FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Water Cleanser (TWC) is best described as a microbiological culture pad. If you look at TWC under a powerful microscope, it is full of millions of microscopic capillaries that progress from one end through to the other. These microscopic capillaries provide the ultimate home for all the required “bugs” (beneficial bacteria and microbes) that maintain the health of water. TWC also provides the required trace elements for the microbes to thrive and function to their optimal levels whilst also providing the breeding trace elements for Archaea microbes and Bacillus bacteria.
Beneficial bacteria and microbes naturally break down and process organic waste (excess food, plant matter, dying algae, fish feces, etc.) in water systems. Outside influences such as chemicals, pollutants, and fertilizers can disrupt the natural cycle and weaken the existing beneficial bacteria. The Water Cleanser (TWC) provides a protective habitat with all the required trace elements that allow the microbes to breed and multiply at their optimal rate. Once the microbes are re-established in the water system, they can then consume the organic waste at an accelerated rate, leaving the water cleaner and healthier, and requiring less maintenance.
TWC is completely safe. It has been granted approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in 2009 as a non-chemical product as it does not destroy, stupefy, repel or inhibit the feeding of algae or aquatic life and the product does not leach any trace elements into the water.
The Water Cleanser doesn’t provide any microbes or bacteria into the water; it is just a home for natural “bugs” to live in. We realize that in some situations all microbial life has been completely killed in a waterway and in these situations a water consultation will likely be required to determine what has killed the bugs, treat the contaminant and reintroduce bugs back to the waterway. Special attention needs to be taken in these cases because introducing bugs to a waterway will provide a quick clean up but if not done correctly, can also create problems later. When introducing bugs it is best to use multiple species so the full nitrification and de-nitrification process takes place in the water. It is ideal to only use TWC as it enhances the natural bugs of your waterway.
Yes! Excess nutrients in the water from organic waste can encourage overgrowth of algae, including algal blooms. The Water Cleanser accelerates proliferation of beneficial bacteria and microbes which consume that organic matter. Massive algal blooms require lots of nutrients; with their food source consumed by the microbes, the algae starves and dies. For more specific information on how The Water Cleanser helps with algal blooms download the brochure in the footer below.
Other products used to clear water sources of algae can be classed into two categories: Chemical or Bacterial supplementation.
Chemical usage, while sometimes effective in the short term, can potentially have unintended long-term impacts on the ecosystem. Many of the popular chemicals used to control algae can cause harm to fish, plant, and other marine life in the water. Another negative side effect from chemicals is that any algae killed by the treatment accumulate at the bottom of the pond as an organic sludge. In addition to being undesirable, this organic waste provides the nutrients required to fuel the next major algal bloom, enabling a cycle that will continue to damage the water source.
As a result of past chemical treatments, excessive fertilizer use in the surrounding areas, and other environmental factors, water systems can develop a restricted beneficial bacterial count. This can be remediated through bacterial supplementation. There are several types of beneficial bacteria that can be purchased on the market, in both liquid or powder form. While using bacteria to clean the water is the natural and organic solution, simple supplementation is, in most cases, not a lasting solution. Although there is plenty of organic matter in the water to serve as a food source for the bacteria, the lack of breeding trace elements in the water and suitable protective surfaces from which to colonize makes it difficult for the beneficial bacteria to become established and thrive in that system. This often leads to continual supplementation of bacteria into the water source, which makes it an impractical and expensive solution.
The Water Cleanser has been specifically developed and designed to provide all the necessary elements for both beneficial bacteria and microbes to colonize, exponentially multiply, and establish a breeding cycle that can perpetually perform the organic waste breakdown crucial to a healthy, organic and sustainable water source.
When there is another nutrient source present that is not organic waste, algae can still survive in the water. Fertilizer is the most common culprit. The chemicals in fertilizers provide food for plants and algae, so if fertilizer is continually leaching into the water, algae can continue to grow. In a domestic setting, well water commonly has high level of minerals in it, or it could be coming from runoff from your garden. The good news is that The Water Cleanser causes a massive reduction in organic pollution, so usually over time, this food source for the algae will be used up and the algae will die. This can take up to 10 weeks but in extreme circumstances much longer.
