
Frequently asked question for FUTURA, our premium salt free water conditioner.
Hard Water: What is hard water and how does it affect my home?
Softener benefits: How can the Futura Water Softener benefit me?
About FUTURA: How does the FUTURA Salt-Free Anti Scale Water Softener function?
Reduce Scale Buildup: How does the FUTURA media prevent scale or reduce existing scale?
Media Material: What is the composition of the FUTURA media?
Rusted Water Pipes: What is the effect of using a FUTURA Water Conditioner on rusted water pipes?
Filtration Effect: Does the FUTURA system filter the water?
Clean the Media: Do I need to clean the media?
Media Replacement: How often does the FUTURA media need to be replaced?
Allow the Media to Rest: What happens during the night when there is no water flow?
Maximum Operating Temperature: What is the maximum operating temperature of the FUTURA media?
Reduce Scale Buildup: How does the FUTURA media prevent scale and reduce existing scale? |
Negative calcium and magnesium ions in the existing scales are attracted to the neutral calcium and magnesium crystal clusters. The neutral calcium and magnesium crystals will not attach to any kind of surface. This is because ions are formed into stable calcium and magnesium crystals and float in the water from the FUTURA Conditioner. Thus, existing scale is usually reduced or eliminated within 1 to 2 months. Depending on the thickness of the existing scale, it may take several weeks to remove most of the scale buildup. But after this, the pipe system and the heat exchanger surfaces will be absolutely clean. During these weeks, customers may experience a salty taste or light odor in the water for a short period of time. This happens because the FUTURA Water Conditioner is cleaning the pipes that may have sodium and/or calcium build up in the pipes. This will last for a short time until the pipes are clean. |
Media Material: What is the composition of the FUTURA media? | |||||||||
Information on the ingredients of the FUTURA media:
No other media can be combined with the FUTURA Salt-Free Anti-Scale product. FUTURA media is certified by the Water Quality Association (WQA) to NSF/ANSI-61 for health effects and approved for daily household water usage. |
Rusted Water Pipes: What is the effect of using a FUTURA Water Conditioner on rusted pipes? |
In older pipe systems and areas where high water hardness is a problem, significant lime deposits have often formed in the interior of water pipes. These in turn often contain rust particles and other corrosive products. When these lime deposits are broken down using the FUTURA Water Conditioner, released rust can come out of water faucets and possibly plug aerators and showerheads for a while. This problem can best be solved by occasionally cleaning these parts or replacing the rusted pipes. |
Filtration Effect: Does the FUTURA system filter the water? |
![]() No, the FUTURA system is not a filter. It doesn't trap the hardness nor does it exchange anything for the hardness. The media is in constant UPWARD motion and flows from the bottom to the top as a liquid in the mineral tank, so the media cannot filter the water. The media in the FUTURA system stays in a suspended state when the water is flowing. Any hard water agents like calcium carbonate and magnesium that enters the system is transformed into a crystallized form. These crystals will attach to the media for a short time until they grow to sub-micron size and break free from the media to flow easily away with the water without causing scale. FUTURA systems are specially designed to reduce and prevent hard water scale buildup to prolong the life of pipes and appliances. It does not purify water for drinking in the home. Thus, this system is often paired with a Reverse Osmosis drinking water filter that will purify your softened water into the best quality drinking water. |
Microorganisms: Do microorganisms accumulate in the catalyst and should they be regularly disinfected? |
No, the media does not demonstrate any filtration effects. When in service, the media is always suspended in the water and therefore microorganisms are repressed. This continuous backwashing cycle is the best action to keep the media clean; therefore, disinfecting the media granulate in most cases is not required. |
Special Precautions: Can the Futura media become fouled or damaged? What special precautions should I take? |
The softener comes with a carbon pre-filter that is recommended to change annually. This pre-filter is effective in reducing chlorine, bad taste, odor and organic compounds. In order to help prolong the lifespan of your Futura and maximize the softeners efficiency we highly suggest replacing this pre-filter annually, to protect the media from being exposed to any chlorine. The media is not hazardous and skin contact with the media is harmless. Hydrogen sulfide, concentrated nitric acid, and oil in the water can foul the media. |
Clean the Media: Do I need to clean the media? |
The media does not need to be cleaned prior to installation. However, we do recommend soaking the media with water for 15-20 minutes before installation. |
Media Replacement: How often does the FUTURA media need to be replaced? |
Our Futura is a low maintenance system that requires the media to be replaced on average every 3- 5 years. The Futura uses advanced catalytic media that is non-sacrificial and not consumed in the conversion process. In effect, the media results in an exceptionably long and durable life. |
Allow the Media to Rest: What happens during the night when there is no water flow? |
The media bed is not suspended when there is no water flow. The media bed will rest. It is recommended to allow the media bed to rest every 8 hours. This is usually not a problem in residential applications because you have at least 8 hours when the water is not flowing. |
Maximum Operating Temperature: What is the maximum operating temperature of the FUTURA media |
This material of the media is considered stable under specified conditions of usage. The FUTURA media will tolerate feed water temperature in between 41-120º F. |
Required Flow Rate: What is the maximum water gpm flow rate to achieve the highest level of scale reduction? |
Futura 10 – 10 gpm (1-3 bathrooms) ** The systems will work perfectly fine even if your peak water usage goes over the maximum gpm rate. |
pH Range: What is the pH range of the media? |
The media has a maximum range from 6 to 9 pH but is recommended to function with a pH range between 6.5 to 8.5. However, we have also found that it works at 5.5 pH. We recommend that you find out if your water is below 6 pH. |