Neutralizer filters work by dissolving natural calcium and magnesium into the water to raise the pH to safe levels. Unlike many neutralizers online our neutralizer filters are specially designed to make it easy to add more mineral each year. Don't purchase a neutralizer that will be hard to service!

Each neutralizer comes with top dome hole to make it easy to add more calcite or calcite/corosex blend later. These automatic acid neutralizers use the famous Fleck Backwash Control Valves for years of trouble-free operation!

More information on acid neutralizers:

Large Capacity: Won't restrict pressure or flow unlike cheaper uplfow neutralizers or converted water softeners neutralizers commonly found online.

Fully Automatic: Sediment and particles are automatically flushed from system, and filter media cleaned! No monthly maintenance. Reliable Fleck backwash control valve for long life and low maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Acid Neutralizer Filters:

Q. I see you offer the Clack WS1 control valve and also two types of backwash control, the Fleck 2510 and Fleck 7000. Which one should I get?
A. We highly recommend the Clack WS1. Some customers had existing Fleck control valve neutralizers before so they want to replace their system with a Fleck. The Clack has a bypass valve that it is a little easier to use than the Fleck. We prefer the Clack but both brands are fine.

Q. What is the difference between the Fleck 2510 and Fleck 7000?
A. If you have over 2 bathrooms and a higher peak flow rate demand though, it is better to get the Fleck 7000 as it has less pressure drop and offers a higher flow rate than the Fleck 2510. If you have one or two bathrooms, use the Fleck 2510 1.5 cubic foot. If you have 1 bathroom with low water use, you should use the Fleck 2510 1.0 cubic foot.


Q. What maintenance is required?
A. There is very little maintenance. A quick once per year refill of the tank with calcite is all that is usually required. Periodically, and depending on raw water pH and the amount of water used, additional mineral is easily added to the filter tank. This is typically once a year for the average home. In some cases, the calcite or calcite-corosex blend is added twice a year depending on the pH and amount of water that is used through the neutralizer filter. Because our neutralizers have a top fill plug and a bypass valve it easy to add the mineral. Just put the neutralizer on bypass, release the pressure by manually backwashing the neutralizer filter, and unscrew the top plug using any medium sized channel lock pliers or crescent wrench (available at any hardware store). Stick a tape measure into the fill plug hole and determine if the calcite mineral is less than 2/3rds full. If it is, simply add more calcite until the neutralizer tank is 2/3rds full again, re-install the fill plug and backwash the neutralizer. This entire process takes about 20 minutes.



Q. Does the neutralizer systems come with the media, or do I need to order the calcite separately?
A. Yes it comes with the calcite, it is included in the price. You can get a discount upon check out if you want to order additonal calcite or calcite corosex blend, but you won't need it for six to twelve months at least.


Q. How much does it cost to ship the calcite neutralizer to me?
A. Nothing, it is included in the price.


Q. Do you ship to Canada?
A. Yes, for a an additional charge but we do ship regularly all over Canada.


Q. I have seen some other neutralizers online that don't have automatic backwash controls called 'Up-flow Neutralizers". Is there any reason not to use these?
A. The backwash control valves we offer use very little electricity, and you can install it and forget it except for a once per year maintenance to add more calcite. If you do want a manual backwash control though,we do have them so contact us for the price. We don't recommend up-flow neutralizers for homes unless a filter is installed before and after the neutralizer, which creates more maintenance and more trouble in the long run.


Q. Is there a pressure loss through the system?
A. Properly sized, the system produces a very low pressure drop at service flow rates, usually around 5 psi. The Clack WS1 has a better flow rate with less pressure drop than the Fleck 2510.


