Frequently asked questions:
Many have asked us, "Why doesn't Pool Supplier offer the AquaSmarter?
Pool Stores and Chemical Suppliers will not offer products with a low Profit Margin. In fact, they will not recommend or offer any product that makes them 'less' money as when they can sell Chemicals to the same customer every week. You could only imagine the difficulty we've had asking them to offer AquaSmarter Filters to their Customers that is only changed "Once every Year"... However, if enough of 'their' Customers begin using AquaSmarter, they will be forced to 'consider' Products that will Benefit the Customers as opposed to High Profit Chemicals that basically benefit themselves.
We have many Customers who have all types of Pools, including Vinyl, Fiberglass, Cement (Marcite), Plaster, Tile, Plastic and Wood. The 'key' to maintaining a Beautiful Chlorfree AquaSmarter Pool is to keep your Filter Clean, Backwash regularly and keep your pH level close to 'Neutral' 6.8-7.2 .
How do we maintain a chlorfree swimming pool or Jacuzzi?
The Aquasmarter is designed as a Bacterial and Viral Disinfectant as well as a Coagulant used to precipitate Dust, Debris and Metals such as Iron. ChlorFree Ionization is effective against more then 650 different types of bacteria and viruses. One of the most difficult and dangerous one is the famous Legonella. Ionisation is very effective against this type of bacteria. Also important to know is that the two most effective ways to remove and prevent the growth of a biofilm in distribution networks are Ionisation and Chlorine dioxide. We have studies about these subjects and are willing to share this with you if needed. You can find more then enough literature about this also on the internet. 80% of microbiology control in water is related to the growth or presence of a biofilm.
Since Jacuzzi’s produce (incubate) as much as 10x more Bacteria and Virus Colonies as opposed to ambient Temperate (room temperature) Swimming Pools. For Jacuzzi’s, unlike ambient temperature Swimming Pools, Bacteria and Virus ‘thrive’. Due to the increased amount of Bacterial and Viral growth in Heated water, Jacuzzi need a minimum of One-Capsule per each 500-gallons. Therefore, we’ve designed our AquaSmarter Ionizing Capsules to produce enough ‘concentrated’ Ionization to Safely Disinfect your Jacuzzi from Harmful Bacteria and Viruses.
During the First AquaSmarter month, we suggest that you keep track of your progress by using our 30-Day AquaSmarter History Report. After the first few days, your Pool or Jacuzzi will seem to maintain itself and the rest will be quite easy. AquaSmarter Ionizing properties have no effect on either raising or lowering the pH however, Ionization does require that your pH for ambient temperature pools remain close to Neutral (below 7.4) and below 7.6 for Heated Pools or Jacuzzi's.
There are basically only Three (simple) 'Keys' to maintaining a AquaSmarter Pool or Jacuzzi:
1. Maintain the pH near 'neutral' (below 7.4) and for Heated Pools/Jacuzzi's, between 7.4 - 7.6
2. Maintain Good Circulation by backwashing at least twice a week and run your Pump 7-8 hours and Change the components in your (sand or membrane) Filter as required.
3. When 'New Water' is added (rain or refilling) by more than 1/4" as new water is generally contaminated, add a little chlorine 1.0ppm for the day.
Where do you place the AquaSmarter?
The Success from AquaSmarter was built on the "KISS Principal”. We provide our Customers with a Product that is, "Easy to Use, Inexpensive and offers a 'Remarkable' Difference.
The AquaSmarter Filters are very Simple to install, Very Inexpensive and is Easy to use. Simply, place our (3") AquaSmarter Capsule's into your Skimmer or anywhere where they can remain Submerged where water circulates. For Pools or Jacuzzi's without a Skimmer Basket, our Filters can be simply placed anywhere near a Bottom Drain.
How do we Raise the pH of our water?
We do not recommend using Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) as raises the pH very quickly and consequently needs to be used with small amounts. Unlike most people who are unfamiliar with using this material in order to raise their pH ‘Slowly’, by raising it above 7.6 in ‘ambient temperature’ pools and 7.8 in ‘Heated’ Water to a high alkaline level, Ionization will quickly become depleted therefore, loosing the Effectiveness of the AquaSmarter Ionization Properties.
