Clean Water Systems Tannin 5900e Series Installation manual

Clean Water Made Easy
www.cleanwaterstore.com
5900e Greensand Filter Installation & Start-Up Guide
Thank you for purchasing a Clean Water System! With proper
installation and a little routine maintenance your system will be
providing iron-free water for many years.
Please review this start‐up guide entirely before beginning to
install your system, and follow the steps outlined for best results.
GREENSAND MEDIA CONTAINS DUST. USE PAPER MASK AND
VENTILATE TO AVOID BREATHING DUST.
Questions?
Call us toll-free: 1-888-600-5426 or 1-831-462-8500
Email us: [e-mail]
See more information on our website:
www.cleanwaterstore.com/resources

Clean Water Made Easy
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Table of Contents
Packing List.................................................................................................................................................... 3
Greensand Filter 0.75 cubic foot size........................................................................................................ 3
Greensand Filter 1.0 cubic foot size.......................................................................................................... 3
Greensand Filter 1.5 cubic foot size.......................................................................................................... 3
Greensand Filter 2.0 cubic foot size.......................................................................................................... 3
Greensand Filter 2.5 cubic foot size.......................................................................................................... 4
Greensand Filter 3.0 cubic foot size.......................................................................................................... 4
Pre-Installation.............................................................................................................................................. 4
Best Practices for Piping & Drain Installation ............................................................................................... 4
Installation of Your System into Copper or Metal Piping Systems: .............................................................. 5
Assembly and Installation Instructions:........................................................................................................ 5
Fig 5. 5900e By-Pass and Pipe Connectors: .................................................................................................. 7
Assemble The Drain Line Flow Control Hose Barb:....................................................................................... 9
Fig 6. 5900e Pot Perm Line Installation: ..................................................................................................... 10
Fig 7. 5900e Potassium Permanganate Tank Set-Up & Installation: .......................................................... 11
Programming Your Valve: ........................................................................................................................... 11
Master Programming Mode: ...................................................................................................................... 12
Initial Backwash: ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Maintenance:.............................................................................................................................................. 15
Normal Operation...................................................................................................................................15
Battery back-up (this unit uses a standard 9 volt alkaline battery)........................................................15
How To Start An Extra Regeneration Cycle............................................................................................. 15
Error Codes ............................................................................................................................................. 16
Adding Potassium Permanganate:.......................................................................................................... 16
Troubleshooting the 5900e Greensand Filter:............................................................................................ 16
Pot Perm Not Being Sucked In During Regeneration..............................................................................16
System Not Backwashing Adequately..................................................................................................... 17
Pot Perm Tank Not Filling with Enough Water ....................................................................................... 17
Backwash Flow Rate................................................................................................................................ 17
What to Do If Your Filter Tank Does Not Sit Level On the Floor............................................................. 17

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Potassium Permanganate Tank with Float ............................................................................................. 18
Permanganate Tank Not Filling With Permanganate Solution ...............................................................18
How To Remove Media From Control Head........................................................................................... 19
More Troubleshooting Tips:.................................................................................................................... 20
Service Instructions:................................................................................................................................21
Replacing The Brine Valve, Injectors, and Screen................................................................................... 21
Packing List
Greensand Filter 0.75 cubic foot size
5900e Plus Backwash Control Valve w/ Bypass Assembly and Pipe connector kit (1”or ¾”)
8” x 44” filter tank with distributor tube
Blue media funnel for adding the Greensand media
8 lbs. Filter gravel
0.75 cubic foot of Greensand media
Greensand Filter 1.0 cubic foot size
5900e Plus Backwash Control Valve w/ Bypass Assembly and Pipe connector kit (1”or ¾”)
9” x 48” filter tank with distributor tube
Blue media funnel for adding the Greensand media
12lbs. Filter gravel
1 cubic foot of Greensand media
Greensand Filter 1.5 cubic foot size
5900e Backwash Control Valve w/ Bypass Assembly and Pipe connector kit (1”or ¾”)
10” x 54” filter tank with distributor tube
Blue media funnel for adding the Greensand media
16 lbs. Filter gravel
1.5 cubic feet of Greensand media
Greensand Filter 2.0 cubic foot size
5900e Backwash Control Valve w/ Bypass Assembly and Pipe connector kit (1”or ¾”)
12” x 52” filter tank with distributor tube
Blue media funnel for adding the Greensand media
20 lbs. Filter gravel
2.0 cubic feet of Greensand media

