IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU BEGIN
The red dye test is solely intended to check that your water filter has been fitted correctly – so that no water other than that from the stems of the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements is coming through – and that the filters have not reached the end of their service life. There are no independent test results showing the percentage by which the red food colouring is filtered out. No official claim is therefore made that this contamination is reduced. If, therefore, the instructions below are not followed and, for example, a higher concentration of red food colouring or a different type of red food colouring is used, it is likely that it will not be reduced by 100% per cent. It is therefore important to follow the instructions below carefully; this mainly concerns the amount of red food colouring used and ensuring that the test is not carried out more than twice a year.
The BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter cartridges are powerful enough to remove red food colouring from water. By carrying out a red food colouring test, you can be sure that your water filter system is working properly.
GUIDELINES
- We recommend carrying out this test the first time you use the product and then every six months (after cleaning) to ensure that the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements are working properly.
- The red dye test is intended solely for use with BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements and NOT for other filter elements (such as fluoride filters, for example) that do not filter out the colouring agent.
- Make sure the colouring is RED. Red food colouring (unlike the other colours) does not contain any minerals, so the element recognises it as a contaminant. Furthermore, do not use natural red colouring (such as beetroot juice, for example), as this is not recognised as a contaminant either. The aim is to use a synthetic red food colouring, so please use the original red food colouring.
- The red dye test must be carried out after the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements have been primed.
CARRYING OUT THE TEST
NOTE: Take a look at our instructional videos for a video showing how to carry out the red dye test.
1. Start with an empty water filter system (top and bottom tanks) and remove any fluoride filters (if fitted).
2. Place only the top container (with the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements installed) on glasses of a similar size (so that the filter stems protrude from the glass). This makes it easy to see straight away which filter passes and which fails the test.
3. In a separate jug, add 3 drops (= 0.15 ml) of food colouring per litre of water and mix (using a small bottle original red food colouring (so you can carry out a full test several times). Pour the red water into the top container until the filters are completely submerged. Please note: Never pour red food colouring straight from the bottle onto the filters or into the top compartment. Always mix the food colouring with water in a separate jug first.
4. Allow the water to filter from the top container into the glasses below. When the glasses are three-quarters full, pour the remaining water out of the top container. Please note: The glasses can be filled at different speeds.
5. Check the water in each glass. It should be clear, with no pink or red tinge. If the water in any of the glasses is red or has a pink tinge, that particular filter may be faulty or worn out. See below.
IF YOU NOTICE A RED COLOUR IN THE WATER, CHECK THE FOLLOWING:
1. Are the wing nuts securely fastened? Do not tighten the wing nuts with tools; they should be tightened by hand until you feel resistance – that is sufficient. If the wing nuts are overtightened, this may damage the thread on the stem and/or the grooves on the wing nut. This may affect the seal. Should this occur, please contact us.
2. Do you use natural red food colouring or a different colour of food colouring? No natural red food colouring is the only type recommended for this test.
3. Is the black ring from the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements also in the upper housing, and is the wing nut tightened at the bottom? If the black ring is on the outside of the lower housing (i.e. directly next to the wing nut), this does not provide a proper seal. Consequently, the test will fail. Place the black ring on the inside of the upper housing and repeat the test.
4. Do the plug caps seal the unused holes properly (where applicable)? Are the plug caps securely fitted so that the hole is actually sealed? For plug-caps with a bolt and nut, there must be a sealing ring on both sides (not just on one side). If the plug-caps are leaking, this will cause the test to fail. Tighten the plug-caps more securely and repeat the test.
5. Are you retesting a filter element that has failed? If so, make sure you rinse this filter element and prime it again before retesting. Also, make sure all the water has been drained from the bottom tray (or glass). If you are using the bottom tray or a glass to collect water, rinse it thoroughly with clean water first. You are now ready to repeat the test.
6. If you have done all of the above and a filter element still fails the red dye test, then contact Get in touch with us. The BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements come with a one-year guarantee.
NOTE: Take a look at our iinstructional videos for a video showing how to carry out the red dye test.