Descaling on-table & under-table water ionizer | Alkaline hydrogen water is rich in alkaline minerals (Ca, Mg, Na, Ka, ..) - so limescale is an issue, just like in the kettle!
Is calcium in water good or bad for the organism?
Every water ionizer must be descaled regularly. How often depends on the following factors:
- Water hardness, i.e. the lime content of your tap water: – the harder your water, the faster the device can calcify
- Water flow: – the slower the faster the device becomes calcified
- Which ionization level is used: – At the highest level, the device calcifies faster than at the weaker ionization levels.
- The limescale protection mechanism that is used. Very few water ionizers are well protected against calcification of the electrode plates. The water ionizers that are well protected against limescale include the AquaVolta® Moses 7, Alle EOS and Alkamedi (or in Germany Aquion) water ionizer brands
More information is available in the following FAQ posts with videos. Information about filter changes can be found on this website
Find all water ionizer instructions here: www.aquacentrum.de/wasserioniser-operating instructions/
Descaling | Water ionizer maintenance
Descaling | Water ionizer maintenance
My water ionizer delivers the desired pH and redox values, but hardly any dissolved molecular hydrogen
Hello Mr. Asenbaum,
Unfortunately I have with the freshly bought ones H2 Blue Kit drops cannot determine hydrogen content.
Why is that?
The Titanion SE Ultra was freshly decalcified and was bottled at pH 9 and 1,4 liters.
The redox value was over -500mV or even -600mV, I have many measuring devices because I use alkaline water for testing purposes in my company, and all 3 showed the same thing. Ph value was closer to 9,5 in all measurements.
I look forward to your feedback
All the best
Roland D.
Titanion SE water ionizerAnswer from Karl Heinz Asenbaum | Freshly decalcified, the water ionizer delivers high hydrogen concentrations
Hello Mr. D.,
yes, these results are correct. At least that's what I can say about the pot devices. The Titanion SE Ultra would have to deliver a lot more, unless it is calcified. Unfortunately I don't have one anymore and can't tell you exactly what it does, but when used correctly it's certainly at least 1,2 ppm dH2.
To explain, I assume you can speak English, here is Tyler Le Baron's very good explanation of this phenomenon of a divergence between redox value and hydrogen value, which he sent to me by email. Please do not publish.
I wrote to him first. :I used an Aquator batch ionizer from Lithunia because a potential client wanted to know how much dH2 can be produced with this device that goes back to the Soviet Research Team of Prof. Alyokhin and is optimized to produce extremely low ORP. In the production process temperature was elevated from 16 to 22 C degrees. (The device works with 110 V DC. Prefiltered Tap water Munich was used)
* The result was indeed a very low ORP – 761 mV (CSE) at a pH of 9.8.
* dH2 with H2 blue was 0,2 ppm
He replied: It only takes maybe 0.05 ppm to get a very negative ORP…Especially if the water is alkaline. In fact, with water ionizers I have seen that you can have a 0.05 ppm, pH 10 and ORP is -780 mV, but then after cleaning the machine (which helps the H2 to dissolve better), the pH still went to 10, the ORP -780 mV, but the dH2 at 1.2 ppm.
In normal water you only have around 0.0000001 ppm, so if you increase the H2 concentration by 1 MILLION times, then you will get 0.1 ppm and your ORP will go from +200 mV to -500 mV (for example), now, if you increase the H2 concentration ONLY ten times to 1.0 ppm, you are going to have nearly the same ORP. A change of only ten, is a lot smaller than a million. Plus the ORP value is also logarithmic, so very small changes in actual concentrations and ratios result in very large changes in the value.
So this is why a negative ORP cannot be used to estimate the concentration of hydrogen. If you have a high negative ORP you have no idea what concentration of H2 there is, it could be low or high. However, you will NEVER have a high concentration of H2, with a small or positive ORP reading (as long as it is pure water and not dH2 water with other oxidizing chemicals that can make the value positive).
I hope this helps enlighten you. The newer ionizers with improved electrode surfaces such as our Aquavolta Moses or Aquavolta ECA Tractor produce significantly more hydrogen than the old flat or mesh electrodes. Up to 2,9 ppm is possible. Always provided that the device is not calcified.