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Greensand Filter 2.5 cubic foot size
5900e Backwash Control Valve w/ Bypass Assembly and Pipe connector kit (1”or ¾”)
13” x 54” filter tank with distributor tube
Blue media funnel for adding the Greensand media
35 lbs. Filter gravel
2.5 cubic feet of Greensand media
Greensand Filter 3.0 cubic foot size
5900e Backwash Control Valve w/ Bypass Assembly and Pipe connector kit (1”or ¾”)
14” x 65” filter tank with distributor tube
Blue media funnel for adding the Greensand media
50 lbs. Filter gravel
3.0 cubic feet of Greensand media
ALL FILTERS COME WITH A TOP SCREEN, POWER SUPPLY, HOSE BARB FITTING AND DRAIN LINE FLOW
CONTROL BUTTONS
Pre-Installation
1. Review your packing list and make sure you have received all the parts before beginning
installation.
2. If you are going to be turning off the water to the house and you have an electric water heater,
shut off the power to the water heater before beginning installation in case water heater is
accidentally drained.
3. Pick a suitable location for your filter system on a dry level spot where it won’t be exposed to
freezing temperatures. A minimum of 20 PSI is required. Maximum pressure is 90 PSI.
4. Get all of your plumbing parts together before beginning installation. Installation typically takes
3 to 5 hours. However, after installation the Greensand Filter must be allowed to run through a
complete backwash and rinse cycle.
5. After the system is installed and running, your water may be discolored, or full of sediment or
rust, particularly if this is older or corroded piping. This typically clears up over a day or two.
Best Practices for Piping & Drain Installation
1. See typical installation on page 7 (Fig 2). The Greensand filter is installed after the pressure tank.
2. Make sure to connect the IN pipe to the 5900e inlet and the OUT pipe to the outlet (see Fig 3).
As you face the 5900e control from the front, the water enters on the right and exits on the left.

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From the back (see Fig 3) the water enters on the left. The inlet and outlet are attached to the
bypass valve, which is marked with arrows as well.
3. Make sure there is a working gate or ball valve before the 5900e Greensand Filter and also one
after as shown in Fig 2. The pressure gauges are optional and perhaps not necessary but a hose
bib (which is a faucet that you can attach a garden hose to) is strongly recommended after the
Greensand Filter and before the second ball valve. This makes it easy to rinse your new
Greensand Filter on start-up and gives you a place to test the water before it enters your
household plumbing.
4. If you will be using copper piping, do not sweat the copper pipe directly on to the 5900e control
valve. Avoid heating up the 5900e control valve plastic with the torch.
5. You do not need unions to install your 5900e control valve. If you need to remove it, the 5900e
has quick-release couplings that make it easy to put the Greensand filter on by-pass and remove
the filter system from the piping.
The drain line tubing (not supplied) is connected to a drain from the drain outlet using flexible ½” ID
tubing. Note that the drain can run up above the 5900e control and into a drain, it does not have to
drain down, as the filter backwashes under line pressure from your well pump. Most plumbing codes
require an air-gap connection, so that if your sewer or septic tank backs up, it cannot cross connect with
the drain tubing.
Installation of Your System into Copper or Metal Piping Systems:
If your new filter system is to be installed in a metal (conductive) plumbing system, i.e. copper or
galvanized steel pipe, the plastic components of the system will interrupt the electrical continuity of
the plumbing system.
As a result, any stray currents from improperly grounded appliances downstream or potential galvanic
activity in the plumbing system can no longer ground through the contiguous metal plumbing.
Some homes may have been built in accordance with building codes, which encouraged the
grounding of electrical appliances through the plumbing system.
Consequently, the installation of a bypass consisting of the same material as the existing plumbing,
or a grounded "jumper wire" bridging the equipment and reestablishing the contiguous conductive
nature of the plumbing system must be installed prior to your systems use.
This is simple and easy step to take if you are installing your water treatment system into copper
piping. A simple ground jumper wire with a pipe clamp can be purchased at any Home Center, or
hardware store, etc. for a few dollars.
Assembly and Installation Instructions:

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1. Wrap the top of distributor tube with black electrical tape or blue painter’s masking tape so that
no gravel or Greensand media will go down the distributor tube when adding the media. Leave
a folded tab of tape that you will be able to grab onto to gently pull off the tape after filling the
tank. When you are ready to screw the valve head on, apply silicone lubricant to the outside of
the distribution tube, and the O-ring on the control valve where the tube goes in.
2. Add the filter gravel that came with your order. You want the gravel to cover the bottom
distributor screen before adding the Greensand media.
3. Next add Greensand media. The tank should be about 2/3rds full of media.
Do not fill past 2/3rds, even if there is some extra media left over.
4. Remove tape from top of distributor tube. Be careful not to pull up distributor tube when
removing tape.
5. Fill tank completely with water. This will allow the Greensand Filter media to settle and reduce
the need of purging the air out of the tank later.
6. Attach plastic top screen to the under-side of the 5900e control valve. It is a funnel-shaped
plastic screen that snaps on to the control valve and prevents media from being backwashed out
to drain during the regeneration cycles.

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7. Add a small amount of silicone grease to both O-rings on the bottom of the control valve and
screw on 5900e control valve carefully. Do not use pipe-joint compound, vegetable oil, Teflon
tape, or Vaseline or other petroleum greases to lubricate tank threads.
Fig 5. 5900e By-Pass and Pipe Connectors:
Assemble the bypass valve:

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#1 #2
Flow Sensor >>
#3
1. When you remove the bypass valve from the box, the valves are in the open position. Holding
the bypass so that you are reading the In and Out (so that the words are not upside down to you
when holding the bypass), note the following:
2. The red handles are slightly arrow-shaped; the pointed end is pointing in the direction of flow
when open. The Inlet valve (on the left) turns clockwise, from full open at “12:00 o’clock”, to full
closed at “3:00 o’clock”. The Outlet valve turns clockwise from “6:00 o’clock” full open to “9:00
o’clock” full closed. The valves are stiff when new, so open and close them a few times. Leave
them closed.
a) Choose which yoke (3/4” or 1”, not pictured) you wish to attach to the back end of the
bypass. Remove the barrels (picture 1) and apply a small amount of silicone lubricant to each of
the O-rings (two on each barrel, four total) Push the barrels back into the bypass, and push the
yoke onto the barrels. Attach the steel mounting clips on each side and screw in the two screws
(picture 2).

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b) If the valve you are attaching the bypass to has a flow sensor (see picture 3), lube the two O-
rings and push the bypass assembly onto the flow sensor, and attach the steel mounting clips
and screws.
3. If the valve you are attaching the bypass to does not have a flow sensor, then it has the same
type of barrels that are on the opposite side of the bypass. Take out the barrels and apply
silicone grease to all four O-rings and push in the barrels and attach the bypass.
Assemble The Drain Line Flow Control Hose Barb:
Remove the clip, and then remove the Drain Line Fitting. Apply Teflon tape and paste to the Hose Barb
Fitting. Screw them together. Install the proper Drain Line Flow Control Button.
Remove the clip and the Drain Line Fitting (1st pic). Add Teflon tape and paste (2nd pic). Install DLFC

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Button (3rd pic). Re-install Drain Line Fitting and put clip securely in place (fourth pic). Choose which
DLFC Button to install based on the cubic foot size of your system (see table above). Note that there is
no DLFC for the 10 and 12 GPM units.
4. Now install your water pipes to the 5900e bypass end connectors. Make sure inlet is installed
to the “In" pipe connector on the bypass valve and outlet is on the “Out” connector.
5. Connect some flexible tubing from the drain connection on the 5900e control valve to a suitable
drain such as a septic tank or drain to a sewer. It is OK to run the drain line up and over the
5900e Greensand Filter up to 4 feet above the top of the tank. If the drain line will be more than
20 feet, use larger diameter tubing such as ¾” or 1”. Note that it is desirable to be able to run
the drain line into a bucket in order to test the backwash flow rate in the future. This is why hard
piping the drain line is discouraged, however, if you do use hard PVC piping for the drain line, and
you are able to remove the hard PVC drain piping and attach flexible tubing should you ever
desire for testing purposes, it is OK to use rigid PVC pipe for the drain. Make sure the drain tubing
is firmly clamped to the barbed fitting with a hose clamp to prevent leaks.
Fig 6. 5900e Pot Perm Line Installation:
Insert 3/8” diameter tubing into the potassium permanganate/brine tank connection. Screw the nut
with the sleeve and Ferrell attached to prevent leaking. Note in photos, you may receive either
black or white tubing.