It's dying. The Water Cleanser hasn't killed it, but the algae is just running out of food (from organic waste). This is a good sign that your water is on its way to recovery. It means that friendly microbes are hard at work.
Please allow up to 10 weeks before noticeable changes in the water, although in stagnant water the process will take longer. Existing water quality will also affect the speed of results. In filtered or moving water the results are seen much earlier. The first thing you will notice is a reduction in odor.
The Water Cleanser is a natural solution to organic pollution. If chemical contamination is present in your water source, then other action will be required. Please refer to the question above "What if there are no bugs in my water system?".
The Water Cleanser does not directly put oxygen into the soil, but it does lower the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) of the nitrification process by 50% while increasing the conductivity by 100%. This in turn allows oxygen naturally to come back into the water system and the excess oxygen is then taken up by the soil, which stops the pollution from the dead zone soil. The full recovery of the water system can then begin. For more information download the brochure from the link in the footer.
No, TWC simply provides a home and nutrients to the existing beneficial bacteria and microbes in the water. There can only be as many microbes in the water as there is food source to support them.
Yes, in order to maintain the health of the water system continue to use TWC. The Aquarium balls, Pond and Pool Blocks should be replaced every 3 months and the Industrial Blocks every 6 months. Always leave the previous product in the water for at least a one week overlap to ensure that the life cycle of the microbes is continuous. The younger microbes are most effective in the initial stages of the nitrification process while the older ones contribute the most toward the final stages.
Yes, this product can be used in both fresh and salt water aquariums.
No, TWC is completely natural and safe and cannot harm fish. Eleven years of product trials on fresh and salt water aquarium tanks caused no harm to any fish, coral, sponges, crustaceans or frogs. In fact, studies performed at Curtin University in Perth, Australia have shown that using TWC in aquariums reduces fish deaths by 27% while increasing stocking density by 31%. For more information on the effect of TWC on fish download the brochure from the link in the footer below.
Yes. Trials have also shown that TWC performs even better when plants are in the aquarium or pond.
Sucker fish can still thrive in a system with TWC as some algae don’t depend on organic matter for survival. This is what the sucker fish will live on.
The glass will still need to be cleaned periodically. Beneficial microbes consume organic waste at the bottom of the tank and in the filter but do not form colonies on the walls.
It is recommended to perform a 10% water change monthly but this is subject to the water influences. Without TWC it would be necessary to change 8-10 times the amount of water, around 20% weekly.
No, they hinder the ability for TWC to assist good bacteria and microbial life. UV lighting systems function by killing ALL forms of bacteria and microbes. The UV light will kill the beneficial microbes needed to eat the organic waste in the water, making TWC ineffective. For more information on why not to use antibiotics and UV lighting in conjunction with TWC please download the brochure from the link in the footer.
The fish are currently being overfed. High nutrient levels in the water will cause overgrowth of algae and cloudiness. Lower the amount of food being fed to the fish on a daily basis and the water will clear once TWC has processed the excess organic waste (typically 3 to 4 days). If after that time the water has still not cleared, give the tank a small water change.
For aquariums, one ball will treat up to 13 gallons and are made to fit inside most aquarium filters. For larger aquariums, the pond blocks can be used which will treat up to 265 gallons. In fish / Koi ponds, 1 pond block treats 800 gallons. Simply rinse the product to remove any contaminants from shipping and place in the water preferably where there is plenty of water flow.
Organic pollution is constantly being introduced into your pool from insects, leaves, swimmers and other matter. Organic matter can cause algae and cloudy water. The Water Cleanser helps healthy microbes to breed and decompose organic matter rapidly. Your water will remain healthier and clearer.
Algae requires two elements to survive, sunlight and organic waste. The Water Cleanser starves algae of its food source, organic waste. Therefore in most cases, the algae will disappear. However some algae that sticks to pool walls require sunlight only. These will need the use of chlorine to remove.
