Regular
cleaning of your system's filter and diffuser is important to keep
the system operating at peak efficiency.
WHEN TO CLEAN FILTER
There appears to be a natural tendency to clean the filter more
often than required. Actually, a slightly dirty filter will filter
the water better than a new filter. The filter element will also
filter out finer particulates after it has been used for awhile.
This is referred to as "seasoning" the filter.
The time between filter cleaning will vary according to the severity
and type of water problems, the condition of your holding tank prior
to the system installation, and the daily amount of water usage.
To clean the filter, it is only necessary to hose the collected
debris off the filter pleats - it is not necessary to scrub the
pleat material or use any cleaning agents. The pleats will stain
over time and will not become white when cleaned. This is normal
and will not affect the function of the filter.
Use the following method to determine the cleaning interval for
your filter:
1. After initial start up, perform the first filter cleaning in
10 to 14 days. If the filter is not "loaded" with particulates,
clean again in 30 days. A "loaded" filter is defined as having more
than 1/2 of the filter pleat depth filled with particulates. If
the filteris not loaded at the 30 day cleaning, you can then set
your cleaning schedule to every 60 days. If not loaded in 60 days
you can extend the cleaning schedule to every 90 days. In no case
should the filter cleaning interval exceed 90 days.
2. If the filters are loaded at the initial 10 to 14 day cleaning,
continue cleaning at 2 week intervals until the filters are no longer
loaded. This bi-weekly cleaning will be required if your tank has
a lot of "growth" or deposits on the tank walls. The water treatment
system will remove this growth off the tank walls and your tank
will reach a point of stabilization. Once your tank has stabilized,
extend your cleaning interval to 30 days. If the filters are not
loaded at 30 days, extend the cleaning interval to 60 or 90 days
as appropriate. In no case should the filter cleaning interval exceed
90 days.
FILTER CLEANING
1. Leave the ozone generator ON.
2. Proceed to the tank manhole. Slowly pull the filter
module to the surface of the tank water, such that the top of
the lift pipe is just below the surface of the water. Remove the
Norprene hose from the inside of the 3/16 hose barb (inside the
manhole) to stop the ozone flow to the diffuser. Now pull the entire
filter module vertically through the manhole in one smooth motion
and place on most level area of tank. Do not pull up the filter
so fast that turbulence will be created as this will knock excess
debris off of the filter.
As you pull up on the filter, the lower flapper valve will open
and release the water trapped inside the filter. This creates a
slight vacuum inside the filter, thus helping to hold the debris
on the pleats in place.
Note - some debris will fall off the filter, but since this is
coagulated debris, it will fall rapidly to the bottom of the tank.
3. Hose down the filter with a stiff water spray, washing from
top to bottom using the cleaning wand provided. Remove the quick
disconnects to gain access to the inside of the filter and hose
from the inside out (reverse flow) for more thorough cleaning. Check
to make sure that there is no debris in the flapper valve that would
prevent sealing.
HELPFUL HINTS
You may wish to purchase an extra filter element. You can then
change the filter element on top of tank, clean the dirty filter
on the ground and store for next change. Once used, keep the filter
element wet.
DIFFUSER CLEANING
The diffuser will become restricted over time due to the ozone
precipitating out iron, manganese, calcium, etc., and plating the
surface of the diffuser with these contaminants. A plugged diffuser
will reduce both the ozone flow and therefore the water flow through
the filter, thus impairing the ability of the system to maintain
your water quality. A completely plugged diffuser can cause damage
to the ozone generator.
During the filter cleaning, remove the handle assembly to gain
access to the diffuser. Immerse diffuser with Norprene hose attached
in a gallon jug of swimming pool muriatic acid for about 30 seconds.
Make sure the ozone hose has been disconnected from the manhole
barb fitting as covered under filter cleaning, so no ozone gas is
flowing through the diffuser. If ozone gas is flowing through the
diffuser, it will keep the acid from cleaning the diffuser pores
and create excess acid fumes.