With kind regards,
Karl Heinz Asenbaum
www.quantomed.com
Communication with Yasin Akgün about descaling water ionizers
Hello Mr Akgün,
The Titanion operating instructions state that you should leave strongly acidic water in the device to descale the device.
Alternatively, if there is a lot of limescale, you can fill the device with vinegar water.
Since the PH value and redox were always OK, I previously thought that this was enough.
Mr. Asenbaum has now advised me that Descaling with citric acid, in circulation with a separate pump.
I'll try it that way, but I still have to get a suitable pump.
With kind regards,
Roland D.
Need for descaling a water ionizer
Edna R.: My water ionizer has a fully automatic descaling system. Why do I have to descale it manually now?
- You have to change a baby, you have to walk a dog, you have to descale a coffee machine and a water ionizer. That's part of the system. Unfortunately, manufacturers use the term “automatic self-decalcification” very liberally. That's why I'll give you some background information: Limescale deposits in water ionizers always form on the negative pole, i.e. the cathode, which releases negatively charged electrons into the water. Positively charged calcium ions are attracted to it and then stick to the metal in increasingly thick layers. This reduces the surface area of the cathodes, so that the overall performance of the —> Electrolysis cell decreases.
- In addition, the cathode side of a diaphragm can become calcified. These deposits must be removed using decalcification systems. There are various systems on the market for this.
- Method 1: Preliminary descaling: At the start of the tap, the current is reversed for about 30 seconds. This causes the cathode to become an anode, which repels calcium due to its positive charge. During the polarity reversal, the device gives warnings that the water from the alkaline water outlet is now not drinkable. It only works perfectly in the long run if tapping water only takes 30 seconds after switching the power back. As a rule, however, the tapping takes longer, so that the cathode eventually builds up a layer of lime. Disadvantage: The user has to wait 30 seconds until he gets alkaline active water. Advantage: Warmed stagnant water from the pipe and pre-filter flows away. The average consumer would wait until the water comes out of the tap cold anyway.
- Method 2: Subsequent decalcification: After the end of the spigot, the device holds water in the electrolytic cell for a few seconds and reverses the polarity of the current as in method 1. The drain is then released via a drainage pipe to drain the acidic water. Advantage: No waiting time. Disadvantage: Only a few seconds of power reversal and lukewarm stagnant water from the pre-filter and pipe at the start of the tap. It takes time for the water to cool down, during which a layer of limescale can build up. Conclusion: Worse than method 1. But very effective when methods 1 and 2 are combined, i.e. the current is reversed before and after the tap.
- Method 3: Cyclic descaling: The current is reversed after a certain flow rate or a certain time (usually every 12 hours) for a 30-second cleaning cycle with alarm signals. Advantage: Technically simpler than method 2 and therefore cheaper. Disadvantage: Especially if smaller quantities are tapped several times a day, no descaling takes place for 12 hours, even though a large amount was produced overall. Therefore, high susceptibility to limescale and frequent manual descaling is necessary. Annoying: Even if no activated water has been produced for 12 hours, a descaling cycle with power reversal is carried out.
- Method 4: Flow Change – pole change and flow reversal: After each tap stop, the cell chamber previously used as a cathode chamber becomes the anode chamber by changing the current polarity and directing the flow to the other outlet.
This results in permanent self-decalcification. - Advantages: With smooth electrode construction (—> Electrolysis cell), this method reliably protects against calcification of the cell.
This method was patented by the Korean company Alkamedi (European brand name Aquion®). - Disadvantages: As a rule, only alkaline activated water and never acidic water flows through the upper spout. Since alkaline active water begins to relax immediately after production (—> Relaxation time), minerals are constantly deposited from the moment it leaves the cell until the outflow, which can gradually narrow the outflow.
Therefore, manual descaling is also necessary if the flow rate decreases. Just not that often.
- Method 5: Manual descaling. If the output pH value achieved has noticeably reduced with the same water flow rate or if the flow rate of the alkaline activated water has decreased compared to the sour water -
A maximum of the same amount of acidic activated water should flow out, never more than alkaline water). You have to descale manually.
Most manufacturers specify fixed intervals for certain water hardness.
