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Revolutionizes Water Clarity Treatment!
Electronic Clarifier for Ponds and Pondless Waterfall Systems
Completely eliminates need for Algaecides!
The Aquascape, Inc. IonGen is a water clarifier solution for ponds, Pondless Waterfalls, and other decorative water features.
The IonGen drastically reduces pond maintenance and provides crystal clear water without the use of chemicals.
A microprocessor inside the IonGen control panel causes the outermost atoms of copper, silver, and zinc to lose an electron, creating a positive ion.
The positive ion attempts to flow from one of the Probe's bars to the other and is swept away by the flow of water where the ion can begin to treat the water.
The IonGen Probe is self cleaning, using reverse polarity to prevent scale and debris build-up on the Probe's bars.
The metal alloys in the Probe are scientifically blended and tested to produce maximum results.
The IonGen(tm) System is safe for fish and plants and is not toxic to any animals that may drink from the pond.
* Drastically reduces pond maintenance
* Crystal clear water without the use of chemicals
* Eliminates unsightly water conditions
* Simple to install
* Safe for fish and plants
* Not toxic to animals that may drink from the pond
* Energy efficient (less than $1 a month in electricity cost)
* Treats ponds up to 25,000 gallons
Note: Electrical cord is 10 feet long from Control Panel to Power Supply.. Probe cord from Probe to Control Panel is 10 Feet long
How does the IonGen work?
* The Aquascape IonGen releases a calculated mixture of copper, silver and zinc ions into the path of flowing water.
* The automatic control panel sends signals that slowly dissolve the replaceable metal probe. This unique combination of metal ions increases water quality, clarity and drastically reduces time consuming maintenance.
Easy to Install:
1. Install the Aquascape IonGen flow chamber directly into the water feature plumbing or hide the chamber underwater in an area with significant water flow.
2. Mount the control panel.
3. Test the pond water with the included copper test strip and set ionization level.
Note: For a 3" Pipe, please use a 3" Slip x 3" Slip x 2" FPT (part #402-338)
pH/Alkalinity Test Strips - 50 ct - 8000
Copper Test Strips - 25ct - 80042
Features:
* Easy to use touch pad makes it simple to adjust the amount of ionization. Can be easily adjusted based on size of pond or water feature.
* Electronic indicator automatically notifies you when the probe needs replacing. The probe typically last 1-3 seasons depending on usage, quantity of water and water parameters of the water feature.
* Comes complete with electronic control panel, outdoor-rated transformer, 2" PVC flow chamber with replaceable probe, copper test kit and owner's manual.
FAQ:
1. I understand you calibrate the system using test strips. Are these test strips measuring copper in the water column? Are you actually measuring copper concentration in ppm?
Answer: The unit will calibrate its self and it knows to based on the alkalinity of the water. The test strips do recognize the amount of copper in the water table and it is measured in ppm.
2. Is this system detrimental for use in ponds with biologic filtration? Wouldn't it be counter-productive to invertebrates of all kinds?
Answer:The IonGen will work in conjunction with existing biological filtration; it is releasing such miniscule amounts that it will not harm fish or invertebrates. It is recognized by the algae as a nutrient and absorbed so quickly you will not even detect it in your water table.
3. If I cannot install the IonGen in my tubing, where should the IonGen should be placed:?
Answer: It is functional anywhere water is passing through it. The Skimmer box is probably easiest because it's most likely already close to an electrical supply but it can be used in the BioFalls or even laying in the stream. Regardless the probes should be left inside the provided "T" fitting in any of the installation scenarios to protect them. We have seen applications however where the probe when dropped into a Skimmer or Biofalls and not installed in-line is not receiving sufficient flow. The result is poor ion distribution and the probes begin to scale up because the ions are not being pushed away with the flow. This can cause the green light not to be solid and continually flashing or the power not being able to be raised all the way. In some cases, the IonGen did work at full powewr but as the probe's bars scaled up, the probe got suffocated. The probe can be removed from the Flow Chamber and scraped clean and placed back in the filter WITHOUT the Flow Chamber.
4. Can I leave the IonGen in my pond all winter?
Answer: If the pond is running then it can be used all winter in it. If they turn off the waterfall and just have a bubbler / heater then it's best to take it out as it won't really be doing anything!
