FAQ

We recommend that you use a licensed plumber to perform the installation of your Aquios water treatment system. By using a licensed plumber, you will ensure that your system is installed correctly and will operate as it should. We do however provide installation instructions with every unit and, under typical circumstances, a normal installation should be able to be completed within two (2) to three (3) hours by a do-it-yourselfer.

No. The Aquios system must be installed vertically and at least 8 inches off the ground.

Aquios® systems are compact and do not require a lot of space.  For our standard 220 Series, you will want to allow for approximately 16-18" in width and 34" in height.  For our jumbo series, which are our 234 and 236 Series, you will typically want to allow for 18-20" in width and 38" in height.  This should provide enough room to allow for connections to be made to your existing water supply and for the sump to be removed when cartridge need to be changed.

We have a copy of our installation manual available under Customer Resources.  You can also click here to view it.

Absolutely.  Our How-To Video can be found on each of our replacement cartridge product pages and also by clicking on the link: How To Change My Aquios® Cartridge

The Aquios® system is a salt-free system. We charge our carbon block filters with a natural, slow melt polyphosphate. Our scale reduction media (SRM) is a widely-trusted, FDA approved, food-grade material proven time and again to inhibit scale formation. Its ability to combat scale deposits is remarkable as it both lays down a protective layer on the walls of the supply piping and inhibits future calcium deposits.

This polyphosphate reacts with soluble metals (iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium, etc.) by sequestering (bind-up) the metals to maintain their solubility in water. This sequestering process minimizes the risk of discoloration, staining, scaling, taste/odor and other water quality complaints. Because of its ability to provide a protective coating its even suitable for soft water supply pipes - inhibiting corrosion. Unlike salt-based systems, the minerals still exist in your water yet are unable to accumulate and form scale on your pipe, fixtures or appliances. In addition, there is no need to backflush or recharge the system and is an eco-friendly solution.

Because of this process, your water is not demineralized.  This means that the calcium and other hard water minerals are not removed from the water but are unable to form scale.

Specially designed and manufactured to be a form of slowly dissolving polyphosphate in a bead design for use in potable water systems. Aquios SPM™ is engineered to dissolve at a controlled concentration to provide ongoing sequestration of minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and other hardness minerals. Aquios SPM™ will inhibit mineral scale formations and minimize corrosion throughout the water system.

• Aquios SPM™ is a unique form of polyphosphate beads 3mm – 5mm that sequester hardness minerals, prevent precipitation of minerals found in water supplies, as well as preventing internal mineral deposits within the water distribution system. This form of slow dissolving polyphosphate beads makes it especially beneficial in providing ongoing and stable PO4 water treatment
• Aquios SPM™ has a slower reversion rate compared with standard hexametaphosphate (SHMP) which makes it a more stable treatment and longer sequestering use life.
• Reduced corrosion through cathodic “deadening” of the corrosion cell potential thereby inhibiting corrosion throughout the water distribution plumbing
• Gradual removal and inhibition of existing mineral scale deposits and prevention of these formations in hot water lines and residential water heaters
• Aquios SPM™ is manufactured with highly stable dissolving protocol, the formulation of treatment concentration at the project site for injection remains effective over longer periods of time than standard phosphate treatments

Yes. The polyphosphate we use in our cartridges is natural, food based and FDA approved. This same polyphosphate has been used in the commercial food service industry for several decades and is completely safe for drinking water, pets, plants and all types of landscaping.

The Aquios system is specifically designed to inhibit scale from developing while eliminating existing scale from faucets, pipes and water heaters. You should begin to see a noticeable improvement and reduction in scale build-up within weeks of installing the system.

Scale build-up in water heaters not only significantly reduces operating efficiency and increases your energy cost, it also causes significant damage and is a leading cause of product failure. The Aquios® system inhibits the formation of hard water scale and doesn’t allow it to form inside your water heater or on heating coils. It is highly recommended for tankless heaters. By eliminating scale build-up in your water heater, you will improve its operating efficiency up to 30% and prolong its life expectancy while reducing your energy cost.

Yes. The Aquios® system utilizes carbon block technology to filter out up to chlorine odor and taste as well as sediment and other contaminants (such as dirt and rust). Depending on which Aquios system you select, your water will be filtered at either a 5 micron or 1 micron level and will also be able to remove items such as VOCs, chloramines and cysts.

Carbon block technology is a method of filtering that uses a piece of powdered block carbon to remove contaminants and impurities, utilizing chemical adsorption. Each piece of carbon is designed to provide a large section of surface area, in order to allow contaminants the most possible exposure to the filter media. This carbon is generally activated with a positive charge and is designed to attract negatively charged water contaminants. Carbon block filters are more effective at removing a larger number of contaminants, based upon the increased surface area of carbon versus granular activated filters. Carbon filters are most effective at removing chlorine, sediment, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. They are not effective at removing minerals, salts, and dissolved inorganic compounds.

VOC means Volatile Organic Compound. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include (1) chlorinated solvents and (2) fuel components. The most common VOCs that are found in drinking water are chlorinated solvents and fuel components. Chlorinated solvents are widely used in industry and in common household products. Some examples of these are spot removers, typing correction fluids, adhesives, automotive cleaners, inks, and wood furniture cleaners. Fuel components are chemicals that are found in products such as gasoline, kerosene, and heating oil.