Premium devices even provide automatic notifications that manual descaling is due.
Please pay attention to these instructions and do not forget to disconnect the device from the power supply.
- Please carry out manual descaling using the descaling pump supplied or available as an accessory according to the instructions.
The pump should run for at least one hour (up to 12 hours) with the descaling agent.
This must not be warmer than 35 degrees C. - If there is severe calcification - for example, if citrates (lime salts of the descaling agent citric acid) precipitate as white crystals or the descaling agent turns yellow, you should replace the descaling solution.
Please do not forget to rinse the pump thoroughly with clear water after the descaling process, otherwise it will be blocked by incrustations next time.
- A encrusted pump that won't start will usually run again if you soak it in clear water for an hour. After manual descaling, set your water ionizer to the “Purified” setting and let about 10 liters of water run through it for rinsing. This is not drinking water and may still contain residues of the descaling agent.
Excerpt from the book by Karl Heinz Asenbaum "Electro-activated water – An invention with extraordinary potential. Water ionizers from A – Z”
Copyright 2016 www.euromultimedia.de
Hello Mr Akgün,
I have a question – I need to descale my AquaVolta Eos Genesis next month. When descaling, does the ionizer have to be switched on or unplugged so that only the pump has power?
Otherwise I'm super happy with the device.
Kind regards, Klaus E.
Reply Yasin Akgün on May 19, 2016:
Hello Mr. E.,
Thank you for your question, which I am happy to answer. Theoretically, you can leave the power plug on and leave the device in standby mode. For safety reasons we have to advise against this in the instructions. But in practice it is even necessary because at the beginning of the descaling you first run water through the ionizer in order to remove the air bubbles from the pipes/outlets, as these tend to interfere with descaling and the pump can then have difficulties. to circulate the citric acid solution through the system.
It can also happen during descaling that the circuit is interrupted and you have to turn on the water ionizer for a short time to get water through. When descaling, carbon dioxide bubbles are created, which can also disrupt the pump.
Please note: Always operate the ionizer in filtered mode during the descaling process. You don't have to turn on the electrolysis with the citric acid.
Further information and videos can be found on this page: http://www.aquacentrum.de/ionisiererwartung/
Hope this helps you
Kind regards from Munich, Yasin Akgün
How often do I have to disinfect my water ionier?
Disinfection is usually not necessary. Descaling with a warm citric acid solution also represents disinfection in itself.
For some applications, for example in commercial areas or in doctor's offices, it is definitely advisable to disinfect the spout by spraying and wiping with 10% hydrogen peroxide solution. This eliminates any germs that can be transmitted by touching the spout with bare hands. For particularly effective cleaning/disinfection, we recommend completely rinsing the device with 3,5% hydrogen peroxide solution. You can get these at the pharmacy.
You can read how it's done in > this Disinfection instructions.
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Descaling with submersible pump Alkabest (ECAIA) water ionizer
The Alkabest (formerly Sanuslife) water ionizer, made by the manufacturer Biontech in Korea, is a special case because it is not as easy to descale as other water ionizers.
Normally, water ionizers are descaled directly via the wastewater hose or the outlet hose. However, this is different with the Biontech water ionizers (including ECAIA / Alkabest). Here you have to remove the second filter and introduce the citric acid with an extra thick rubber hose and close the circuit via the outlet.
The most sensible thing to do is to simply follow the video on how to descale the ECAIA / Alkabest water ionizer.
Link to the post
Descaling instructions for the two Kangen water ionizers | Kangen Enagic SD 501 & Kangen Enagic K 8
This video explains the descaling methods recommended by Kangen. In our opinion, too ineffective and also time-consuming. Especially with the Kangen K8: The citric acid for descaling, called cleaning powder, is a sticky matter. Pump impellers can become calcified and cause even more problems.
Complex decalcification Kangen Enagic SD501 with citric acid and decalcification filter
The best way to descale your Kangen water ionizer is the old-fashioned way, using one descaling pump and citric acid. It's called Deep Cleaning in Kangen language and is only carried out for a service fee when you send your device in to Kangen. You can find more videos about lime on this page: www.aquacentrum.de/ioniservertrag/
Descaling a water ionizer with a flow dial
Kangen K8 Cleaning – step by step | Descaling K8 in English
After the last descaling at the beginning of October Lydia With the reducing screw fully turned on only 1,7-1,8 l/min.
