IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
The red dye test is intended solely to verify that your water filter is installed correctly—ensuring that no water comes from anywhere other than the stems of the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements and that the filters are not depleted. There are no independent test results showing the percentage by which the red food dye is filtered out. Therefore, no official claim is made that this contaminant is reduced. If the instructions below are not followed—for example, if a higher concentration of red dye or a different type of red dye is used—it is likely that it will not be reduced by 100 percent. It is therefore important to follow the instructions below carefully, with particular attention to the amount of red food coloring used and ensuring that the test is not performed more than twice a year.
The BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter cartridges are powerful enough to remove red food coloring from water. By performing a red food coloring test, you can be sure that your water filtration system is working properly.
GUIDELINES
- We recommend performing 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 only for BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements and NOT for other filter elements (such as fluoride filters) that do not filter out the dye.
- Make sure the food coloring is RED. Red food coloring (unlike the other colors) does not contain any minerals, so the element recognizes it as a contaminant. Also, do not use natural red food coloring (such as beet juice); this, too, is not recognized as a contaminant. The goal is to use a synthetic red food coloring, so be sure to use the original red food coloring.
- The red dye test must be performed after the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements have been primed.
CONDUCTING THE TEST
NOTE: Check out our instructional videos for a clip showing how to perform the red dye test.
1. Start with an empty water filter system (top and bottom tanks) and remove any fluoride filters (if installed).
2. Place only the top tank (with the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements installed) on glasses of similar size (so that the filter stems protrude from the glass). This makes it easy to see right away which filter passes and which fails the test.
3. In a separate pitcher, add 3 drops (= 0.15 ml) of food coloring per liter of water and mix (a small bottle of original red food coloring is enough to perform a full test multiple times). Pour the red water into the upper reservoir until the filters are completely submerged. Note: Never pour red food coloring directly from the bottle onto the filters or into the upper reservoir. Always mix the food coloring with water in a separate pitcher first.
4. Allow the water to filter from the upper reservoir into the glasses below. When the glasses are three-quarters full, pour the remaining water out of the top reservoir. Note: The glasses may fill at different rates.
5. Check the water in each glass. It should be clear, with no pink or red tint. If the water in any of the glasses is red or has a pink tint, that specific filter may be defective or worn out. See below.
IF YOU NOTICE A RED COLOR IN THE WATER, CHECK THE FOLLOWING:
1. Are the wing nuts tightened properly? Do not use tools to tighten the wing nuts; they should be tightened by hand until you feel resistance—that is sufficient. If the wing nuts are too tight, this can damage the threads on the stem and/or the grooves on the wing nut. This can affect the seal. If this has occurred, please contact us.
2. Are you using natural red food coloring or a different color of food coloring? Non-natural red food coloring is the only type recommended for this test.
3. Is the black ring from the BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter elements also in the upper chamber, and is the wing nut tightened at the bottom? If the black ring is on the outside of the lower chamber (i.e., right next to the wing nut), this does not provide a proper seal. As a result, the test will fail. Place the black ring on the inside of the upper housing and repeat the test.
4. Do the blind plugs properly seal the unused holes (if applicable)? Are the blind plugs securely installed so that the holes are truly sealed? For blind plugs with a bolt and nut, there must be a sealing ring on both sides (not just on one side). If the plugs leak, 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 previously failed? If so, be sure to rinse this filter element and prime it again before retesting. Also, make sure all the water has been drained from the bottom container (or glass). If you’re using the lower container or a glass to collect water, first rinse it thoroughly with clean water. You’re now ready to repeat the test.
6. If you’ve done all of the above and a filter cartridge still fails the red dye test, please contact us. The BOROUX Foundation™ Black filter cartridges come with a one-year warranty.
NOTE: Check out ourinstructional videos for a clip showing how to perform the red dye test.