 Filtersorb SP3® Conditioning FAQ
What are the differences between traditional salt using water softening
and the Filtersorb SP3 media?
- >99% scale removal from pipes and water using appliances
- Lime scale prevention
- No Power
- No Backwash
- No Maintenance
- No Salt
- No Chemicals
How do the Filtersorb SP3 function?
Hard water is water that has high mineral content mainly charged dissolved
magnesium (Mg2+) and calcium (Ca2+) carbonate (temporary hardness).
Filtersorb SP3 is a catalyst media which transforms the dissolved Mg2+
and Ca2+ carbonate into non-charged neutral chemical bonds (calcite
crystals). When the crystals reach size in the range of nanometer
(microscopic) they detach and are carried away by the water flow. The
crystals are heat resistant and do not revert to dissolved state.
How can I test the media performance?
Answer for water treatment dealer: Depend on the flow rate and media
contact time with water the pH will drop by 0.2-0.5 units and the
TDS value is reduced significantly. Percentage TDS reduction depends
of the original TDS value. We had TDS reduction between 10-20%. Dealers
wanted>>
Answer for homeowner: Use two sauce pans each filled with unconditioned
and conditioned water and bring them to boiling point. As the water
boils down the unconditioned water will build up hard scum on the side
of the sauce pan. The conditioned sauce pan will have no hard scum
build on the side of the pan and you will see a circulation of hardness
crystals at the bottom of the pan. These crystals are easily wiped
out with cloth or sponge. 
 What
effects should I expect after installing Aquacera system w/Filtersorb
SP3 media?
1. New construction home; soft water will feel silk
and no lime scale deposits on bath tubs, shower glass and
plumbing fixtures.
2. Existing construction home; with or without "classical" softener
you may notice that the water is becoming harder in the beginning as
piping scale begins dissolving. It will improve daily
as the existing scale melts away. Depending on the thickness of the
existing scale it will take some time (up to 90 days) to remove
100%. The dissolved scale residue is easily wiped off with a cloth or a sponge.
Once de scaling is completed your pipes will remain free of lime scale build
up. You may experience a salty taste or slight odor in the water for
a short period of time after removal of the old softener. This is because
the old softener was under performing causing calcium/sodium build
up in piping system. The new conditioner will remove the calcium/sodium
build up.
Will Filtersorb SP3 media descale my existing
lime scale build up on toilets, shower/tub enclosures, faucets etc.?
Because there is not direct water flow across these surfaces, other
than water splashing, the old scale has to be removed manually using
lime removal cleaners. Any new accumulation will wipe of easily.
If you use a dishwasher and replace a salt based softener with Filtersorb
you may notice some calcium spotting on glassware. This will diminish
to the residual level of the calcium present in your water supply when
the descaling is completed. In the interim add a half cup of household
vinegar to the rinse cycle to eliminate a short term spotting problem.
You should switch to a phosphate free dishwasher detergent and reduce
your soap usage to the level you used with salt softener.
During the de scaling period flush your water heater for about five minutes
once a week. Once de scaling is completed your water heater will be
more energy efficient and last longer. Additional benefits with Filtersorb
are 50% less soap and detergent use and best of all not having corrosive sodium in your water.
Is the Filtersorb SP3 media certified?
The SP3 meets the stringent European water quality
standards, which include the DVGW-W512 guidelines. The German test method DVGW-W512
was developed for the evaluation of the efficiency of water treatment
installations for reducing lime scale build-up. Soon to be submitted
for testing under DVGW-W512. The test result will be published on this
page upon completion.
In addition to, the Filtersorb SP3 media was tested and approved by
WQA in the USA to ANSI/NSF standard 61 for materials safety (to be
in contact with potable water) and carry WQA gold seal.
What are the operating conditions?
Contact time with water 9 seconds, pH range 6-9, chlorine less than
3 ppm, iron (Fe), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), oil and grease must
be removed prior Filtersorb conditioner. Max. temperature up to
150° F
however the maximum temperature is governed by media tank and other
components used in a system. The
range of hardness with the two models offered on our web site are
up to 25/425 g.p.g/mg.L. The SP3 media is not limited to the water
hardness therefore we can design system to any level of hardness.
For best performance it is recommended that the media "rest" for
8 hours per day. This is never a problem in residential installation.
In commercial applications running 24 hours a day two systems should
be used alternating each 8 hours shift.
Technical data of the SP3 media?
Surface: Ceramic. Matrix: Polyacryl. Size: 0.4 - 1.2 mm. Color: Light
yellow. Bulk density: 50 lbs. per cu. ft.
Will iron foul the SP3 media?