Great question! Salt water systems are very effective in removing the minerals in water that cause hard water.

They use a process known as ionic exchange where salt is used to remove calcium and magnesium from the water. They also require significant ongoing maintenance, heavy bags of salt, electricity and are bad for the environment because of the salt water being flushed when the system is regenerated.

The Aquios® salt free water softener and water filter system utilizes no salt, requires no maintenance, requires no electricity, provides 5 micron water filtration in addition to water conditioning, costs significantly less than most salt-based systems and doesn’t waste any water due to backflushing. You also won’t have the “slippery” or “slimy” feel that is the case with a salt water softener.

Aquios® replacement cartridges are rated to last three to six months. This may vary however based on your existing water quality, water source and actual water usage. In order to ensure optimum performance of your Aquios® system, it is recommended that you change the standard filter cartridge at least every six months.

All Aquios® salt free water softeners provides an industry leading 20 year warranty on the filter housing and valve. The warranty does not include filter cartridges. If your system is damaged or becomes inoperable as a result of a manufacturer defect, then we will gladly replace the unit or defective part at no cost. The cost for installation or any damage resulting from a defective unit is not included in our warranty terms and the warranty is void if the unit is damaged as a result of incorrect or poor installation. For a copy of our warranty, please contact customer care at 888.475.0343.

Absolutely. Aquios® offers a 60-Day “No Questions Asked” guarantee on our salt free water softener systems. Try the Aquios system for 60 days at no risk. If after 60 days you aren’t convinced, we’ll issue a full refund of the original purchase price, less shipping and handling. Installation charges are not included with this guarantee. Our money back guarantee does not include cartridges.

The Aquios® salt free water softener and filter system begins to work immediately. Your will notice an improvement in your water quality and taste within 24-48 hours and an improvement in your water condition within several days. Depending on the hardness and quality of your water, it may take longer for the Aquios system to deliver significant results.

The Aquios® salt free water softener provides a number of benefits over other systems: - Filters and conditions your water (removes chlorine, dirt, rust, and other particulate while also preventing calcium scale and iron stain) - Removes lead*, chloramines, cysts and other particulate so you don't need an additional filtration system. - Proven to remove existing scale over time. - Prevents corrosion of pipes - FDA approved - Environmentally safe - Compact, space saving design - 20 year warranty - Low maintenance, cartridge change every 3-6 months * lead removal is based on a specific Aquios® cartridge and is not available on all systems.

The Aquios® salt free water softener does not demineralize your water. That means that the hard water minerals (such as calcium and iron) currently in your water are not removed but are unable to bind together, attach to your pipes, fixtures, faucets, and appliances and create limescale. Traditional water softeners remove these essential minerals and replace them with salt. The result, if you perform a water test before installing the Aquios system and after installing the system, the water hardness typically will not change. What you will see however, is the elimination of both calcium and iron scale without the use of salt while also have clean filtered water.

The formation of scale on surfaces in residential and commercial water systems is due to the crystallization of carbonates or sulfates of magnesium or calcium from solution. Very low levels of polyphosphates interfere with crystal growth. This type of scale inhibition is referred to as a threshold property because it occurs at a level much lower than would be required for a stoichiometric reaction. Threshold inhibition by polyphosphates of calcium and magnesium carbonate formation is particularly effective at a pH range of 8 to 10 where carbonate scale in water is a major problem. Calcium sulfate scale is often a problem at lower pH ranges. The same mechanism of scale inhibition that can occur with calcium carbonate at a high pH range can also occur with calcium sulfate at a lower pH range at similar low levels of phosphate addition. Experience has shown that polyphosphates not only inhibit scale formation, but can also help remove existing hard deposited carbonate or sulfate scale. Pipes carrying water treated with polyphosphate for extended periods of time (several months) first show a gradual softening of the scale followed by disintegration and removal. The soft scale particles are deflocculated by the polyphosphate and carried away resulting in a clean piping system.

Water spots are a result of dissolved solids and minerals left behind after water evaporates from a surface such as shower doors, faucets and sinks. When these deposits are not cleaned for a period of time, they combine with soap residue and other dirt to form water spot deposits. Since the water has already evaporated, the scale that forms is not a result of the water. Even adding a traditional salt based water softener will not prevent this since salt based water softeners leave sodium or potassium in the water, which will also leave water spots. The Aquios® salt free water softener and water filter system will not entirely prevent water spotting. It will however, reduce the amount of cleaning required to remove them. It also will eliminate and prevent the hard water scale in your pipes and appliances (such as water heaters and washing machines), protecting them from the harmful effects of hard water.

No. The Aquios system MUST be connected to the cold water line.

The Aquios® system is a full house system.  Which system is most suited for you will be based on (a) the size of your home, (b) number of full bathrooms and (c) number of family members or guests in your home.  Our standard 220 Series is perfect for home up to 2500 square feet and with 2-3 bathrooms.  For home larger than 2500 square feet, out Jumbo Series would be the best choice.

Catalytic Activated Coconut Carbon is specifically manufactured from high grades of coconut shells. It is designed for the reduction of Chloramines, Hydrogen Sulfides, Hydrogen Peroxides, THMs, TCE, PCE, detergents, pesticides, Phenols, taste and odor.