Catalox

✅ What is Katalox Light

• Katalox Light is a catalytic granular filter media based on a zeolite (or similar base) coated with a high percentage (~ 10%) of manganese dioxide (MnO₂) on its surface. 

• The coating gives it a high surface area and catalytic properties, enabling it to remove more than just suspended solids: it can also oxidize and precipitate dissolved metals and compounds (iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide), which are then filtered out. 

🧪 What Katalox Light Removes / What It Does

Katalox Light is used for:

• Removal of iron (Fe²⁺) and manganese (Mn²⁺) from water — even at relatively high concentrations compared with simpler media.

• Removal of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) — effectively reducing rotten-egg smell and sulfur content in well water. 

• Filtration of suspended solids, turbidity, sediments, and even reducing heavy metals, radionuclides, some arsenic, and other contaminants through catalytic oxidation and co-precipitation (depending on water composition and presence of iron as a helper). 

• Fine filtration down to a few microns (often ~3 µm), thus improving water clarity and reducing particulate load. 

✅ Advantages Compared to Other Media (e.g. sand, simpler catalytic media, Birm, etc.)

• Because of the high MnO₂ coating and catalytic action, Katalox Light often outperforms standard media such as sand, Birm, “Greensand Plus”, or uncoated zeolite — especially in water with high iron/manganese or with hydrogen sulfide. 

• It tends to require less maintenance in some installations: no (or limited) chemical regeneration — often chemical free if designed properly. 

• Because the media is relatively light (bulk density around water), backwash water consumption is lower than heavier media, which is an advantage for household or small-scale systems.

⚠️ What to Check & Consider (Limitations / Best Conditions)

• As with any catalytic media, water pH, oxygen level, and flow rate impact performance. For instance, oxidation/co-precipitation needs certain conditions to work properly. 

• In some cases (especially for heavy manganese or hydrogen sulfide), an oxidizer (e.g. air, oxygen, sometimes chemical oxidizers) may be recommended to boost performance, especially for heavy-duty loads.

• It’s important not to mix Katalox Light with other media of different density or chemical behaviour — mixing media might lead to poor layering, channeling, or degraded performance. 

• When loaded in the filter tank, you need to leave proper freeboard (air space above media bed) to allow expansion and backwash — manufacturer guidelines generally recommend ~ 30–40 % freeboard. 

📦 Typical Packaging & Lifespan

• Katalox Light is typically sold in bags of ~30 kg (~1 cubic foot / 28–30 L). 

• With proper operation and maintenance, the media can last 7–10 years or more before replacement is needed.