Frequently Asked Questions Pool FAQ Water FAQ Pool FAQ How does the pool purifier work? The Sigma III Pool System releases precisely controlled amounts of copper and silver into your water. The copper kills the algae, and the silver kills the bacteria. So it accomplishes the same job as chlorine, but without the irritating side effects. Can I install the pool system into my existing filtration system? YES. The Sigma III installs easily into all types of pool filtration systems. It has proven to work well with sand, D.E. and cartridge filters, and can be installed into plaster, vinyl, fiberglass, or pebble-tec pools. Is it harmful to have copper and silver in my water? NO. The Sigma III Pool Purifier, unlike many competitor's systems, allows you to control the amount of copper and silver in the water. A copper test kit is provided with every Sigma III unit so you, the customer, can determine the amount of copper in your pool. The levels of copper and silver that will need to be kept in your pool water are .4ppm copper and .02ppb silver, these amounts are smaller than that allowed by U.S. drinking water standards. The EPA set the limits on copper and silver to: 1.3ppm copper and .1ppb silver. Will I need to drain my pool when I install my Sigma III? NO. If you are currently using chlorine (or bromine in a spa) the Sigma III can be installed without making any changes to the water. The chlorine will slowly dissipate, and you will have a chlorine-free pool in no time. If you are using some type of alternative chemical, like Baquacil, you will need to put in certain chemicals that neutralize the Baquacil before putting the Sigma III in, much like converting back to chlorine. You should be able to find those chemicals at your local pool store. Can I really have a chlorine free pool? YES. The Sigma III is designed to prevent algae and bacteria from growing in your pool water. Occasionally your pool may be filled with an overload of bacteria in a short period of time ( a storm or a pool party, for example). In such instances you will need to oxidize your pool in order to take care of the extreme levels of bacteria quickly. In this situation we recommend using a non-chlorine oxidizer, like potassium monopersulfate. Other oxidizers like household bleach or liquid chlorine can also be used. You won't need much, and if you put it in and let your pool circulate for a little while, the chemicals will be gone in no time. So if you use a non-toxic oxidizer, then YES, you can have a chlorine free pool. Can I install this system myself? The installation of the Sigma III pool system is not very difficult. If you have experience working with pvc pipes and minor electrical hook-ups, then you can install the system yourself. If not, we recommend using a licensed pool service company. Complete installation instructions come with every system. What about blue staining? Blue stains occur on the walls when your copper level gets extremely high. As stated previously, one of the advantages of the Sigma III Pool System is that you can control the amount of copper and silver added to your pool. With your Sigma III Pool System you will receive a copper test kit, that will tell you in what range to keep your copper. So long as you keep it in that range, you won't have blue stains. That was a problem for many of our competitors, because they had no way of monitoring the copper level. If this staining occurs, we have a chemical solution to fix the problem. My poolman says these things don't work. Many people in the pool industry have had negative experiences with other ionization systems. Many ionization companies have come and gone over the years, because the systems they manufactured didn't perform the way they had claimed. Only one company has been manufacturing systems for over 20 years, and that is SIGMA POOL SYSTEMS. The only reason that we have been around for this long is that our systems do work. We have always been dedicated to research first, sales later. So by doing our research first, we were able to develop a system that performs and is able to give our customers unprecedented service. Can I use the Sigma III in my spa/hot tub? YES. The Sigma Pool Purifier comes in different sizes, for different size pools. We manufacture a smaller system that is perfect for spas and hot tubs. With the Sigma III Spa System you will be able to enjoy your spa without the odors and skin irritations that often accompany chlorine or bromine. Can the Sigma III be used in a public or municipal pool setting? YES. The Sigma III Pool Purifier is used all over the world in public pools. In many areas the local health department may still require you to use a minimum amount of chlorine in a public pool setting. The Sigma III works great with chlorine, in fact, most public pool facilities have noticed that they use 60-80% less chemicals with the Sigma III. Patrons will notice a difference, and will comment that the water feels as though there is no chlorine in it. Are there any other applications for the Sigma III other than for pools and spas? YES. The Sigma III can be used in any setting where chlorine is used. Uses include, but are not limited to: Pools, Spas, Cooling Towers, Hotels, Health Clubs, Hostpitals, Therapeutic Institutes, Fountains, Water Parks, Koi Ponds, Horse Pools, Poultry, Cattle Farms, and Zoos. Water FAQ Is Sigma 2000 a Water Softener? A water softener takes the natural minerals from your water and replaces them with salts. The Sigma 2000, on the other hand, leaves the healthy minerals in the water, but changes the physical structure of the calcium minerals. By doing this, you are able to enjoy results similar to a water softener (scale reduction on pipes, plumbing, and water fixtures). The Sigma 2000 is classified as a Water Conditioner. Will I need a Reverse Osmosis with the Sigma 2000? NO. The Sigma 2000 purifies all of the water coming into your home that is as pure as most bottled waters. Purified water will come out of every faucet, so you will not need a seperate Reverse Osmosis system. Does the Sigma 2000 use salt or potassium? NO. The Sigma 2000 does not require you to add any salts to your water. What kind of maintenance is required with the Sigma 2000? NONE. The Sigma 2000 is a self-maintaining system. Once a week it will backwash itself automatically, keeping all of the materials clean. Backwashing cleans the carbon, KDF and regenerates the system. How much does a system cost? Prices vary in that there are different sizes and applications for the Sigma 2000. If you would like to get an estimate for your home, please contact your local distributor. I am on a well, can I still use the Sigma 2000? The Sigma 2000 will work with some well water. In order to know for sure, Sigma will need a copy of your latest water analysis, which must include at least the levels of TDS, iron, calcium, manganese, turbidity, pH, chlorine and the color of the water. Will the Sigma 2000 damage my plants? NO. Unlike water softeners that can destroy your plants, the Sigma 2000 will have no effect on your plants. Can I use this water in my swimming pool? YES. You can fill your pool with water treated by a Sigma 2000 without any negative side effects. Will the Sigma 2000 damage my septic tank? NO. The backwashed water from a Sigma 2000 is completely safe, and will not damage a septic tank system. Is this system environmentally safe? YES. The Sigma 2000 does not contain, nor does it release any type of pollutant. It is an environmentally friendly system. Can I install this system myself? We recommend having a qualified, licensed installer to install the system. Complete installation instructions come with every system. My tap water smells like rotten eggs. What causes that? Can it be fixed? It sounds as if you have a problem with Hydrogen Sulfide in your water. Water absorbs this gas as it passes through the ground. When you turn on your faucet, you actually vent the gas from your tap water. Hydrogen sulfide can be treated with oxidation and carbon filtration. The water then passes through a filter that removes the sulfur. The result is water free of the "rotten egg" smell you describe. What's causing these ugly orange stains in my sinks and bathtubs? Iron in your water is the most likely culprit. It stains faucets, sinks, bathtubs, countertops, appliances and even clothing. You can usually remove the iron with a home water conditioner. In some instances, iron is present in such large amounts that a multi-stage filtration system is necessary to remove it. But don't fret; your problem may appear worse than it really is. Iron in even small amounts can cause staining. I prefer bottled water. Is it the best alternative to my tap water? Bottled water is a good alternative if you would like better tasting water for drinking and cooking, but it can be expensive and a hassle to carry from the store. Because it is inconvenient to do so, you may not use it for everything you should, including drinks and recipes. It's generally less expensive in the long run to use a home drinking water system. Drinking water systems are convenient and provide you with high quality water in your own home when you want it, at prices per gallon that are considerably lower than bottled water.