5. Do you absolutely need a GFI with an IonGen because it only draws 1 watt?
Answer: It is not necessary, but recommended to reduce risk of electric shock
6. I can only screw in my probe 2 revolutions and it does not appear that the Probe is all the way in. Is this a problem?
Answer: The cap is not going to thread down all of the way. It is a tapered fitting. If you are going to plumb it in line you may want to use Teflon tape on the probe fitting and wrench the fitting down to make it water tight
7. My Green light has been flashing since Saturday afternoon when we plugged it in. It immediately went to full bars. Is this a problem?
Answer: If the green light is flashing there is no need to be alarmed. It is still working fine. The newest units are self-calibrating.
8. The Instruction Manual recommends PH/Alkalinity Test Strips 98953 but I cannot find them on your site.
Answer: There was a misprint in the Instruction Manual. That part number is actually the Spring Start-up Kit. The correct item# for the PH/Alkalinity Test Strips is 80005 and is in the same drop-down box as the IonGen above.
9. Will the salt I put it my pond adversely affect the IonGen?
Answer: It will not affect the IonGen. In fact, it will actually increase the conductivity of the unit.
10. I have had my unit for 3 weeks now and I am not getting a copper reading on my test strips.
Answer: It is most likely a new generation self-calibrating unit so it will raise and lower the amount of copper on its own. Not reading any copper in the water table is normal as the copper is being absorbed by the algae as quickly as it enters the pond/stream bed.It may take 6-8 wks to see results.
11. There is a Red Dot on the top of the probe. What is that for?
Answer: The red dot should be in line in the direction that the water is flowing for best results. Another way to describe it is that the water should be flowing like a football going through the uprights.
12. Is it ok to use Aquascape's Pond Detoxifier productor other products that bind heavy metals like copper?
Answer:Detox is designed to bind heavy metals. If you use Detox or add Detox every time you top-off your pond, the IonGen will; not be as effective.
12. We are using well water. Will the IonGen work as well?
Answer:Sometimes the alkalinity can be over 250 which can be too high which may cause the copper ions to not function as well. You should probably test your water with a decent test kit (sometimes the test strips do not get accurate readings and have a +/- accuracy of 10%)
13. I have heard the first IonGens did not automatically recalibrate. How do I know if I have an old or a new IonGen?
Answer: Serial #'s 0005774 and BELOW are generation 1 units, 0005775 and above are new generation 2 units.
14.Can the Control Panel be mounted outside in the elements? Is it waterproof?
Answer: The control panel is NOT waterproof. It is weather proof though, it cannot be submerged in water or anything similar, it can be rained on though and still work.
Customer Feedback:
Teresa H. (4/20/10):
"Cleaned the pond of terrible algae earlier this Spring. Bought an IonGen from the Pond Outlet and installed it last Monday when the algae was just beginning again. The algae is barely visible, the water is clear and the fish are just fine. I'm thrilled with the IonGen and its results!"
IonGen System - 98880
IonGen Replacement Probe - 98881
Please click on PDF file below for Instruction Manual:
Official FAQ from Aquascape released 8/23/10:
How does the IonGen(tm) actually work?
The IonGen(tm) is a water clarifier solution for ponds, Pondless Waterfalls, and other decorative water features. The IonGen(tm) reduces pond maintenance by significantly reducing the unsightly debris that attaches itself to the rocks and gravel throughout the pond, stream and waterfalls. A microprocessor inside the IonGen(tm) Control Panel causes the outermost atoms of the metal probe to lose an electron, creating a positive ion. The positive ion attempts to flow from one of the Probe's bars to the other and is swept away by the flow of water where the ion can begin to treat the water. The metal alloys in the Probe are scientifically blended and tested to produce maximum results. The IonGen(tm) System is safe for fish and plants and is not toxic to any animals that may drink from the pond,
Does the IonGen(tm) automatically adjust the amount of ions?
No, adjustment is made manually by raising or lowering the ionization level using the up and down buttons Use visual cues related to the appearance of the water feature to determine if the ionization level should be raised or lowered. Try maintaining the ionization level at two or three bars and raise when needed. Unnecessarily maintaining the IonGen(tm) at full ionization power will exhaust the probe at a faster rate.
I've been testing my copper levels, but don't see any indication of copper on the test strips?