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Fig 7. 5900e Potassium Permanganate Tank Set-Up & Installation:
6. First remove the rubber band that comes on the float assembly from the manufacturer. Add
enough clean water to the pot perm solution tank to bring water level about 1” above the felt
pad. Add one 2 or 5-lb jug of potassium permanganate granules to the potassium perm tank by
pouring it directly on top of the white felt pad. Do not pour permanganate down the white
plastic brine well where the black line is attached.
7. See the over-flow barbed fitting on the side of the perm tank. You do not have to connect this to
a drain. If the safety float were to malfunction, there is a small chance that pot perm solution
will drip out of this fitting. If this would cause a big mess where you have installed the greensand
filter, hook some tubing to this and run to a bucket, floor pan or floor drain. Normally no pot
perm solution will leak out of this fitting.
Next, you will need to program the system to work as a Greensand Iron Filter. There are a few settings
that must be changed before the system can be put into service. Plug in the control valve and
continue on to the next page to begin the programming instructions.
Programming Your Valve:

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*While scrolling through numbers, it only increases the value. To decrease the value, you
will have to “go all the way around” to get back to a lower value.
1. To enter main menu press the Menu/Enter button
(Time of day will flash)
2. To set time of day press the Set/Change button
(First digit will begin to flash)
- To change digit value press the Set/Change button
- To accept the digit press the Menu/Enter button
- (Next digit will flash)
- (Once hours is accepted all digits will flash)
3. With all digits flashing press the Menu Button to set A.M. or P.M.
- (Once A.M./P.M. is accepted the next menu item will flash) Example [ A ]
4. To Set Regeneration Frequency Press the Set/Change Button
- The recommended setting for a Greensand filter is every 4 days
- Once the last digit is accepted all digits will flash Example [ A - 04 ]
-If value is set to 0, automatic regeneration will never occur
5. To exit menu press the Menu/Enter button
Note: If no buttons are pressed for 60 seconds or longer the menu will
automatically be exited.
Pressing and holding the Menu/Enter button will also access some options: Flo- this is the flow
rate, if water is running, it will display the volume, in gallons per minute. Gt r-This the total #
of gallons that has gone through the filter. g tot- this is the same as the previous. rC r- number
of regeneration done. rC- the same. gPdL- shows how many gallons used each day. Gbrl- is
the gallons used between regenerations. PfDL- This shows the peak, or highest flow rate that
has passed through the filter in the last 24 hours.
Next you will need to set the Master Programming to be used as a Greensand filter, continue
on to the next page to finish the programming instructions.
Master Programming Mode:
Entering Master Programming Mode
-To enter Master Programming Mode press and hold both buttons for 5 seconds.

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1. Regeneration Time (r)
Press the Menu/Enter Button. The next display viewed is the option setting for
Regeneration Time. It is identified by the letter ‘r’ in the left digit. Set the desired time
of day that a regeneration may occur, if required. We recommend setting the system to
backwash at 2 AM, or at any time that it is unlikely that any water will be used. The first
digit(s) indicates the Hour and the other digit indicates A.M. or P.M.
Example: 2 A.M. regeneration time - [ r 2A ] (factory setting)
2. Regeneration Day Override (A)
Press Menu/Enter Button. This display is used to set the maximum amount of time (in days) the
unit can be in service without a regeneration. This option setting is identified by the letter ‘A’ in
the left digit.
Example: Override every 7 days - [ A - 07 ] (Factory Setting)
To Adjust this Value, press the Set/Change Button.
To Accept the Digit Value, press the Menu/Enter Button.
We recommend that you backwash your Greensand system once every 3 or 4 days.
3. Regeneration Cycle Step Programming (1)(2)(3)(4)
The next 4 displays viewed are part of a series of option settings used to program the
Regeneration/Backwash Cycle. Up to 4 steps can be programmed. Each display is used
to set the duration time in minutes for that specific step in a regeneration cycle. A step #
will turn on for the regeneration cycle step being programmed. Regeneration steps are
skipped by setting the display to 0 as shown below:
Examples: Regeneration Cycle Step #1 - 10 minutes - [ 1 - 10 ] (Factory Setting)
Regeneration Cycle Step #2 - skipped - [ 2 - - 0 ]
Set each step according to the values below, appropriate for a Greensand Filter:
110 minutes. This is the Backwash cycle. [ 1 - 10 ]
260 minutes. This is the Brine Draw cycle. [ 2 - 60 ]
306 minutes. This is the Rapid Rinse cycle. [ 3 - 6 ]
4For the Brine Refill Cycle, set the time according to the size of your system below:
0.75 cf: [ 4 –4]. 1.0 cf: [ 4 –5]. 1.5 cf: [ 4 –6]. 2.0 cf: [ 4 –6]. 2.5 cf: [ 4 - 6]. 3.0 cf: [4 - 8].
Exiting the Master Programming Mode
Press the Menu/Enter Button until all steps have been viewed. The Program Mode will be
exited and normal operation resumed. If no buttons are pressed for 60 seconds or
longer in Master Programming Mode, it will be exited automatically.