No. The media ceramic-polymer spheres oxidizes the dissolved iron
to a precipitated particulate form. We use a proprietary filled media
backwash system after the conditioner to trap the iron particles.
Daily automatic backwash of the media tank is the only requirement.
This way we soften the water and to remove iron (up to
40 ppm) with no salt and no chemicals.
This is a new, the most advanced patented approach to water conditioning
and iron removal.
Since there is no backwash needed what prevents the media bed from getting fouled?
The media operates in continuous up flow backwash condition therefore
do not filter anything from the water. The SP3 media works as a catalyst
only, not as a filtration media therefore there is accumulation of
anything in the suspended bed of the SP3 media. The media holding tank
contains about 25-30% media and the rest of it is freeboard backwash
volume.
What if the media bed gets contaminated with bacteria?
Continuous backwash is the best action to keep the media clean.
The media can be treated with chlorine (up to 2-3
ppm) to kill bacteria and to remove organic matter.
What is the life expectancy of the SP3 media before needing to be replaced?
CWG of Germany is a patent holder and manufacturer of the SP3 media.
Several years ago CWG had installed over 500 conditioners in real
life applications for annual field testing purposes. The fifth annual
test was performed in 2006 with results of zero media attrition (spend
ability) and conditioning the water with the same performance as day one, when they were initially installed. So, conservative estimation is
at least 6 years.
How the SP3 media compares with "classical" ionic exchange salt softeners?
The SP3 nano ceramic technology is the most innovative advancement in water
treatment in the last quarter century. It does not add nor remove anything
from the water. It leaves the water in it's own natural state with
all the benefits of naturally soft water.
Unlike salt conditioned water, Filtersorb conditioned water
meets WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines on calcium and magnesium
content in drinking water.
The "classical" ion exchange resin technology is over 60
years old and works on a different principal. In ion exchange softeners
for each calcium and magnesium ion removed (the hardness minerals)
two sodium ions are added to the water which can have adverse effects
to humans, environment, plant life, septic fields etc.
In many parts of the world as well in US there are outright bans and
or pending legislation to stop salt discharge into municipal sewers.
Imagine the kind of problem a sewer treatment plant
will have with hundreds or thousands softeners discharging salt brine down the drain. Salt brine interferes with the bacteria inhibiting
capabilities in degradation of the raw sewage.
Isn't potassium better alternative to "no salt" regeneration?
No!!! It is not the healthy potassium (K) used as a regenerants. It is
potassium chloride (KCL), a substitute for salt (sodium chloride) with
same if not worst adverse effects to humans, environment etc. as salt
except it's more expensive. Let's face it. It's still a salt but the
word "potassium" makes
a better sales pitch. They both remove valuable calcium and magnesium
from the water.
Salt softened water feels mushy, slippery and slimy when showering
and gives a "can't rinse the soap off my skin" feeling. This feeling
comes from the sodium reacting with your body oils.
Most detergents contain a lot of sodium which produce a lot of suds
but the suds have no cleaning effect. A typical salt softener salesperson
will demonstrate the suds effect for a salt softener performance.
What about magnet softeners, how effective are they?
We do not know of magnets that work efficiently on constant water
flow demand. There may be some magnet products that perform satisfactorily
in closed loop systems such as boilers feed water where only trickle
water is added to the system.
Hard water cannot be magnetized. For something to be magnetized and
alter the ionic state it need to possess a good amount of ferromagnetic
materials in its composition. Calcium and magnesium ions don't have
any so, how those inexpensive "alternatives" to salt free
softening gadgets will "soften" the water.
In what applications can conditioners
with Filtersorb SP3 media be used?
In residential applications where superior quality water
is desired for taste and naturally like soft water functionality.
In commercial applications where de scaling and scale prevention is required
such as:
- Restaurants, commercial kitchens and coffee shops; extends the life
and reduces maintenance of ice makers, coffee machines, dishwashers,
water heaters, steamers, laundry equipment. A plus is better tasting water
and less coffee use.
- Landscaping and greenhouses; improve soil percolation for stronger
root propagation.
- Specialty applications; boiler feed water, solar equipment, RO
pretreatment, cooling towers, car washes and many other applications.
How are your systems sold?
Aquacera brand systems with CWG media are sold through professional
water treatment dealers as well directly to retail consumers having
water analysis report.
CWG FILTERSORB SP3 MEDIA - THE NO SALT APPROACH
TO WATER CONDITIONING. THE FUTURE OF WATER CONITIONING!
MAKE THE CHANGE.
Filtersorb SP3® is registered trade mark of CWG
Gmbh., Germany. CWG USA is an authorized user for N. America. |