Chlorine kills bacteria that can be hazardous to humans through a fairly simple chemical reaction. The chlorine solution breaks down into many different chemicals, including hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-). Both kill microorganisms and bacteria by attacking the lipids in the cell walls and destroying the enzymes and structures inside the cell, rendering them oxidized and harmless. The Water Cleanser supports Archaea microbes and certain Bacillus bacteria (beneficial bacteria for humans) that consume organic oils. Some of these bacteria (e.g. Bacillus pumilus) show high resistance to environmental stresses including UV exposure, desiccation, and the presence of oxidizers such as hydrogen peroxide. They have a high salt tolerance and can be seen to inhibit the growth of marine pathogens including Vibrio alginolyticus. In a pool treated with The Water Cleanser, these organic oil-eating bacteria can continue to thrive in the normal operating ranges of chlorine treated pools. In the case where a pool has been shocked or super-chlorinated, the levels of these beneficial bacteria may be reduced but as this bacteria is found nearly everywhere in nature, it will naturally return to the pool without external supplementation.
No. UV lighting systems work by killing all forms of bacteria and microbes (even the good ones). The UV light will kill the beneficial microbes needed to eat the organic waste in your water, making The Water Cleanser ineffective.
Yes it will. Testimonials and tests show us on average most pool owners can cut their chemical additives significantly and reduce their pump time by up to half. Each pool will have a different set of variables. Note that chlorine or another sanitizing method is needed to protect your pool from pathogens such as amoebae or human-borne bacteria which can cause disease. This is absolutely critical in a public pool.
No. Your pool must have a degree of chemical use, as there are laws governing pool maintenance, that include mandatory chemical use for the control of diseases. Additionally, if your pool is completely natural you effectively have a pond. Mother nature will come and inhabit your pool (i.e. frogs and tadpoles). Also some leaf stains and algae require chlorine to eradicate them. Remember to reduce the chemical use slowly over a 10 week period. Please read our testimonials to discover reductions in pump time and chemical use achieved.
The Water Cleanser does not affect pH levels.
One pool block will treat up to 15,850 gallons. Simply rinse the block to remove any contaminants from shipping and place the block in the skimmer box.
The Water Cleanser can be used any where there exists organic waste. TWC has been used successfully in aquaculture (fisheries and prawn farms), waste water and effluent systems, septic tanks, and waterways (lakes, ponds, rivers, marinas, golf course water hazards).
The 1 kilo block of The Water Cleanser will treat up to 1,100 square feet of surface area for average depths up to 20 feet. For average depths greater than 20 feet, double the amount of blocks required. Please rinse the product before applying to remove any contaminants that might have occurred trough shipping and handling. When using multiple blocks, space the blocks out evenly. For easy retrieval and replacement, tie a line through the hole in the block and secure.
In Waste Water and Effluent systems, a 1 kilo block of The Water Cleanser will treat up to 550 square feet of surface area for depths up to 20 feet. For depths greater than 20 feet, double the amount of blocks required. Please rinse the product before applying to remove any contaminants that might have occurred trough shipping and handling. When using multiple blocks, space the blocks out evenly. For easy retrieval and replacement, tie a line through the hole in the block and secure.
For Septic Tanks, use the pre-cut Septic Tank blocks and place one half in each of the first 2 compartments of the septic system.
The 1 kilo block of The Water Cleanser will treat up to 1,100 square feet of surface area for average depths up to 20 feet. For average depths greater than 20 feet, double the amount of blocks required. Please rinse the product before applying to remove any contaminants that might have occurred through shipping and handling. When using multiple blocks, space the blocks out evenly. For easy retrieval and replacement, tie a line through the hole in the block and secure.
Sinking blocks house anaerobic bacteria that gather at the bottom of the water system. Floating blocks house aerobic bacteria that live within the top two cm of the water system. Anaerobic bacteria are used in the breakdown of organic waste, while aerobic bacteria are great at producing probiotics and enzymes which improve the health of the aquatic creatures. Certain anaerobic bacteria are great for controlling string algae. The type of blocks to be used will depend on your type of water system and specific needs. Any waste water application (effluent lagoons, septic tanks, etc) will benefit the most from sinking blocks. Highly contaminated waterways will benefit from a combination of both in order to control the organic waste and enhance the health of the marine life. Aquaculture applications will benefit the most from floating blocks. If you are unsure, contact us and we will be happy to provide guidance.