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Initial Backwash:
1If days remaining is not already at 1 press and hold the Set/Change button. Now, press and
hold the set change button again, until the valve begins the backwash cycle and the display
reads 1 –10. Now, proceed to step two.
2Start to put the valve into the service position by turning inlet the bypass knobs counter-
clockwise about a quarter inch, until you can hear water passing through the bypass into
the filter. Stop and wait until you see water coming out of the drain line. It will often be
mixed with air bubbles, but we will want to get all of that air out. When you do not see
bubbles anymore, keep opening the valve, a little bit at a time, stopping for a minute or two
each time. You want to see a corresponding increase in flow out of the drain line as you
increase the flow of water into the filter. After several minutes, you should have the valve
fully open, and with no media coming out. The water may appear milky white.
3Verify that the backwash flow corresponds with the size of your system below. You can
easily run the drain hose to a bucket and using a watch verify the flow rate in gallons per
minute. An adequate backwash is critical to properly clean the Greensand media and
prevent it from cementing together.
4Once the water is clear, press and hold the Set/Change button, and after 3 seconds the
valve will start to advance to the “Rinse” position. Once again, allow the water to flow for
about five minutes or until the water is clear.
5Press and hold the Set/Change button advance to the “Service” position. Next, open the
outlet on the bypass valve and then open the nearest treated water faucet to the unit and
allow the water to run until it is clear. We advise using a bathtub, laundry sink, or other
fixture that does not have an aerator screen as any remaining residue may get caught in the
screen.
Congratulations, you are done setting up your valve!
0.75 CF
5 GPM
2.0 CF
7 GPM
1.0 CF
5 GPM
2.5 CF
10 GPM
1.5 CF
5 GPM
3.0 CF
12 GPM

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Maintenance:
Normal Operation
-Normal display alternates between time of day and days until regeneration.
-Days remaining until the next regeneration will count down from the regeneration day
override value to 1 day remaining.
-Once the count reaches 1, a regeneration cycle will be initiated at the next designated
regeneration time.
Battery back-up (this unit uses a standard 9 volt alkaline battery)
-To install the battery the back-cover must be removed by removing the two back-cover
screws.
-Next insert the battery into the battery holding clip and snap the 9 volt battery
connector onto the battery.
-Replace back-cover
-Features of battery back-up
-The battery back-up maintains the time of day during power failures.
Note: During power failure to conserve battery power the display is turned off.
However, to confirm that the battery is working you can press either button and the
display will turn on for five seconds.
* Menus cannot be accessed during power failure
* If a power failure occurs while the valve is in regeneration the regeneration
will resume operation once the power is restored
How To Start An Extra Regeneration Cycle
1. Starting delayed extra cycle
-If days remaining is not already at 1 press and hold the Set/Change button.
-After 3 seconds the days remaining display will read 1
-Regeneration cycle will be initiated at the next designated regeneration time
2. Starting Immediate Extra Cycle - First, complete above delayed cycle steps
-With days remaining at 1 press and hold the Set/Change button
-After 3 seconds the regeneration cycle will begin.
3. Fast Cycling Through Regeneration
-First complete above immediate cycle steps
-Press and hold the Set/Change button
-After 3 seconds the valve will start to advance to the next step

