FAQ

Q. Why can these ions kill algae, bacteria and viruses and still be safe for humans, pets, small animals and plants?
A. We are dealing with very small particles that are measured in parts per million (ppm) that are sufficient to kill algae, bacteria and viruses, but insufficient to harm humans, pets, small animals or plant life. In fact, treated pool water is ideal for watering plants, as they need copper for normal healthy growth as well as for the control of fungus and mildew.

Q. Is there any electricity in the pool?
A. No. The electrical current is in, and can only be measured, within the flow cell. There is NO electrical current in the pool water.

Q. The IP - 1 Unit and a IP - 1-HC unit are both for 40,000 gallon or less pools ... but what is the difference? And why would you use one instead of the other?
A. The IP-1-HC is meant for pools with heavier usage and comes with a two-stage system that includes an additional Ultra Violet (UV) unit.

Q. What does the UV unit do?
A. It produces ozone, which is an oxidizer. The oxidizer assists in ridding the pool of tiny particles like body oils, dead skin, etc. and it also kills bacteria.

Q. Is the UV unit available on the 20,000 gallon or less pools? If so, how much would this add to the cost?
A. Yes they are available and would add an additional $200 to the system.

Q. Where was the process developed?
A. NASA developed the original process for the space flight program. The purpose was to recycle waste and so minimize the space needed for storage of drinking water.

Q. What are the limits on copper in water that I’ve heard about?
A. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirement for the allowable copper content in drinking water is 1.0 ppm or less. Our system maintains a copper level of between 0.3 and 0.4 ppm.

Q. How often do the flow cells need to be replaced?
A. It depends upon how often the pool is used, but normally two to three seasons.

Q. How do we know that the flow cells are working properly and if they need to be adjusted?
A. When you purchase a system you are provided with a simple testing kit that will tell you what the level of residual ions are in the pool.

Q. How do you adjust the level of residual ions in the pool?
A. The system has an easy to use control included that is for adjusting the ion level.

Q. What kind of maintenance do the flow cells require?
A. The flow cell needs to be cleaned once or twice a year depending upon usage. If there were five kids using the pool all the time, it would need cleaning two times a year -- otherwise one time a year. You can clean the flow-cell by removing the flow cell, sitting it upright in a sink or tub and filling it with white vinegar and then letting it sit overnight.

Q. What other kind of maintenance does an ION pool require?
A. The ION system reduces the need for chlorine and other chemicals, but all swimming pool require normal pool maintenance, such as pH balancing, adding acid to counter hard-water calcium in concrete pools*, filter cleaning, pH balancing, etc. The ION system eliminates the maintenance involved with adding and storing chlorine.

Q. What does the pool owner have to do about the pH balance and how often?
A. The ion system works at maximum efficiency with the pH between 7.2 and 7.6 with 7.4 being the ideal. Generally pH balance should be checked once a week and adjusted as needed.

Q. I’ve heard that “Kill Time” was important. What is it and how does your system hold up as compared with chlorine?
A.“Kill time” or “Contact to Kill Time” is the amount of time it takes for something like chlorine, or the ions in our system to be in contact with the bacteria before it kills them. The kill time with chlorine will vary greatly and will only have a short enough kill time if the free chlorine level can be properly maintained. Because chlorine is volatile and evaporates rapidly, and unevenly, it is almost impossible to keep the required level throughout the water.
On the other hand, copper and silver ionization has none of the above disadvantages. The contact time of silver, added by the synergistic (reinforcing) effect of copper, will kill bacteria and viruses within minutes. A very stable and effective concentration is easily maintained. Algae and other organisms, in or with which bacteria and viruses symbiotically live, are killed outright.

Q. What does "shocking" a pool mean, and why does it need to be done?
A. You shock a pool in order to handle very small things that the water filter doesn’t filter out, like body oils and dead skin, etc.

Q. How often does a pool have to be "Shocked?" and how do you do it?
A. Superior Aqua suggests once a week – by dumping one to two quarts of ordinary household bleach into the pool per every 15,000 gallons. This is very inexpensive and the bleach will do its job and evaporate off very quickly.

Q. Some people don't know how many gallons there are in their pools -- is there a way to estimate what size system is needed?
A. Multiply the width of the pool times the length of the pool times the average depth times 7.5 gallons.

Q. What kind of warranty is there?
A. There is a ten-year warranty on the electrical components of the system and a two-year warranty on flow cell for all residential systems.

* Hard water can be handled with our AquaVantage water conditioner that electronically treats all hard water coming into your home without the need of salt. Ask your representative about AquaVantage or call for additional information.