Before it was over 2 liters and I always had to reduce it a little with the screw.
I'm surprised and would perhaps have the descaling run through again. I don't have any other idea because the water pressure at the taps hasn't noticeably decreased...
If you see another option, please let me know as soon as possible...
Hello Mr. Tretow,
Thanks for your question.
If you've only recently descaled, I don't think that's the problem. You can't actually tell from the flow whether the device is calcified. But rather the ratio of the alkaline hydrogen water from the outlet compared to the acidic water (wastewater) from the wastewater hose. If the wastewater volume flow has increased and the volume flow at the top of the ionizer outlet has decreased, then the time has come.
The EOS devices produce approximately 33% wastewater and 66% alkaline hydrogen water. If this ratio is approximately 50% to 50%, then you can descale the device. How to do this is described here: www.aquacentrum.de/ioniservertrag/.
I think the flow has changed from the tee. It can happen. However, in your case you don't need to turn it up any higher, as with the EOS devices 1,6 liters/minute (alkaline water from the upper spout) is already a high flow rate. Your water is probably very soft then. Have you ever measured the values? These may decrease slightly over time if the device is no longer brand new.
I look forward to further questions
All the best from Munich, Yasin Akgün
Andrea G.: I sent my alkaline activated water to a laboratory to see if there were still any harmful substances in it. The values were good, but I was surprised that the water hardness was 5 German degrees of hardness lower than that of our tap water! So does the filter remove the hard salts calcium and magnesium - or does this happen during electrolysis?
- No. Alkaline activated water is initially always significantly harder than the tap water from which it was obtained. However, your laboratory did not make any mistakes, because it certainly did not test alkaline activated water at all, because it... —> Relaxation time had already expired at the time of the analysis and the hardness-forming minerals were no longer in the water. In addition, the gas composition in the water and the lime-carbon dioxide balance have changed. You can easily test the greater hardness and therefore the higher mineral content yourself immediately after production if you hold a hardness test strip (available in aquarium stores) in the water.
- When the hard salts have precipitated after a few days, the relaxed activated water is actually softer than the tap water before. Why this is so would go too far here. However, you can track the drop in hardness with two hardness test strips. (aquarium supplies). Tea drinkers who prefer soft water can use the relaxed active water to make streak-free black tea.
- If possible, you should drink fresh activated water cold and untreated. It then still contains an excess of minerals. The hardness producers calcium (or calcium) and magnesium are among the minerals that are vital for humans. The natural calcium and magnesium compounds also contribute to the good taste of the water. Coffee connoisseurs consider calcium-rich water to be a better flavor carrier. However, hard water can prove to be a hindrance for technical purposes such as washing. As a rule, it only makes sense to soften the hot water. so not drinking water. In Austria, for example, such hot water softening according to ÖNORM M 6245 is only recommended above 18° dH carbonate hardness. However, even after chemical softening (Codex chapter B1 drinking water), it should still have a minimum hardness of 8,4° dH (corresponds to 60 mg/l calcium).
- If you also want to soften your cold tap water, you may no longer be satisfied with the taste of your alkaline activated water. The usual water softeners use ion exchange to remove calcium from the water in favor of sodium. The result is a light baking soda taste, especially in higher pH ranges. Incidentally, sodium is often an element that we consume more than enough through modern food, while calcium is practically always needed as a bulk element that we have in the range of 1 to 2 kg in our bodies.
Excerpt from the book by Karl Heinz Asenbaum: “Electro-activated water – An invention with extraordinary potential. Water ionizers from A – Z”
Copyright 2016 www.euromultimedia.de
Softening by ion exchange – it is better not or the hardness should be set to low (°dH8 to °dH10).
By softening The pH value of the water can be reduced to one to 2 pH values. And the water is also “artificialized” with sodium (Na2+), exchanged for calcium (Ca2+).