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Error Codes
There are five (5) error codes that could indicate a possible problem with the control valve:
Error 2 - Homing slot expected. Valve will start looking for home.
(Normal operation continues)
Error 3 - Encoder is not sending a signal
(Valve requires service to continue)
Error 4 - Unable to find homing slot
(Valve requires service to continue)
Error 5 - Motor overload (stalled position or shorted motor)
(Valve requires service to continue)
Error 6 –Motor not getting power (usually, cable has disconnected from circuit board
Adding Potassium Permanganate:
Add one 5-lb jug of potassium permanganate every 3 - 4 months. Check the potassium permanganate
solution tank and when you see the mound of potassium permanganate disappear after a few months,
just add another 5-lb jug. In some cases, you won’t see the mound; you might just see solution after a
couple of weeks. This is OK; you still only need to add the potassium permanganate every 3 months in
most cases. If you have it set to regenerate (backwash cycles) every 1 –3 days, you might need to add it
more frequently, perhaps every 2 months.
Troubleshooting the 5900e Greensand Filter:
Pot Perm Not Being Sucked In During Regeneration
Most problems occur when the 5900e is not drawing in the brine. Make sure the injector is drawing in
the brine:
1. Remove the brine tank tubing where it enters the 5900e control valve.
2. Initiate a backwash and skip to the Brine Cycle by following the steps below:
A. Starting delayed extra cycle
-If days remaining is not already at 1 press and hold the Set/Change button.
-After 3 seconds the days remaining display will read 1
-Regeneration cycle will be initiated at the next designated regeneration time
B. Starting Immediate Extra Cycle - First, complete above delayed cycle steps
-With days remaining at 1 press and hold the Set/Change button
-After 3 seconds the regeneration cycle will begin.
C. Fast Cycling Through Regeneration
-First complete above immediate cycle steps
-Press and hold the Set/Change button

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-After 3 seconds the valve will start to advance to the next step, which is the Brine Cycle,
where it is supposed to suck in the brine solution.
3. If it is sucking strongly, check the brine tank float inside the brine well and make sure there are
no rubber bands around it, and that is free of obstructions. In some cases, it may need to be
replaced or cleaned, if there is suction at the control valve, but no brine is being drawn in.
4. If there is NO suction at the control valve port where you removed the brine line tubing, then
the injector should be cleaned.
5. If the injector has been cleaned and there is still no suction check to make sure there is obstruction
in the backwash line; that the backwash line does not go up and over the softener more than
several feet (which causes pressure loss and the injector not to work correctly); finally check to
make sure there is enough pressure. If possible increase your water pressure to softener from
your well pump and see if a slightly increased pressure makes the injector work. We recommend a
minimum 30 PSI but it does work better if there is 40 to 50 minimum PSI.
System Not Backwashing Adequately
The other main problem that may occur is if you do not have enough backwash flow rate to properly
clean the water softener. You can verify the backwash flow rate by running the drain line into a bucket
and timing it when the 5900e is in Cycle 1 or backwash. A 1.0 or 1.5 cubic foot system should have 2.0
gallons per minute and a 2.5 cubic foot system should have 4.0 gallons per minute of backwash.
Pot Perm Tank Not Filling with Enough Water
Sometimes if the pot perm tank is not filling adequately, it is possible that the float assembly in the tank
is set too low. You would want the float to be several inches above the air check valve inside the tank.
This will allow for enough water to be added to the tank before shutting the brine fill cycle. If necessary,
pull the float assembly rod up to the appropriate height, and cut the rod at that height, leaving while
keeping the rubber washers the adequate space to hold the float in place.
Backwash Flow Rate
One problem that may occur is if you do not have enough backwash flow rate to properly clean
the Softener. You can verify the backwash flow rate by running the drain line into a bucket and
timing it when the 5900e is in Cycle 1 or backwash. A 1.0 or 1.5 cubic foot system should have 5
gallons per minute and a 2.5 cubic foot system should have 10 gallons per minute of backwash.
In some cases, the 5900e may not be programmed correctly. See the 5900e service manual for
instructions on how to access the master programming.
What to Do If Your Filter Tank Does Not Sit Level On the Floor
Your black filter tank base is not glued to the bottom of your tank. Occasionally tank bases will
become crooked during shipment. If you find that that your tank does not sit level on the floor,
you can easily adjust it by holding the empty tank and rapping it on a concrete or solid floor
once or twice in order to level it.

