Aer-Max - Model am001 -Closed Tank Aeration Systems

When the air pump runs, it injects air into the treatment tank and forms a pocket of compressed air in the top third of the tank. Water on its way to the home or other point of use enters the top of the tank and sprays down through the air pocket where contaminants are “oxidized,” turning ferrous iron (clear water iron) to ferric iron (red water iron) and hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur, making them easily filterable. The oxygen-rich water works its way to the bottom of the tank where it is collected and sent out to the next step, filtration, where the precipitated contaminants are removed.

Whether iron, manganese, or hydrogen sulfide is being treated, the Aer-Max unit must be followed by a filter to remove the oxidized contaminants. When treating hydrogen sulfide alone, either a backwashing filter or a cartridge style carbon block filter will work, but with iron and manganese, a backwashing filter is normally used because filter cartridges will clog and need frequent replacement.

The Aer-Max unit, followed by a filter, is installed downstream of the well`s pressure tank and before a water softener or ultraviolet unit. No pretreatment is necessary, but the Aer-Max can follow a feed pump injecting chlorine or other oxidizers or pH amenders. If the water is very dirty, putting a sediment filter in front of the Aer-Max is wise.

• Voltage. Both the air pump and the solenoid valve that controls the vent must have electricity. Aer-Max is available in both 220 and 115 volt formats. 115 volt is most common. 220 volt is used if the air pump is wired into the well pump`s electrical circuit.
• Pump-mount choices. Installation kits allow the air pump to be mounted either on a wall near the treatment tank or vertically on top of the treatment tank itself. The image above shows a standard system, with the air pump wall mounted slightly above the treatment tank.
• The new Deluxe Tank Mount system with vertical, on-the-tank pump mounting is the easiest and the most compact installation. See image at right. When used with the timer, no electrical wiring is needed. Just plug the pump and vent system into the timer, and plug the timer into a 115-volt wall receptacle.
• Pump control. For normal residential use, the air pump does not run continuously and it does not even need to run while water is being treated in the tank. The air pump only needs to run enough to keep the air pocket in the treatment tank fresh. This can be as little as ten minutes every two or three days.
• The standard way to turn the pump off and on is to wire the pump into the electrical circuit that controls the well pump, so that the air pump runs when the well pump runs. Alternative methods are to use a flow switch, which activates the air pump when water is running to the home, or a simple timer that turns the pump on and off at preset times. The easiest installation is with the timer. More details on pump control.