It is normal to not have any copper registering on the test strips as the copper is being utilized within the system at a rapid pace. Use visual cues to determine if the ionization level should be raised or lowered. It is always good practice to routinely monitor the copper levels in the pond. This is especially true of small ponds that have lower volumes of water, as the copper levels can rise quickly if left unchecked. The copper level should not exceed 0.25 ppm (mg/L).
I've been operating the IonGen(tm) for several weeks and don't notice any difference?
The IonGen(tm) releases a trace amount of ions into the water. The low dosing rate is what makes the unit safe for use in ponds. Larger ponds and ponds with poor water conditions will take longer to achieve the desired results due to IonGen(tm) FAQ the low dosing rate.
There are several things that will help improve results with the IonGen(tm)
Make sure the control panel is working properly. See FAQ's on flashing ionization lights and power bar indicating lights.
Make sure the probe is receiving sufficient flow. This ensures the ions are being properly distributed throughout the water feature. Also, make sure that the probe is not clogged with debris. See FAQ's on sufficient flow and probe orientation.
Make sure the alkalinity is in the proper parameters. See FAQ's on alkalinity and evaporation.
It is recommended to clean and remove as much debris from the water feature as possible prior to installing the IonGen(tm).
Why is the Ionization light flashing green?
- OR-
Why can't I raise the ionization bars to the top?
This is typically related to insufficient water flow across the probe or insufficient water conductivity. The following pages will address how to
troubleshoot.
1st make sure the probe is receiving enough water flow
The probe should be located in an area where there is sufficient water flow to ensure proper distribution of ions throughout the water feature. If it is plumbed into the main water feature plumbing there will be more than enough flow.
Also make sure the red dot on the top of the probe cap is orientated in line with the direction of the water flow (see diagram on following page)
If the PVC Flow Chamber and Probe is not plumbed in-line and is set in the filter or up in the stream try removing it from the PVC Flow Chamber and submerging the bare probe into the flow of water. This may provide better flow across the bars. Clean any bluish-green scale build-up off the bars
How do you know if you don't have enough flow?
Not able to raise the ionization level to full power
Blinking green ionization light
Frequent bluish-green scale build-up on the probe
Not achieving the desired results
Probe orientation
Make sure the red dot on the top of the probe cap is orientated in line with the direction of the water flow
Probe may be clogged with debris, covered with bluish green scale build up or could be close to being exhausted
Inspect probe and remove debris or scrape of scale build up. Replace the Probe if the Probe's bars are exhausted (the bars will appears significantly deteriorated)
Conductivity in the water may be too low
If you've verified that there is enough flow, have inspected the Probe and you are still experiencing flashing green or the inability to raise the
ionization level you may need to increase the conductivity of the water. Add a small quantity of Pond Salt (1/2 cup/100 gallons) to the water. This raises the conductivity and provides the Control Panel the ability to increase the activation and release of ions
The probe is exhausted in only several months?
Use visual cues related to the appearance of the water feature to determine if the ionization level should be raised or lowered. Try maintaining the
ionization level at two or three bars and raise when needed. Unnecessarily maintaining the IonGen(tm) at full ionization power will exhaust the probe at a faster rate.
Why is alkalinity important to the success of the IonGen(tm)
This is due to the relationship of Alkalinity and copper
Copper ions become ineffective if the alkalinity is above 250 mg/L (ppm).
A good range of alkalinity level is between 80-180 mg/L (ppm).
The max range is between 50-250 mg/L (ppm)
High evaporation can change the alkalinity
Alkalinity levels in water features with high evaporation rates can be
additional minerals are added within the new water used to top-off the water feature. Too high of alkalinity may be a reason why you don't see results with ionization or had good results, but then notice it decline later in the season. One easy way to reduce alkalinity if it gets too high is to conduct a partial water change.
The water appears to be stained brown or brownish-green?
This is more than likely the result of organic debris decomposing in the water feature.
Any of the following will help clear the water:
Use a debris net to physically remove organic matter from the bottom of the pond
SAB Stream and Pond Clean contains bacteria and enzymes to help speed up and complete the break down of organic debris. Also includes a powerful phosphate binder
Rapid Clear Flocculent clears cloudy or discolored water by clumping up suspended debris so it can be removed by the filter
Water changes can be conducted. Always remember to us Pond Detoxifier when adding tap water to remove chlorine and chloramines. View PDF Info Sheet
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