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Potassium Permanganate Tank with Float
Permanganate Tank Not Filling With Permanganate Solution
Potassium permanganate is a powder that is poured on top of the “grid pad” in the pot perm tank.
During the brine fill cycle, water is added to the pot perm tank to make up the pot perm solution
required for the next regeneration.
If your pot perm does not have ½” to 1” of solution above the grid pad, the first to check is to make sure
it is filling the tank:
1. Disconnect the 3/8” black poly line at the pot perm tank or at the control valve.
2. Put the system into a regeneration cycle and advance to the Brine Fill cycle.
3. If it IS filling, remove the safety float and make sure the air check ball is moving free and not
stuck. A stuck float is often the cause of this problem and can be easily fixed. If the float is
defective or older than 5 years, replace float.
4. If it is NOT filling during the Brine Fill (BF) cycle, then make sure there are enough minutes. It
should be set for 12 minutes for standard size Clack pot perm tanks. If you have a larger
commercial size tank, set for 20 minutes.
5. If it is still not filling, the brine valve may need to be cleaned. In the 5900e manual, in the
diagram “Valve Assembly”, disconnect the parts listed and clean them thoroughly.

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How To Remove Media From Control Head
Sometimes, when doing the Initial Backwash, the media gets lifted up into the control head. You can tell
this happened because you will have little or no flow, either going out to drain while in the backwash
positon, or when in the service positon.
To remove media from a control head, do the following:
1) Put the Inlet Bypass in the Closed position.
2) From the Service Mode, initiate a manual regeneration, by pressing and holding the regen button
(button on far left).
3) The valve will advance to the BW (backwash) position, and start counting down. Press the Regen
button again, and wait for the valve to advance and stop at the Rapid Rinse (RR) position.
4) With the valve in the RR position, open and close the Inlet Bypass valve several times. After the third
or fourth time, leave it in the open position and check the drain line- do you have a good solid flow?
90% of the time, the answer is yes, but sometimes, even after opening and closing the valve many times,
you still don’t have good flow… But, in either case (good or no flow), continue…
5) With the Inlet Valve OFF, Advance the valve back to Service position again, and again press and hold
the Regen button, we are putting the valve back to the Backwash position.
6) Open the Inlet valve just enough so you can hear the water passing thru the valve- you should notice
a corresponding slow flow out of the drain line. After a minute, if there are no air bubbles present, open
the valve about another quarter inch- again, you should see a corresponding increase in the flow… And
you will continue until the valve is full open.
IMPORTANT:
Any time that you are in the Backwash or Rapid Rinse position, you may need to unplug the power- this
will hold the valve in its current position, so it doesn’t ‘time out’ and go to the next position. When you
plug the valve back in, after a minute it will return to where it was when you unplugged it (i.e. 2:32
remaining in BW). Understand, it is not possible to jam media into the head while in Rapid Rinse, or
Service, just in the Backwash, when the flow direction is reversed.
What you are trying to accomplish, after you have pushed the media back in to the tank in the Rapid
Rinse position, is to get the Inlet valve all the way open in the Backwash position, without it jamming
media back in the head, and this is the part where you have to go slow, open up the Inlet valve a little
bit at a time and let it run for a few minutes- this is why you may have to unplug it- and then, once you
have done that, finally, do one more backwash, starting with the Inlet valve open, just as it will be when
it does it automatically at night. Once it does that successfully, you are done.

5900e Greensand Filter Installation & Startup Guide
Page 20 www.cleanwaterstore.com Rev 082216
More Troubleshooting Tips:
PROBLEM / SYMPTOM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
SOLUTION
Iron or manganese or sulfur
odor in treated water after
Greensand Filter
No permanganate in solution
tank
Not backwashing often
enough
Water being used when
Greensand Filter is in
regeneration.
Permanganate solution is not
being sucked in during the
regeneration brine cycle.
Greensand media exhausted
Add permanganate powder to tank and
regenerate greensand filter
Set to backwash more frequently.
Backwash twice in one day and re-check
water.
If any water is used during the 90 minute
regeneration cycle, untreated water will
enter household piping. Set time
Greensand Filter regenerates to a time
when no one will be using the water.
Clean brine injector
Clean potassium permanganate tank
Replace permanganate support pad in
permanganate tank
Inadequate backwash flow. Make sure
there that Greensand Filter is backwashing
at the correct backwash flow rate (5 to 10
gallons per minute depending on size of
filter).
Low water pressure. Increase water
pressure to unit by adjusting well pump
pressure switch, or replacing well pump.
Replace Greensand media with new
Greensand.