CAUTION: MURIATIC ACID NEEDS TO BE HANDLED CAREFULLY. DO NOT BREATHE
THE MURIATIC ACID FUMES.
Remove the diffuser from the muriatic acid and rinse completely
with water. It should become sparkling white. Repeat cleaning procedure
if necessary.
Replace the diffuser/handle assembly and tighten the quick disconnect.
Slowly lower the filter module into the tank and reconnect the Norprene
hose to the 3/16 inch barb fitting. Check for a rising pattern of
bubbles in the tank and replace the manhole cover.
HIGH HYDROGEN SULFIDE WATER
(Rotten egg odor)
In water systems with very high hydrogen sulfide, the diffuser
may become plugged with sulfur which is not soluble in muriatic
acid. If this is the case, first clean the diffuser with muriatic
acid as described above. Then rinse the diffuser thoroughly and
soak for at least 15 minutes in concentrated chlorine solution and
rinse.
ANNUAL MAINTENANCE
Once a year, the ozone hose from the generator to the mixer, and
the ozone hose from the mixer to the filter module should be disconnected
and condensation drained from the hoses.
BI-ANNUAL MAINTENANCE
The ozone generator UV light assembly should be replaced every
18 to 24 months to maintain peak ozone output. The UV lamp ozone
producing rays will decrease over time. This is due to the lamp
glass "solarizing" and becoming more opaque to the ozone producing
wavelength. Please note that the light you see coming from the UV
view port on the front of the generator can is visible UV light.
The wavelength of light that produces ozone is not visible to the
human eye.
The ozone output of your system will reduce to about 80% of new
after 12 months, 50 - 65% of new at 18 months, and 25 - 40% of new
at 2 years.
Ozone lamp replacement is especially critical when bacteria control
is needed. In this case we recommend annual UV replacement.
Trouble-shooting
Basic trouble-shooting of the system is quite simple. A decreased
bubble pattern in the tank means there is less ozone flow and therefore
less water flow through the filter, with the result being reduced
water quality.
Reduced or no ozone bubble pattern in tank:
1. Diffuser needs cleaning.
2. Check for ozone hose leaks with soapy water.
3. Bad air pump - replace air pump.
4. Leaking UV light assembly - replace.
5. Crimped ozone hose.
6. Leaking 6 psi check valve on mixer assembly. The 6 psi red check
valve is the one between the 3/16 inch barb tee and the venturi
eductor (see page 3). If this valve leaks, some of the ozone gas
will continuously bubble into the water feed pipe to the tank. To
determine if the valve is leaking, place your ear against the venturi
eductor and listen for a "gurgling" sound. If the check valve is
leaking, replace with new valve.
Water conditions were good, but then became worse:
1. Filter needs cleaning.
2. Diffuser needs cleaning.
3. Reduced or no ozone bubbles in tank - see above.
4. UV light assembly is more than 24 months old.
5. Large water usage such as filling swimming pool or irrigation.
6. Check the filter module flapper valve, located on the bottom
of the filter module, for foreign objects (leaf, twig, etc.) that
may be keeping the flapper valve from sealing.
Helpful
Information
Once your holding tank has stabilized, you will start enjoying
good water. If you have been living with poor water in your home
for some time, it is very likely that your plumbing has accumulated
deposits of the contaminants that are now being removed from your
water supply. These deposits will be removed from your plumbing
over time:
Iron: As your pipes are cleaned out, you may notice "spurts" of
iron colored water when your taps are first opened. This is especially
true for taps that are not used regularly. Cleaning out your toilet
tanks will remove any accumulated iron and help eliminate continued
toilet staining.
Odor/Taste: These problems are similar to iron in that you may
notice "spurts" of bad taste or odor when a water tap is first opened.
Calcium/Hardness: Your new Triple O system, through the use of
ozone/polarization technology, will make your water appear softer.
Your water will suds and act like soft water without any sodium
being added. You may still notice some hard water deposits on your
fixtures, but these deposits can be more readily removed because
they will not bond strongly. For extreme hard water, you may wish
to treat your water with an available water softener.
