly

Outlet to service

STEP 6: Shut off water at main supply. Relieve pressure b y opening nearest faucet. On private well

systems, turn off power to pum p and drain pressure tank. SHUT OFF POWER OR FUEL
SUPPLY TO WATER HEATER.

STEP 7: Cut m ain supply line as required to fit plumbing t o inlet and o utlet of bypas s valve . DO NOT

PLUMB INLET AND OUTLET BACKWARDS. Piping should support control valve in an
upright position. Do not apply heat to any fitting attached to the bypass or control valve.

STEP 8: Use rigid drai n line or polyet hylene tubing ( NO VINYL TUBING) to run drain line from control

valve discharge fitting to f loor drain or sum p pit capable of handling the bac kwash rate of the
filter (refer to specifications and flow rate on page 8). DISCHARGE END OF THE DRAIN
LINE MUST BE FIRMLY SECURED! Failure to properly secure the drain line will result in the
drain line “whipping” and possibly flooding the area causing water damage. There must be an
air gap at the end of the drain line to prevent siphonin g of waste water and meet plumbing
code. Total length of drain line should be 15’ or less. AVOID OVERHEAD DRAINS.

STEP 9: Use a garden hos e or bucket to fill the media tank with water through the fillport. Ensure

media has been cleaned from fillport threads and install cap securely with wrench provided.

STEP 10: Be sure the control valve is in the “Service” pos ition (refer to tim er operation for inst ructions).

The bypass valve should be in the “Bypass” position. Open main supply valve o r turn on

power to pump on private well systems.

STEP 11: Open bypass valve ¼ of the way allowing unit to pressuri ze slowly. It is norm al for air to b e

trapped in the top part of th e aeration tank. Once tanks are pres surized, fully open bypass
valve to the “Service” position.

STEP 12: Set the backwash frequency for every third day (refer to timer operation for instruction).

Ensure that the skipper wheel is set so that the filter will not backwash for two more days. This
will allow the filter media time to saturate with water. Depending on the media used, subjecting
the filter to backwash flow rates within 24 hours of installation may flush media to the drain.

STEP 13: Set the current time of day on the timer (note AM and PM).
STEP 14: Check for leaks and correct as necessary.
STEP 15: Turn power or fuel supply back on to water heater.

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