MetalMaster / ArsenicMaster: Potential Problems and Solutions

HEME IRON - PINK IRON

MetalMaster™/ArsenicMaster™ media cannot completely remove organic complexes from biological degradation of vegetable and/or from bacterial metabolism. When well water is sporadically or totally untreatable by standard or simple methods, and samples appear yellow or pink but have little or no settled iron oxide, one should suspect heme iron. Heme iron takes on many different forms depending on the organism available for it to complex with. This problem seems to be localized in certain areas in the United States. Heme iron stays in solution rather than settling out due to the iron complex and is unusable for oxidation. In most cases, MetalMaster/ArsenicMaster media can remove all of the free iron and greater than 80% of heme iron. The resulting residual of heme iron can be run through the PureMaster™ V-750. The carbon will absorb the remaining organic heme iron complex.

LOW pH

MetalMaster/ArsenicMaster media will work extremely well between a pH range of 5.0 to 9.0. However, the higher the pH the higher the oxidation capabilities; A pH of 6.5 or higher is considered ideal. A pH lower than 6.5 may require extra media for contact time. Another approach may be a pH neutralizing filter prior to the MetalMaster/ArsenicMaster media to increase the pH to 6.5 or greater. Please reference the information on the website for pH balancing systems for correction of low and/or high pH problems.

OXYGEN

MetalMaster/ArsenicMaster media is a high oxidation media that requires an average amount of dissolved oxygen in the water in order for it to function at its most basic removal capacities. The content of tannins, iron/manganese bacteria can reduce the dissolved oxygen in the water, making the need for chlorination even that much more important. In the event of too much dissolved oxygen or gasses in the water, or a mechanical application that creates high concentrations, a burping (or carbonation) of the media can occur during backwash expelling media out the drain.

IRON and/or MANGANESE BACTERIA

The iron and/or manganese bacteria prevents the media from its oxidation capabilities. The ideal solution may be to super-chlorinate the well and piping system for 24 hours, then establish an ongoing residual chlorination system (see inline chlorinator) to control the bacteria. Once you have controlled the bacteria there will be no problem removing the hydrogen sulfide, iron and manganese with the MetalMaster/ArsenicMaster media, otherwise unchecked this bacterial problem would foul the media and render it useless.

EXCESSIVE MANGANESE

While MetalMaster/ArsenicMaster media is effective on hydrogen sulfide, iron and manganese, the reaction time on manganese is slower. Without the presence of other problems, this does not generally present a problem up to 5 parts per million. However, if levels are excessively high you may need to extend the dwell time over the media as long as there is also proper lift of the media for backwashing.

TANNINS

Tannins are not common. When present, tannins often may accompany hydrogen sulfide, iron and/or manganese. To remove tannins, follow the steps as explained with iron/manganese bacteria problems with a holding tank for extended dwell time or install the TanninMaster, then MetalMaster/ArsenicMaster media to remove the hydrogen sulfide, iron and/or manganese.

MetalMaster™, ArsenicMaster™, and PureMaster™ are trademarks of Vitasalus, Inc.