What is a Hydrox filter?

A Hydrox filter is an automatic backwashing water treatment system containing a high-manganese-dioxide catalytic filtration media. It is primarily designed for the removal of iron, manganese and hydrogen sulphide from water and is suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial applications.

What contaminants can Hydrox filters remove?

Hydrox media is designed to reduce iron, manganese and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). The media listed by GAPS Water Treatment contains more than 68% manganese dioxide and is specified for iron concentrations up to 10 mg/L (ppm), manganese up to 5 mg/L and hydrogen sulphide up to 3 mg/L, subject to suitable water chemistry and operating conditions.

Can a Hydrox filter remove both iron and manganese?

Yes. Hydrox can be used for combined iron and manganese removal, provided the water chemistry is suitable. However, manganese is more difficult to oxidise than iron, so the pH of the incoming water is particularly important.

What pH is required for a Hydrox filter?

What pH is required for a Hydrox filter? For effective iron removal, a pH of approximately 7 or above is recommended. For effective manganese removal, the water should generally have a pH of approximately 8 or above. If the pH is too low, pH correction may be required before the Hydrox filter.

Does Hydrox remove the rotten-egg smell from water?

Yes. The characteristic “rotten egg” smell in borehole and well water is commonly caused by hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). Hydrox is specifically designed to oxidise and filter hydrogen sulphide as well as iron and manganese.

Does a Hydrox filter need salt?

No. Unlike a conventional ion-exchange water softener, a Hydrox filter does not regenerate using salt or brine. The media is periodically cleaned by automatically backwashing it with water.

How does a Hydrox filter work?

As untreated water passes through the Hydrox media, its manganese dioxide surface catalyses oxidation of contaminants such as dissolved iron, manganese and hydrogen sulphide. The resulting oxidised contaminants are retained within the filter bed and periodically flushed to drain during backwashing.

Does a Hydrox filter need a drain connection?

Yes. Automatic Hydrox filters require a suitable drain capable of accepting the backwash flow. Correct drain sizing is particularly important on larger systems because sufficient backwash flow is required to clean and expand the media bed.

Does a Hydrox filter require electricity?

Automatic Hydrox systems fitted with an electronic control valve require a suitable electrical supply to operate the valve and initiate scheduled backwashing.

How often does a Hydrox filter backwash?

The appropriate backwash frequency depends on the iron, manganese and hydrogen sulphide concentrations, water consumption and system size. The control valve is programmed during commissioning to provide an appropriate cleaning cycle for the application.

Do I need a water analysis before choosing a Hydrox filter?

Yes, particularly for borehole, well and private water supplies. At minimum, the analysis should establish iron, manganese, pH and other relevant water-quality parameters. Hydrogen sulphide should also be considered where there is a noticeable sulphurous or rotten-egg odour. This allows the treatment system to be correctly selected and sized.

Can Hydrox be used on borehole and well water?

Yes. Hydrox filters are particularly suited to private water supplies where naturally occurring iron, manganese or hydrogen sulphide are present. The complete water analysis should be reviewed before specifying the system because other contaminants or unsuitable water chemistry may require additional treatment stages.

Will a Hydrox filter soften hard water?

No. Hydrox is an iron, manganese and hydrogen sulphide treatment media; it is not a conventional water softener. Where hardness reduction is also required, a separate water softener may be installed as part of the overall treatment system.

Can a Hydrox filter be installed before a water softener?

Yes. Where significant iron or manganese is present alongside hardness, removing these contaminants before the softener can help protect the ion-exchange resin from fouling. The correct treatment order should nevertheless be determined from the complete water analysis.

How do I choose the correct size Hydrox filter?

Filter sizing is based on the required service flow rate, peak demand, water analysis and available backwash flow. GAPS Water Treatment offers Hydrox systems across a wide range of vessel and Clack valve sizes for domestic through to large commercial and industrial applications.

Is water pressure important when installing a Hydrox filter?

Yes. The supply must provide sufficient pressure and flow not only for normal service but also for effective backwashing. A system can have adequate pressure during normal use but still have insufficient available flow to backwash an incorrectly sized filter.

How long does Hydrox media last?

Hydrox is a catalytic filtration media rather than a consumable chemical regenerant, so it can provide a long service life when correctly sized, operated and backwashed. Actual media life depends on water quality, contaminant loading, operating conditions and maintenance.

Can Hydrox filters be used for drinking water?

Hydrox can form part of a potable-water treatment system, but removing iron, manganese or hydrogen sulphide alone does not establish that a private water supply is microbiologically or chemically safe to drink. A comprehensive water analysis should be used to determine whether additional treatment, such as sediment filtration or UV disinfection, is required.

What information do I need to provide GAPS Water Treatment for system selection?

For accurate sizing, provide a recent water analysis together with the required flow rate, peak water demand, available water pressure and, where possible, the available backwash flow. For private supplies, details of the borehole, well or spring and any existing treatment equipment are also useful.