Will these filter out iron? I am trying to look for an economical way to deal with my iron problem. The filter isn't very expensive ($34.99), and the replacement cartridges are $17.99. They are supposed to last roughly four months.
Brita On Tap Water Filter
- Thread starter ROLLIN
- Start date
You'll have to check with them about the iron. What size tank do you have?
They might last for 4 months under normal conditions, but you will be using it a lot more than than an average person if you do water changes on your tank. I wouldn't expect them to last half that time. In the long run you might save money if you just bite the bullet and buy an RO filter. (About $150)
Cathy
They might last for 4 months under normal conditions, but you will be using it a lot more than than an average person if you do water changes on your tank. I wouldn't expect them to last half that time. In the long run you might save money if you just bite the bullet and buy an RO filter. (About $150)
Cathy
I don't know about the iron, but I do know that it doesn't filter out chlorine and chloromines. It just filters out the smell and taste of chlorine.
Daniel
Daniel
smell/taste of Cl=bound Cl... I'd look up the things on their web page, but I suspect that they do filter out at least some Fe.
I set up my first tank, a 6 gallon, in August 2006, followed by a 10 in September 06. I use Brita-filtered water exclusively (well, in the six I originally used about 2 gallons of distilled water I had sitting around, but from then it's been all Brita). I figure if it's good enough for me to drink (and it is), it's good enough for my tetras and pygmy corys to swim -- to live in. Our water here in Albuquerque is hard and has some minerals in it that in time turn bathtubs orange and of course leave a lot of white mineral build up. Neither of these have happened yet on my aquariums and I credit the Brita. 
I'm sure other similar filters would work in a similar manner. Also, one can buy filters in bulk (up to 10 in a pack) at CostCo, and store filtered water in gallon and 3-liter bottles one buys spring & distiled water in.
I'm sure other similar filters would work in a similar manner. Also, one can buy filters in bulk (up to 10 in a pack) at CostCo, and store filtered water in gallon and 3-liter bottles one buys spring & distiled water in.I've thought about that, but I would have a problem. If I mixed R/O water and plain tap water 50/50 to get the iron down to a more reasonable level, it would bring my gh down too low for the fish I have. It would also make my kh quite low. The gh from the tap is about 100ppm and the kh is 90. The kh might not be much of a problem because I am a very frequent water changer and would probably replenish it fast enough, but the gh would.
Last edited:
If you have particulate iron (i.e., grit and small particles, mostly iron) then yes, it'll filter those out.
But I bet you mean dissolved iron; my well water has it. Then no, the Brita filters, or any other inexpensive mechanical + carbon filter ain't gonna do anything to it. The only thing I know of that will remove dissolved iron is one of those salt-based "water softening" systems that replaces the iron with salt, or a RO system, which essentially produces distilled water.
What problem is your iron causing?
But I bet you mean dissolved iron; my well water has it. Then no, the Brita filters, or any other inexpensive mechanical + carbon filter ain't gonna do anything to it. The only thing I know of that will remove dissolved iron is one of those salt-based "water softening" systems that replaces the iron with salt, or a RO system, which essentially produces distilled water.
What problem is your iron causing?
One of my tanks keeps going brown and gets a thick layer of brownish yellow foam/scum on the top. I called a local water treatment company and the guy said he is sure that the brown water is from ferrous iron and the foam/scum is from iron bacteria. He said he has been in this business all of his life and knows alot about it. What I have read online seems to confirm this. There will also be rust spots on clothes at times after they have went through the washer. So an R/O unit will filter out this type of iron? If so, I am planning on getting ths one http://www.petsandponds.com/securestore/c238376p16738892.2.html I plan on shocking the well with a couple jugs of javex for the iron bacteria.