Locating and Filling Your Water Softener & Backwashing Filter Tank

For water softeners and filters that are larger than 1.0 cubic feet in size, Aquatell will usually ship the tank empty and the media (resin, carbon, etc) in boxes. Follow these simple instructions to add the media to the tank.


General Location Considerations:


  • Near the main water line entry point

    → Install the unit just after where the water enters the home, but before the water heater.


  • Accessible for maintenance

    → Choose a spot with enough room to access the valve head, disconnect plumbing, and replace media or resin in the future.


  • Proximity to drain

    → Softeners and backwashing filters will need to discharge wastewater during regeneration/backwash cycles. Ideally within 20 feet of a floor drain, laundry sink, or standpipe.


  • Proximity to electrical outlet

    → Systems with electro-mechanical control valves will require a standard 110V outlet nearby.


  • Consider the brine tank

    → Softeners and tannin systems will have a brine tank (aka salt tank) that needs to be located more-or-less beside the system and requires access for adding salt.


Drainage Considerations:


  • Adequate drainage capacity

    → Ensure the drain can handle the backwash flow rate of your equipment.


  • Backflow prevention

    → Check for code requirements regarding air gaps or backflow preventers in the drain line.


Installation Practicality:


  • Solid, level floor

    → Concrete or similar surfaces are ideal to support the full weight of a resin/media tank (especially when filled with water).


  • Avoid tight corners or overhead obstructions

    → Leave space above for removing the valve head and adding media or resin.


  • Temperature considerations

    → Install in areas where temperatures do not drop below freezing, as frozen water inside the system will cause damage.


Typical Locations

  • Mechanical room or utility room
  • Basement near main shutoff valve
  • Garage (climate permitting)
  • Crawlspace (if accessible and dry)

Installing The Riser Tube

The riser tube is a long plastic tube that terminates in a slotted basket:


Carefully inspect the slotted basked for any damaged slats. If all looks good, carefully lower the riser tube into the media tank. There is a dimple at the bottom of the tank that the pointed end of the basket will naturally rest in. If you're having trouble finding that dimple, give the riser tube a quick spin, and it will come to rest in the dimple. Once inserted into the tank, the riser tube should be about level with the lip of the tank. 1/2" above or below the lip height is perfectly fine.

In some cases we may provide a riser tube that is uncut. In these cases follow these steps to cut it to the correct size:


1.Mark the riser tube:

2.Cut just below the line:

When the riser tube is about level with the lip of the tank, the tank is ready to have the media added. Aquatell will have provided a tank-filling funnel for this purpose. We use two different styles of funnel. Some funnels include a device that blocks the opening of the riser tube. This prevents media from being loaded into the riser tube during filling. If we provide you with a funnel that does not have the riser-blocking device, the riser tube should be blocked with the provided riser plug or a piece of tape:

The media is now added to the tank. Please keep these important steps in mind:

  • If your system includes a gravel base (only for very larger softeners), you need to add 5 gallons of water to the media tank before the gravel is added. This acts to protect the riser basket.
  • If gravel is provided, this is added first, followed by the rest of the media
  • Media may includes softener resin, tannin resin, granular activated carbon, Nextsand, MicroZ, or several other granular media products.

Now that all the media has been added, remove the funnel, and remove the tape or riser plug from the riser tube. Use a brush to remove any media from the lip of the tank and the tank threads. The control valve mechanism is now ready to be installed on the tank.


Other Considerations:

  • We will provide the proper volume of media - add it all to the tank.
  • Don't worry if the tank isn't full. Media tanks are never filled all the way up - for most systems the tank is only filled between 1/2 and 2/3 full to allow room for the media to be backwashed.
  • Carbon media and Katalox Light media is dusty - a particle mask is recommended during installation
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