The Usual Questions
Carbon Block: Carbon block filters consist of compressed activated carbon. They effectively remove chlorine, sediment, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bad tastes, and odours from water. Carbon block filters have a large surface area for adsorption, allowing them to trap contaminants effectively.
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): GAC filters contain loose granules of activated carbon. Like carbon block filters, they remove chlorine, sediment, VOCs, and unpleasant tastes and odours from water. GAC filters are often used in conjunction with other filtration methods for comprehensive water purification.
Pleated: Pleated filters feature a pleated design, typically made from materials like polyester, polypropylene, or cellulose. These filters offer a larger surface area for filtration, which enhances their contaminant removal capacity. Pleated filters can effectively trap sediment, dirt, rust, and other particulate matter from water. They are able to be regularly rinsed to prolong their life span.
KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion): KDF filters utilize a high-purity alloy of copper and zinc to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and microorganisms from water. KDF media work through a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction, where contaminants are either reduced or oxidized, transforming them into harmless substances.
Resin: Resin filters often use ion exchange resin beads to remove dissolved minerals and metals from water. These filters are particularly effective at softening hard water by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions. Resin filters are commonly used in water softening systems.
Polypropylene: Polypropylene filters are made from thermoplastic polymer fibres. These filters are highly effective at removing sediment, silt, sand, and rust from water. Polypropylene filters are often used as pre-filters to protect more delicate filtration systems downstream.
1 micron is extremely small, measuring just one-millionth of a meter. It's often used to describe very fine particles, bacteria, and some viruses.
20 microns, while still relatively small, is 20 times larger than 1 micron. It's often used to describe larger particles such a grain of pollen.
For reference a human hair is over 100micron thick.
2 to 5 years
The warranty on parts and hardware for most the Sapphire range is 2 years, with the exception of the ILQ7 hardware which is 5 years.
DIY is OK
The point of use Sapphire products are designed DIY and if the instructions are followed then the warranty applies. We recommend you have a plumber install the point of entry products as that will deal with mains supply.
Products that take full house pressure
ILQ7 under bench model
M603 full house model
BH10W full house model
Filter Protection Valve
It is recommended to use a Filter Protection Valve (FPV) to stabilise the water pressure.
Trouble Shooting
These elbows require 4/5 layers of plumbers tape wrapped around them to complete the seal when they are screwed in the RP33 cartridge.
There can be two reasons for this:
- The filters have a flow direction that is printed on the side, if installed upside down no water will flow through them.
- Over tightening elbows into cartridge will block the water flow into the cartridge undo elbows 1/4 turn to enable water flow.
These cartridges are cased in heavy duty plastic, they can withstand knocks and bumps but will crack under trauma such as dropping. They can also crack under intense high pressure from water supply. It is recommended to use a Filter Protection Valve (FPV) to stabilise the water pressure.
We offer a replacement internal cartridge for the DF1 tap.
Both connector and hose require 5/7 layers of plumbers to complete the seal when screwed into the ILQ7 cartridge.
This is generally due to the excess carbon that comes out the filter when first installed, run the water for 2 to 5 min until it runs clear.
These units need a flow rate of approx. 2L per min this can be done by adjusting the handle on the STV or TB51. If the flow rate is too great the water will not have adequate time to be filtered.
These filters have a flow direction that is printed on the side, if installed upside down no water will flow.
- Turn off the water supply.
- The saddle tapping valve will currently be allowing 2 to 4L/min of flow out of the cold-water pipe to flow into the filter.
- Twist the handle clockwise as shown in the initial instructions, the pin will reinsert into the pipe (just a few turns as we do not want to pierce through the other side!).
- This will stop the water flow into the filter system.
- Remove both of the quick fit elbows. To release Quick Fitting hold the lip where the tubing enters down towards the rest of the fitting this will release the grip inside.
- Replace with a new RP33 cartridge, taking note of the flow direction.
- Wrap 4/5 layers of new plumbers' tape around the elbows before reconnection them to the cartridge.
- Turn back on the water.
- Turn the STV anticlockwise to allow water to flow into the new cartridge at 2L/min.
- Turn off the water supply
- The TB51 will currently be allowing 2 to 4L/min of flow out of the cold-water pipe to flow into the filter.
- Turn the handle to off -anti clockwise.
- This will stop the water flow into the filter system.
- Remove both of the quick fit elbows. To release Quick Fitting hold the lip where the tubing enters down towards the rest of the fitting this will release the grip inside.
- Replace with a new RP33 cartridge, taking note of the flow direction
- Wrap 4/5 layers of new plumbers' tape around the elbows before reconnection them to the cartridge.
- Turn back on the water
- Turn the TB51 to allow water to flow into the new cartridge at 2L/min.
The FPV (Flow Pressure Valve) is a pressure-limiting valve used in water systems. It helps maintain a consistent water pressure, protecting your appliances and plumbing from damage due to high water pressure. It ensures that the water pressure stays within safe limits, enhancing the longevity and performance of devices like water filters, ice makers, coffee machines, chillers, and hot water tanks.
It should be installed in all households with old plumbing systems and also households on tank water. This way it will protect any appliances, especially the SL33 kits from the water pressure being excessive. Most new build homes have these FPV built in so it is not always necessary.
We provide both a 1/4" and 3/8" inch FPV which can be connected to the corresponding sized white tubing via a quick fit mechanism.