Q. How do acid neutralizer filters work?
A. Acidic neutralizers slowly dissolve the calcium and/or magnesium media on contact as the water flows through the filter, raising the pH of the water and increasing the alkalinity. This eliminates the effects of corrosive water chemistries, eliminating the effect of acid well water, and can help to prevent corrosion of piping and fixtures. They contain either 100% calcite, or a blend of calcite and corosex. Calcite is a natural calcium mineral that is mined for this purpose. Corosex is a trade name that is a natural mineral product which contains magnesium oxide. Also read our guide How to Treat Acid Well Water.


Q. I have heard of "magnetic acid neutralizers", do those work?
A. A magnet or a catalytic gadget will not take the place of a calcite acid neutralizer tank. These do not raise the alkalinity or change the water chemistry, and we do not recommend them to correct corrosive well water.


Q. Do you sell neutralizers with Fleck 5600 controls?
A. No we don't recommend the Fleck 5600 control. It is an economy model backwash control and unlike the other models, there is no way to adjust the length of the backwash.


Q Do you offer any other sizes?
A. Yes. We have sizes up to 1200 lbs or 12 cubic foot, so contact use if you need a quote for a commerical or other special need.


Q. Do you sell Clack or Autotrol control valves for neutralizers?
A. We prefer Clack WS1 control valves. They have much less problems and are very reliable.


Q. Why not use an up-flow neutralizer, which does not have a backwash control valve?
A. We have these too and you can deduct $150 off the price for an upflow however we do NOT recommend them. Many people call us regularly with problems they are having with the upflow neutralizers. The biggest problem is channeling where the water flows up the side of the tank and the media does not dissolve properly and forms balls or solid blocks of calctite or corosex inside the tank. It is better to use a backwash control because the media is periodically flushed with water (usually once every one or two weeks) which keeps the media in good shape and prevents channelling.

Q. I notice in your diagram that you show the neutralizer after the pressure tank. Why can't I install the neutralizer filter before the pressure tank?

A. All backwashing filter systems (such iron filters, softeners, any type of backwash system) must be after the pressure tank because when the backwashing filter goes into a backwash, say at 2am on a given night, there must be pressurized water entering the inlet to the sediment filter, in order for it to backwash properly.

If the pressure tank were after the system, and the filter system went into a backwash, the well would not turn on because there is a check valve before the pressure tank to prevent the water from being discharged back into the well, and the pressure switch would not register that the pressure had dropped and the pump must turn on.   If the check valve was down the well, or on the other side of the sediment filter, say on the inlet to sediment, when the sediment filter went into a backwash, the water would enter the sediment filter through the outlet on the sediment, not the inlet, causing it not to backwash and causing other problems.

The pressure tanks have the in and out pipe (typically one pipe on captive-air pressure tank) on the direct bottom of the pressure tank, so usually no sediment will build-up in the tank.  But in any case, there is no way to use a backwashing filter before the pressure tank. 

Also, say you wanted to use a cartridge filter instead of a backwashing filter system, and you placed a cartridge type filter before the pressure tank. After a while if this filter became plugged up, your well would not be able to shut off properly because the pressure on the inlet side of the filter from the well is much higher than the pressure tank pressure.  This will cause the pressure switch to rapidly turn on and off and eventually cause damage to the well pump motor.

Generally it is NOT a good idea to put any type of flow restriction such as a filter cartridge or backwash filter before your pressure tank and it is not necessary in any case because modern pressure tanks are lined with a special coating to prevent corrosion.

Q. Regarding the drain line for the backwash, can I run that with a garden hose and use it to irrigate my garden?

A. Yes, the backwash line can be run with a garden hose. In some areas local codes prohibit the re-use of backwash water from filter systems or water softeners.

Q. Can I run the drain line up and over the top of the neutralizer filter? My drain is in on the ceiling above the where I want to install it.

A. Yes it is no problem to run the drain line up several feet higher than the top of the neutralizer tank, because the neutralizer filter backwashes under line pressure from your pressure tank and well pump system.

Read our report: "How to Treat Acid Well Water" using calcite neutralizers

Read our report: "How to Treat Copper Pipe Corrosion"

See our page on Acid Well Water and Low pH