If there is very little water coming out the tube that drains into the sink (the acid tube), the unit may need cleaning because of mineral build-up on the electrodes. This usually does not become a problem for until at least 12-24 months of use. The safest way to clean the unit so as not to damage the electrodes is to recirculate WHITE VINEGAR through the unit using a small fish tank pump or small water-garden pump ($15 — $40).
- Unplug the Water Ionizer from the electrical outlet. Remove as much water from the Water Ionizer by blowing through the silver tube, inlet tube and acid tube. Also remove the filter and shake as much water from it as you can then replace it. The filter must be securely placed in the Water Ionizer for cleaning the ionizer in this method.
- Prepare a container of WHITE VINEGAR for the pump. Attach the INLET hose from the Water Ionizer to the pump. Depending on the pump you purchase, this may require some minor modifications so that the hose will fit into the pump properly. Submerge the pump into the white vinegar.
- Plug the small fish tank pump or small water-garden pump in to the electrical outlet. (A GFI safety plug should be used for this in order to protect against electrocution).
- Place both the silver tube and acid water tube from the Water Ionizer into the white vinegar container so the entire system is recirculating.
- At first, there may be very little flow through the silver tube. However, as long as the slightest amount of vinegar is flowing through the silver tube, the vinegar will eventually dissolve the calcium that is blocking the water from flowing out the tube.
- Clean the Water Ionizer for 2-12 hours depending on how much calcium and other minerals have been deposited on the electrodes.
- Reattach the Water Ionizer to your water source and flush the unit with water for 10-20 minutes to clean out the vinegar from the unit.
- Begin using the Water Ionizer again.
Calcium buildup on the electrodes causes the pH of the ionized water to drop because the source water is not coming in contact with the electrodes. Once your Water Ionizer is cleaned using this method, the pH of the ionized water will be higher because the water is now coming in direct contact with the cleaned electrodes.
Tip: You can also remove the silver tube from the unit and submerge it completely in the WHITE VINEGAR overnight to remove much of the calcium build up.
The reason for the calcium build up on the alkaline side of the Water Ionizer is because the high pH of the water causes the minerals in the water to precipitate out of the water and become displaced on.
The Water Ionizer must be unplugged from its power source while cleaning the unit in this manner.
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About Bob McCauley
Bob McCauley, ND (Robert F., Jr.) was raised in Lansing, Michigan and attended Michigan State University (BA, 1980 in Journalism). He is a naturopathic doctor, Master Herbalist and a Certified Nutritional Consultant. He has traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad, visiting over 32 countries. He published Confessions of a Body Builder: Rejuvenating the Body with Spirulina, Chlorella, Raw Foods and Ionized Water (2000), Achieving Great Health (2005), The Miraculous Properties of Ionized Water, (2006) which is the only book on the market that exclusively addresses Ionized Water, Twelve (Fiction, 2007) and Honoring the Temple of God (2008). He considers himself a Naturalist, meaning he pursues health in the most natural way possible. He studies and promotes nature as the only way to true health.
From 2002-2004 he hosted the radio program Achieving Great Health, which was heard by thousands of people each day. His guests included some of the most well-known and respected names in the natural health world.
With the help of his father, Dr. Robert F. McCauley, Sr. (Doctorate in Environmental Engineering, MIT, 1953) they started Spartan Water Company in 1992, which sold vended water machines in supermarkets. Robert Jr. founded Spartan Enterprises, Inc. in 1993. He is a Certified Water Technician with the State of Michigan. He is also a Type II Public Water Supply Specialist and has the certifications of S-5 and D-5. The McCauley family has a long history in the water industry. Bob's father pioneered environmental issues regarding ground water and drinking water quality. He received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1953 for his thesis on removing radioactive strontium from water. He earned his doctorate in Environmental Engineering in less than 2 years, one of the shortest doctoral studies in the history of MIT. He taught civil, sanitary and environmental engineering at Michigan State University for 18 years before retiring to run Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors of Mason, Michigan, for 17 years. His reputation throughout Michigan as a water quality expert was legendary. Bob worked for his father's company for 12 years learning the water business, which dealt primarily with municipalities, including water quality and sanitary sewer issues.
After apprenticing with his father, Bob moved on to the bottled water business. He established greater Michigan's biggest selling bottled water: Michigan Mineral – Premium Natural Water. He was introduced to Ionized Water in 1995 and has done more to promote Ionized Water than anyone else in the industry. Bob often lectures and offers seminars on his Seven Component Natural Health Protocol .
Bob is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and a Certified Master Herbalist. He is also a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor of Songahm Taekwondo (American Taekwondo Association).
Hi, have been trying to clean my water ionizer this way,but i cant seem to get any water to come out of the silver spout, could it be i need too buy a more powerful pump?
I am not having a problem with the silver spout it is the entire unit that has stopped working-the alkaline-acid and purified water!