There are also side effects associated with absorbing Sodium Bicarbonate which result in metabolic alkalosis which is associated with muscular Twitching, Irritability and Tetany (tingling) and possible Hypernatremia (excessive sodium in the blood).
We suggest using a Calcium Based or Sodium Based Chlorine (in very small amounts) until the desired pH level is attained.
How can we Test for Calcium in my Chlorine?
Chlorine containing Calcium such as Calcium Hypochlorite will raise your pH however, Trichlor Chlorine has a Stabilizer which helps to maintain your pH. Trichlor is available in both Tablet and Granular form however, we recommend using Tablet form as it slowly dissolves and only needs to replaced every 4-days.
The following a Simple Test to see if there is a presence of Calcium in your (granulated) Chlorine which will cause the pH in your Pool or Jacuzzi to Rise.
1. Take a pH reading using your 2-Part Pool Test Kit.
2. Place a very small particle of your Granulated Chlorine in the pH Side.
3. Gently Rock the Chlorine Grain very slowly back and forth and
4. If the Color Changes to Bluish or Purple color or the pH Reading rises, you've got Calcium.
How can we Test for Ionization?
The moment that your AquaSmarter Ionizing Filters are immersed in water, they slowly begin to release minute quantities of invisible negatively charged particles into the water. Within a period of only 24-hours, charged ions begin to infuse into the water to Virtually Eliminate the need for Chlorine and other Chemicals for Pools & Jacuzzi's.
The AquaSmarter Ionization System utilizes an advanced process known as ionization, whereby electrolytically generated copper and silver ions are dispersed into a water stream for the purpose of Virtually Eliminate the need for Chlorine and other Chemicals for Pools & Jacuzzi's. Once the Ionization System is commissioned (submerged), the concentration of ions builds quickly within the system, producing a long and stable disinfecting residual that is unaffected by heat, sunlight or evaporation. The disinfection action is attributed to the positively charged ions which form electrostatic bonds to the negatively charged sites on microorganisms and then undergo reactions at the cell surface, crossing the cell membrane and beginning the inactivation.
AquaSmarter was originally designed as a Water Conditioning Submersible Ionizing Capsule/System that releases Ions to eliminate all forms of Bacteria and Virus, E.Coli, etc. Our Technology requires no electricity or special installation as it is simply placed into a Water Tank, Well, Cistern and most commonly used for Swimming Pools, Jacuzzi’s and Fresh Water Aquariums. AquaSmarter Technology is quite effective for populations with a high degree of Bio-Contamination and where the use of Chlorine is either unavailable or ineffective.
AquaSmarter was implemented with the Community of Flamingo Beach, Guanacaste in September of 2000 and according to their City Officials, they boast in having, “The Best Water in the World”. Another 'Clear' benefit from using AquaSmarter Filters is the ionization properties generated by these Filters attract Suspended Dust and Debris that continually enter your Pool and precipitate the coagulated dust particles to the bottom of the Pool. The ionized particles that are generated from these Filters, actually maintain a Sparkling Crystal-Clear appearance 24 hours a day, all year long. AquaSmarter provides a Healthier environment for your Family and is a completely safe form of Water Conditioning.
Testing for the presence of Ionization is quite simple as there are 3-distinctive ways to Test for Adequate Ionization Saturation.
1. The Quality of the Water will maintain a 'Rich Bluish' appearance.
2. The Quality of the Water will maintain a 'Soft and Silky' Feel to the Touch.
3. The Quality of the Water will maintain 'Sweet, Clean and Soft' Taste.
4. The Surface of the Water will maintain a ‘Sparkling Clear’ appearance.
5. You will actually ‘See, 'Feel and even Taste’ the ChlorFree Difference.
Will the AquaSmarter Corrode or Stain my Pool?
Corrosion:
Most Pool Owners agree that AquaSmarter Replaces the need for
The Ionization System provides certain unique advantages over traditional "chemical only" water treatment. Unlike most halogens and biocides, ions provide a stable, measurable disinfecting residual that is unaffected by water quality, heat or evaporation. The Ionization System does not accelerate corrosion rates, as do most oxidizing agents, and can actually reduce the use of these chemicals up to 90%. Savings in chemical use, plant preservation and labor offer the end user rapid pay backs. The handling and storage of potentially hazardous materials are also greatly reduced, and therefore so is the associated liability of handling Hazardous Corrosive Chemicals.
