WATER IONIZER FAQ

Is a Water ‘ionizer’ the same as a Water ‘electrolyzer’?

Yes. The correct term is “electrolyzer”, but “ionizer” is in common use.

Does the Water Ionizer Plus have a switching power supply (SMPS)?

Yes. We do not make a big deal of it like some of our competitors do. Perhaps their product doesn’t have much else to talk about.

What is the warranty?

Oxy-Water Water Ionizer SM1 comes standard with a 2-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects in material and workmanship.

Is it difficult to install?

No. You simply attach a small hose to the end of your faucet with a diverter value. You can probably get by without any tools too if the end of your faucet unscrews easily. This type of installation takes only minutes, may be easily removed, and will not “tie up” your sink. The unit can be wall mounted or positioned on your counter top. It will require an area 10.4 inches wide and 6.0 inches deep.

Is it difficult to use?

No, and it can hardly get any simpler with the Oxy-Water Water Ionizer Plus SM1. Lift the switch on the diverter value at the end of your faucet to route the water into the Water Ionizer. One button on the device controls the level of alkalinity produced — for the most the part you will not change this very often (there are 4 levels). Simply hold your cup beneath the adjustable stainless steel hose/spout to catch the delicious alkaline-ion water.

How many electrolysis plates does it have?

This is the wrong question to be asking because the strength of a water electrolyzer depends upon how powerful it is. The unit’s power is measured in watts. The Oxy-Water Water Ionizer Plus SM1 is 200 watts and strong enough to not need any mineral additions or “electrolysis enhancer” to obtain sufficient alkalinity. The number of plates is unimporant. We too could cut our plates in half and stack them and have more plates than everyone else, but there is just no reason to do so.

What type of filter is used in the Ionizer Plus?

The Water Ionizer Plus utilizes granular activated carbon to absorb chlorine and chemicals. It utilizes another carbon stage to absorb lead. It has a 0.1 micron membrane filter that will block anything larger than 0.1 micron — that includes all bacteria.

The filter is good for 6000 liters before requiring replacement, unless you have a lot of sediment in your water (i.e. from shallow wells). In that case, we suggest you pre-filter your water. 6,000 liters will last the average family of four about one year based on usage of 4.3 gallons of water per day. The Oxy-Water Water Ionizer Plus features a digital meter that monitors the exact amount of water that has been processed through the filter. Audible and visual indicators will inform you when it is time to replace the filter. The digital meter retains its value even when unplugged. A filter change takes only about a minute.

Can I use it with a water softener?

No. Water softeners usually work as an ion exchange — they replace the calcium and magnesium in your water with sodium or potassium. If this water is then routed into a water ionizer, it will concentrate the minerals present, which in the case of sodium results in water that tastes salty. Most importantly, people usually do not need so much sodium in their diet, so it is not a good idea. We suggest that you either run a separate pipe bypassing the softener and connecting to your kitchen cold-water tap, or disconnect the softener. The best way to hook up a water softener is just to soften the hot water (the Water ionizer can only use cold water anyway). This will extend the life of the water softener and it is a simple change for a plumber. If the whole house has been connected to the water softener and you do not want to disconnect it, there is still another option. Good water softener people will not connect the softener to outside tap water because the salt in the water will kill the plants. Get a plumber to provide a connection from the water ionizer to an outside water tap. Also note, water softeners are often hooked up with a reverse osmosis machine (see the question about using the water ionizer with an RO machine).

Can I use it with a reverse osmosis machine?

Often no, and it is highly recommended that you don’t. While reverse osmosis can remove a number of contaminants from water, it does so at the expense of a lot of wasted water AND it strips the beneficial minerals out. Often called dead-water, the resulting water has a pH typically between 5.5 and 6.5, making it quite acidic. Acidic water is best avoided because it will leach metals out of your plumbing and into your drinking water. Lacking minerals, reverse osmosis water cannot be used with an electrolyzer because there is not enough minerals to concentrate. This can sometimes be remedied with the use of a filter that adds minerals back to the water. Another consideration is whether the tank on the RO machine holds enough water to run an electrolyzer through its cleaning process. A 3 gallon tank should be minimally sufficient, but 5 gallons is better. The output of the RO machine would also need to be at least ~15psi, but preferably 18psi for the electrolyzer.

Can I use it with a pull-out sprayer on my kitchen sink?

Not with our quick attaching fittings. The machine connects to your water via a diverter valve that fits at the end of your faucet. Standard faucets have one of two typical threaded fittings on the end and both will work with the Water Ionizer Plus. A sprayer faucet, or one of the specialty faucets that do not have the standard fittings will not work. But they can be plumbed to the cold water line underneath the sink.

What is the highest pH (alkaline) / lowest pH (acidic) water produced by the OXY-WATER™ Water Ionizer Plus?

The potential of your tap water to reach a certain pH under electrolysis is completely dependent on the minerals present in your water. Any company telling you differently either does not understand how they work or are deceiving you. Everyone’s water is different. Unless your water is acidic to begin with (below 7.0 pH), the Oxy-Water Water Ionizer Plus will provide a range of about 5.0 to 10.0 pH. We suggest you drink the water at about a 9.0 pH — studies indicate this is optimal. All of our units come with a pH test kit.

Is it available in 220/240 volt?

Yes, the Ionizer Plus is available in 220/240 volt for European installations. It is also TÜV tested and approved for European safety standards and CE marked for sale in Europe.

Can I install it under a counter?

Yes you can have your plumber easily plumb it to the cold water line underneath your sink and bring a hose up to the counter top to connect to the water ionizer inlet port on the machine.

How often do I need to replace the filters?

Particulates and Minerals build up inside the water  ionizer filters, and if they build up enough,  The rate of buildup inside the filters will vary depending on your water. If you tend to see hard water stains, then it is advised you do it fairly often and to use a pre-filter which will remove more contaminates and extend the life of the built in filter in the water ionizer. Typically, most people will need to change the filter every 6000 litres of water, which is about once per year for most households.

How does it compare with using alkaline drops?

Adding drops to your water to make it more alkaline is an expensive and inefficient way to get alkaline water. It is also a bit unnatural. Water created with drops also does not produce water that is more easily absorbed or that will enhance free-radical scavenging of anti-oxidants, as does water from the water Ionizer. We also find that if products are too inconvenient, people will not use them enough to realize any benefit.