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Lecture section | Ion exchanger or softening
Ion exchangers that are regenerated with salt (NaCl) are able to exchange calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium ions (Mg2+) for sodium ions (Na2+). This principle is e.g. B. used in dishwashers to protect the heating elements and avoid “limescale stains” on the dishes.
Water softening systems for non-professional use to soften drinking water use this principle. Occasionally it is also used to prepare small amounts of water, for example for watering flowers or making tea. Every Brita water filter, but also our Aquaphor jug filters, softens the water. We have at the Aquaphor® jug filters the lowest possible softening cartridge Aquaphor® B100-7 filter cartridge selected.
If you already use a softener for your entire house or apartment, I recommend that you set it to a hardness of °dH8 to °dH10. Fortunately, this is adjustable in most softening systems. The best thing to do is to ask your plumber or plumbing specialist.
A similar but good question came here on December 14th. 2016:
If you have a decalcification system in your house that uses salt to decalcify the water, and the filter doesn't filter out the salt, does this have an impact on the water when it goes to electrolysis? Does this then result in a very basic lye and very acidic water, i.e. anolyte and catholyte? And the salt tablets are certainly not the healthiest salt. Can I prevent this somehow?
Answer by Yasin Akgün about softening before the water ionizer
Don't worry about the descaling/ion exchanger. If possible, set the hardness to °dH8-10.
If the flow is low, the highly alkaline water will otherwise taste moody. But if nothing is an issue, there is too little salt.
In the ECA systems, pay concentrations between 4,5 and 7% are used, i.e. much more.
More about that in this video:
www.aquacentrum.de/faqs/macht-es-sinn-bei-hartem-kalkhaltenm-wasser-das-wasser-vorher-zu-enthaerten/
On February 1, 2007, the hardness ranges were adapted to European standards and the millimoles total hardness per liter was replaced by the (from a chemical point of view, nonsensical) millimoles of calcium carbonate per liter.
Water supply companies will probably continue to publish the total hardness, but this is not required by law.
The new hardness ranges hardly differ from the previous ones, only ranges 3 and 4 are combined to form the hardness range “hard” and the numbers 1,2,3 and 4 are replaced by the already common descriptions “soft”, “medium” and “hard”. replaced. The new hardness ranges are defined as follows:
Table | Water hardness and conversions:
hardness range
soft (1)
Medium (2)
Hard (3 and 4)
Millimoles of calcium carbonate per L
less than 1,5
1,5 – 2,5
More than 2,5
hardness range
Less than 8,4°dH
8,4 to 14 °dH
More than 14 °dH
Descaling under-sink water ionizer | The citric acid solution does not come up from the 2nd outlet
Question | Descaling of the AquaVolta® Eos Revelation II water ionizer | The citric acid solution does not flow
Hello Mr Akgün,
the device actually works perfectly. I almost forgot that I have to descale it too. So I finally wanted to do that today. But I kind of have a problem.
The water doesn't come up. It's maybe halfway there. Since the hose has to make a lot of bends, I thought maybe I would shorten the hose a little. But that didn't help either. Do you have an idea for me?
According to the description, I don't have to turn off the device to do this?
But I still don't do anything with the device. Only the pump works.
Best regards, Martin F.
Solution | The air in the water hose must come out first 3-5 seconds operation in filtered water mode
Dear Mr F.
Thank you for your important question, which I had to put on the website as an FAQ post because that is the only thing that is sometimes ignored when descaling:
Since there are still air pockets in the hose or in the ionizer after attaching the hose of the descaling pump, it is advisable to briefly turn on the water ionizer, ideally in filtered water mode, for about 3-5 seconds, water and air through the pipes to flow through in order to then carry out the descaling process.
The pump can already be plugged in and running. It doesn't matter if water is pumped through the ionizer to the connected citric acid pump in the container with the citric acid. It's only for a few seconds.
If it doesn't work, you can call me and we'll go through it both times: 089416117997
All the best from Munich, Yasin Akgün
Descaling under-sink ionizer | EOS Revelation
An under-sink water ionizer presents a particular difficulty because almost all under-sink water ionizers (Tyent UCE 9000, Ionquell Delphi, ...) have serious difficulties with hard water.