Staining:
The 'maximum' Cu (Copper) saturation level that AquaSmarter Ionizing Filters produce is 0.15ppm which is 85% less than EPA 1.3ppm Maximum Copper Saturation Standards however, excessive amounts of Copper, can deposit itself on these surfaces, giving a "Roman-Tub" blue-green appearance, which by the way, isn't too bad to look at as many Pool Owners actually prefer the blue-green color which was commonly prevalent in Mineral Baths.
AquaSmarter, maintains such a low Copper Saturation Limit (Less than 0.15ppm - or 85% lower than EPA’s Maximum Standards for Potable Water) that the amount of Copper allowed to permeate the pool is minimal and barely noticeable.
Heavy metals left in the pool:
Heavy metals play very important roles as cofactors in ionization, stabilization of protein structures, electron transfer and water ionization. Certain heavy metals like Lead, Copper, Mercury and Cadmium however, are toxic even at very low concentrations according to EPA Maximum Potable Limits in excess of 1.3 ppm (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/c-ioc/copper.html). AquaSmarter maintains a Copper Saturation Limit of ‘Less than 0.15ppm which is 85% lower than EPA’s Maximum Standards for Potable Water.
Should water chemistry be a concern (water hardness, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity) in an AquaSmarter pool?
Water Hardness is caused by water that contains Calcium therefore Chlorine that also contains Calcium only adds to Water Hardness. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is from dust, dirt, metals, minerals and debris that remains Suspended in the water. One of the Many Benefits from AquaSmarter is from the Ionization Properties that is generated from ChlorFree as Ionization Magnetically ‘Coagulates’ (attract) this suspended/dissolved material and Precipitates it to the bottom of the Tank, Well or Pool.
What chlorine does to your health?
The danger of Chlorine:
The addition of chlorine to our drinking water began in the late 1800s and by 1904 was the standard in water treatment, and for the most part remains so today.
We don’t use chlorine because it’s the safest or even the most effective means of disinfection, we use it because it is the cheapest. In spite of all our technological advances, we essentially still pour bleach in our water before we drink it. The long term effects of chlorinated drinking water have just recently being recognized. According to the U.S. Council Of Environmental Quality, “Cancer risk among people drinking chlorinated water is 93% higher than among those whose water does not contain chlorine.”
Dr. Joseph Price wrote a highly controversial book in the late sixties titled Coronaries/Cholesterol/Chlorine (available at amazon.com) and concluded that nothing can negate the incontrovertible fact, the basic cause of atherosclerosis and resulting entities such as heart attacks and stroke, is chlorine.” Dr. Price later headed up a study using chickens as test subjects, where two groups of several hundred birds were observed throughout their span to maturity. One group was given water with chlorine and the other without. The group raised with chlorine, when autopsied, showed some level of heart or circulatory disease in every specimen, the group without had no incidence of disease. The group with chlorine under winter conditions, showed outward signs of poor circulation, shivering, drooped feathers and a reduced level of activity. The group without chlorine grew faster, larger and displayed vigorous health. This study was well recepted in the poultry industry and is still used as a reference today. As a result, most large poultry producers use dechlorinated water. It would be a common sense conclusion that if regular chlorinated tap water is not good enough for the chickens, then it probably is not good enough for us humans!
There is a lot of well founded concern about chlorine. When chlorine is added to our water, it combines with other natural compounds to form Trihalomethanes (chlorination byproducts), or THMs. These chlorine byproducts trigger the production of free radicals in the body, causing cell damage, and are highly carcinogenic. “Although concentrations of these carcinogens (THMs) are low, it is precisely these low levels that cancer scientists believe are responsible for the majority of human cancers in the United States“. The Environmental Defense Fund
Simply stated chlorine is a pesticide, as defined by the U.S. EPA, who’s sole purpose is to kill living organisms. When we consume water containing chlorine, it kills some part of us, destroying cells and tissue inside our body. Dr. Robert Carlson, a highly respected University of Minnesota researcher who’s work is sponsored by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, sums it up by claiming , “the chlorine problem is similar to that of air pollution”, and adds that “chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of modern times!”
