featuring Doulton^® ceramic technology
Filters approximately 600 gallons

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does a ceramic filter element need cleaning?

2. How do I clean a candle?

3. The filter candle blocks up too regularly, what can I do about it?

4. When does a ceramic filter element need replacing?

5. Do I need to sterilize the candle after cleaning?

6. How do I keep the filter housing clean?

7. What happens if I leave the filter unused for a period of time?

8. Can I remove the filter to store the pump over an extended amount of time?

9. Will the filter element remove hardness?

10. Will the filter element remove Aluminum?

11. Will the filter element remove Arsenic?

12. Will the filter element remove all types of bacteria?

13. Will the filter element remove Chloramine?

14. Will the filter element remove diesel or petroleum?

15. Will the filter element remove Fluoride?

16. Will the filter element remove Iron?

17. Will the filter element remove Legionella?

18. Will the filter element remove Manganese?

19. Will the filter element remove Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?

20. Why does the pH of my drinking water increase when I use my ceramic filter?

21. Is there a level of bacterial contamination that exceeds what the filter can remove?

---

1. When does a ceramic filter element need cleaning?
Once the flow out of the filter becomes noticeably less than normal and/or the force to operate the pump becomes increasingly difficult.

2.How do I clean a candle?
Use a scouring pad to scrub the filter. Full detailed instructions with photos on how to clean your ceramic candle can be found on the pump and filter care page. To ensure that the end of the plastic mount does not come in contact with unfiltered water and dirty hands (cross contamination) do not remove the filter from the filter head. Rubber gloves are recommended during cleaning. If gloves are not available wash your hands after cleaning the filter. NEVER use soap or detergents when cleaning the filter!

3.The filter candle blocks up too regularly, what can I do about it?
In some water conditions, there is an abundance of particulates or turbidity in the supply water. The filter must be scrubbed every two to ten gallons to return a high flow volume and easy pumping force. Try to find the cleanest, clearest water source, preferably a sand or gravel bottom. The muddier the water source the more the filter will clog.

4. When does a ceramic filter element need replacing?
The ceramic filter will clean about 600 gallons of water. It is recommended to replace the filter every year if used often. If cleaning the filter does not increase the flow volume or reduce pumping force it is necessary to replace the filter. The outer ceramic shell of the filter removes pathogens. If you think that the ceramics are damaged or cracked replace the filter - not doing so could lead to serious illness.

5. Do I need to sterilize the candle after cleaning?
The filter candle contains trace amounts of silver within the ceramics. The silver prevents microbiological growth. The element should NOT be sterilized after cleaning; boiling could damage the internal components of the element. Some harmless bacteria may get past the ceramics. If water is left in the filter housing this bacteria may multiply in the activated carbon causing the filtered water to have a stale taste. Please read question # 7 below for more information about stale tasting water.

back to top

6.How do I keep the filter housing clean?
The filter housing is best cleaned by unscrewing the body from the head and rinsing with water. You can also wipe the surface and the inside of the housing with a soft dampened cloth. Do not lose the o-ring that is seated between the housing cover and filter head. Losing this o-ring will result in unsatisfactory performance of the pump. Please see the pump and filter care page to learn more about this o-ring. An attempt to clean any parts after the filter (filter head, hose, fittings, or cap) could cause cross contamination. If any components after the filter get contaminated you must disinfect the contaminated parts. Disinfection directions are covered on the pump and filter care page.

7.What happens if I leave the filter unused for a period of time?
If water is left in the filter or filter housing for an extended amount of time harmless heterotrophic bacteria may multiply in the activated carbon causing the filtered water to have a stale taste. If the filtered water has a stale taste it is recommended to flush the filter with some water to push this harmless bacteria out of the carbon. Flushing the filter is easy, just pump about one to two gallons of water through the filter. Stale water should not make you sick because the bacterium is harmless. However, it is best to flush the filter before use if water has been left in the filter or housing for any period over two days. The best way to avoid stale water is to drain the intake hose, pump, filter housing, and hose if you do not intend to use the pump for more than two days. Detailed draining directions are listed on the pump and filter care page.

8. Can I remove the filter to store the pump over an extended amount of time?
No, removing the filter for any reason dangerously increases the chance of cross contamination. Only remove the filter if you plan to immediately replace it with a new filter. The pump and filter may be drained and dried for extended storage. Draining and drying is outlined in the pump and filter care page or in the usage direction book included with your new pump. Never remove the filter unless you plan to immediately replace it with a new filter!

9.Will the filter element remove hardness?
Unfortunately filtration does not remove hardness from water.

10. Will the filter element remove Aluminum?
The ceramic water filter is only suitable for the removal of aluminum in particulate form; it is not proven to be suitable for treating dissolved aluminum.

back to top

11. Will the filter element remove Arsenic?
No, Arsenic is likely to be in a dissolved state. To remove arsenic water must pass through activated alumina.

12. Will the filter element remove all types of bacteria?
No, there are so many different species of bacteria of different shape, size and growth characteristics, which preclude the ceramic filter from being effective against all of them. The pathogenic bacteria that Fairey Industrial Ceramics Limited (FICL), the filter manufacturer, claim to be effective against have been qualified by test data from independent test laboratories or are extrapolated from test data, of similar microorganisms.

13. Will the filter element remove Chloramine?
The activated carbon contained within the Ultracarb filter elements may reduce levels of chloramine. However, because there is insufficient contact time with the carbon not all of the chloramine will be removed.

14. Will the filter element remove diesel or petroleum?
The ceramic part of the filter element will not take out any of these organic materials. The activated carbon in the filter will have some effect, however, removal of these types of materials requires much greater quantities of activated carbon and much longer contact time than the filter can provide.

15. Will the filter element remove Fluoride?
No, Fluoride salts are soluble in water. Activated alumina is the best method to remove Fluoride.

back to top

16. Will the filter element remove Iron?
The ceramic water filter is only suitable for the removal of iron in particulate form; it is not proven as a suitable treatment for dissolved iron.

17. Will the filter element remove Legionella?
Since Legionella has a similar morphology to E-coli the ceramic filter element should provide similar protection against Legionella.

18. Will the filter element remove Manganese?
No, to remove Manganese oxidation treatment and more intensified filtration is needed.

19. Will the filter element remove Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is similar in size to E-coli. The filter element should therefore, in theory, show similar reduction efficiency for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa as it does for E-coli. The filter has not been physically tested with this type of organism; it is impossible to predict a performance claim.

20. Why does the pH of my drinking water increase when I use my ceramic filter?
The slight increase in the pH of water passed through the ceramic filters is due to the presence of the mineral Wollastonite in the ceramic filter. Wollastonite is slightly soluble and alkaline, so it may partly dissolve in the water as water passes through the filter causing a minor pH shift, which is harmless.

21. Is there a level of bacterial contamination that exceeds what the filter can remove?
Higher levels of bacteria in a water source make the filter more susceptible to allowing pathogens to get past the filter. It is recommended to use the pump in the cleanest place available in your water source. Use good judgment; if there is a cleaner portion of the water source go there to get your water.

back to top

Please contact us if you have a question that is not on this list.

We will answer your question and post it on this FAQ page.