Almost all of them, because of that AquaVolta® EOS Revelation II water ionizer an exception is:
After the ON-OFF operating sensor has been touched to switch it off, it reverses the electrode polarity for a few seconds and flushes the cleaning water out of the device.
However, this is not enough to keep the two outlets free of limescale in the long term, so descaling is best carried out every 2-6 months. The video explains exactly what you should pay attention to.
Descaling under-sink ionizer | AquaVolta® Elegance
Although the AquaVolta® Elégance has a sophisticated descaling concept, namely the automatic flow reversal after every change in the polarization of the electrodes, it is also the case with the AquaVolta® Elegance It is necessary to descale the under-sink water ionizer regularly.
Depending on usage, descaling may be necessary every 4 weeks to 12 months. This depends on various factors, which are shown as follows:
- Water hardness or the lime content of tap water
- The set water flow: the slower, the stronger the end result, the faster the calcification of the alkaline hydrogen water outlet
- The level set, the stronger the electrolysis power, the faster the calcification
- The total amount of alkaline water produced daily
The video on the left is very informative.
Descaling a water ionizer with a flow dial
If you own one of the water ionizers listed below, be sure to watch this video.
In short: Make sure that the pump can pump the citric acid solution into the filter. The rotary control should therefore always be set to OFF, i.e. in the off position. The following water ionizers have a flow control dial and are descaled analogously:
Descaling ionizer with flow regulator | Nexus X Blue > The predecessor of the AquaVolta® Moses 7
This video shows the individual descaling steps that must be observed, especially for water ionizers with flow regulators.
According to the latest experience, you can only descale in one pass, you don't have to turn the ionizer on and off between descaling.
The duration can also be extended up to 4 hours depending on the level of use and calcification. If there is severe calcification, please replace the citric acid solution after an hour.
Descaling does not harm the water ionizer in any way. It's exactly the opposite, descaling is good for any water ionizer as long as you use citric acid and not acetic acid.
Descaling a water ionizer with an ON-OFF solenoid valve
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Most of the water ionizers that our customers mainly buy are the ones with a solenoid valve. These are ideal for permanent installation with a T-piece. At the push of a button, the water ionizers produce the last set ionization level because you remember it. In addition, the flow rate is fixed, which ensures that even small children can and will operate the system safely. We have Evidence videos.
The following water ionizers are among the models that have an ON-OFF solenoid valve:
General descaling instructions for a water ionizer
Over the last 10 years, Karl Heinz Asenbaum has made alkaline hydrogen water known in Germany, Austria and Switzerland through his numerous publications.
Let's see what he has to say on the subject of limescale and descaling a water ionizer.
Don't be fooled by the numerous statements from the reverse osmosis lobby and the beverage and pharmaceutical lobby that reverse osmosis water, i.e. water low in minerals, is the only true thing.
All living things, including plants and trees, depend on mineral salts in water and their transport through water. Minerals cannot be harmful!
With most ionizers, depending on the lime content and depending on the flow and the selected ionization level, the flow at the outlet for the alkaline hydrogen water decreases in the first 1 - 12 months
Therefore, you should descale these ionizers every two to four months, depending on the limescale content and usage.
We recommend regular descaling of all water ionizers every two to six months at the latest, as the valves and the outlet accumulate limescale. Depending on usage and your water hardness, descaling may only be necessary after 6-12 months. Descaling also means disinfecting your water ionizer and should therefore be carried out weekly in public places.
Ionizer | When is the right time to descale?
You can tell when the time is right for descaling by the volume flow ratio of the alkaline water to the acidic wastewater. After decalcification, just as much alkaline water is produced as acidic wastewater. The more calcified the outlet of the ionizer is, the less alkaline water flows through, so the wastewater volume flow increases depending on the degree of calcification and is a good indicator.
With the AquaVolta® EOS water ionizers (AquaVolta® EOS Genesis, AquaVolta® EOS Revelation under-table ionizer, AquaVolta® EOS Touch It's a little different: The EOS water ionizers only produce half as much wastewater as alkaline water. Therefore, the right time to descale an EOS water ionizer is when the same amount of water, i.e. 1:1, comes out of the waste water hose and the alkaline outlet.
Descaling is really easy to carry out once and practiced the next few times and is shown in our numerous videos.