Breast cancer, which now effects one in every eight women in North America, has recently been linked to the accumulation of chlorine compounds in the breast tissue. A study carried out in Hartford Connecticut, the first of it’s kind in North America, found that, “women with breast cancer have 50% to 60% higher levels of organochlorines (chlorination byproducts) in their breast tissue than women without breast cancer.”
One of the most shocking components to all of these studies is that up to 2/3s of our harmful exposure to chlorine is due to inhalation of steam and skin absorption while showering. A warm shower opens up the pores of the skin and allows for excelerated absorption of chlorine and other chemicals in water. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 50 times the level of chemicals than tap water due to the fact that chlorine and most other contaminants vaporize much faster and at a lower temperature than water. Inhalation is a much more harmful means of exposure since the chlorine gas (chloroform) we inhale goes directly into our blood stream. When we drink contaminated water the toxins are partially filtered out by our kidneys and digestive system.
Chlorine vapors are known to be a strong irritant to the sensitive tissue and bronchial passages inside our lungs, it was used as a chemical weapon in World War II. The inhalation of chlorine is a suspected cause of asthma and bronchitis, especially in children… which has increased 300% in the last two decades. “Showering is suspected as the primary cause of elevated levels of chloroform in nearly every home because of chlorine in the water.” Dr Lance Wallace, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Chlorine in shower water also has a very negative cosmetic effect, robbing our skin and hair of moisture and elasticity, resulting in a less vibrant and youthful appearance. Anyone who has ever swam in a chlorinated pool can relate to the harsh effects that chlorine has on the skin and hair. What’s surprising is that we commonly find higher levels of chlorine in our tap water than is recommended safe for swimming pools.
Aside from all the health risks related to chlorine in our water, it is the primary cause of bad taste and odor in drinking water. The objectionable taste causes many people to turn to other less healthful beverages like soft drinks, tea or other sweetened drinks. A decreased intake of water, for any reason, can only result in a lower degree of health.
The good news is that chlorine is one of the easiest substances to remove from our water. For that reason it logically should serve it’s purpose of keeping our water free from harmful bacteria and water borne diseases right up to the time of consumption, where it should then be removed by quality home water filtration.
No one will argue that chlorine serves an important purpose, and that the hazards of doing away with chlorine are greater than or equal to the related health risks. The simple truth is that chlorine is likely here to stay. The idea that we could do away with chlorine any time in the near future is just not realistic. It is also clear that chlorine represents a very real and serious threat to our health and should be removed in our homes, at the point of use, both from the water we drink and the water we shower in.
With the realization that more chemicals enter our body through skin absorption and inhalation of steam while showering than does from drinking water. A warm shower opens the pores of the skin and allows a high rate of absorption of chlorine and other chemicals. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 20 times the level of chlorine and other synthetic chemicals than tap water due to the fact that these chemicals vaporizes at a lower temperature and at a much faster rate than water. Inhalation of chlorine and chemical vapors is known to be a strong irritant to the tissues in our lungs and a suspected cause of asthma and bronchitis. When chemicals are inhaled into our lungs they enter directly into our bloodstream and can have magnified effects versus ingested chemicals which are partially filtered by our liver and kidneys.
Chlorine was first added to a community water system in 1908 in Chicago and was instrumental in eliminating many types of water-borne disease such as Cholera and Typhoid fever. Prior to chlorination, many major cities had death tolls of 1 in 1000 people from Typhoid alone. Chlorine has been used to disinfect municipal water for over 80 years and has had some positive effects on public health.
In the 1970’s it was discovered that chlorine, when added to water, forms Trihalomethanes (chlorinated by-products) by combining with certain naturally occurring organic matter such as vegetation and algae. In 1992 the American Journal of Public Health published a report that showed a 15% to 35% increase in certain types of cancer for people who consume chlorinated water. This report also stated that much of these effects were due to showering in chlorinated water. The National Cancer Institute estimates cancer risks for people who consume chlorinated water to be 93% higher than for people who do not. The effects of drinking chlorinated water have been debated for decades. However, most experts now agree that there are some significant risks related to consuming chlorine and chlorinated by-products.