A pool ionizer uses electricity to produce mineral ions (which kill algae) and silver ions (which kill bacteria) within your pool's existing plumbing. A low voltage, DC current runs from a plate in your pool's sub panel. This current energizes copper and silver electrodes. A voltage is also applied to metallic electrodes that are within your plumbing pipe, causing an electrical current that transforms the copper and silver electrode's atoms into an ion. These ions are swept up in the passing water and introduced into your pool, where they float until they encounter a microorganism and kill it (copper ions will kill algae only and silver ions will only kill bacteria).

Benefits
Ionizers continually release microscopic copper and silver ions into the water which helps control algae and bacteria without using as many chemicals. You'll spend less time adjusting your pool's pH levels with a pool ionizer. Ions last longer in your water than chlorine and bromine, they won't dissipate or evaporate and they are unaffected by pH, temperature, aeration and sunlight. Pool ionizers are a good, cost effective addition to your pool's sanitation system.

Can I add a sequestering agent to the water?
You should not use a sequestering agent with an ionizer. Stain and scale preventing sequestering agents are needed if you have source water with high concentrations of iron, calcium, lime etc. Although these products are designed to remove iron and calcium, they will also remove the ions. If you have a serious staining and scaling concern, you can treat the water at the source using a Metal Trap filter. This filter can be attached to any garden hose and will remove contaminants before they enter the pool or spa.

About ClearBlue mineral ionizer
The ClearBlue pool mineral ionizer system hooks into your existing pool filtration system and releases microscopic ions of (which kill algae) which control bacteria and algae. This allows you to reduce the amount of chlorine, algaecide and other chemicals you need to use by up to 90%! The ClearBlue Ionizer costs less than a salt chlorinator, and pools equipped with the ClearBlue ionizer system require less maintenance and upkeep than traditional chlorine or salt water pools.  Best of all, the minerals that ClearBlue systems produce and release in to your pool are completely harmless to your pool equipment, structure and landscaping.

How it works
A very low voltage current is supplied to an electrode. The electrode is a solid piece of metal, an alloy of silver, copper, and zinc. This self-sacrificial electrode releases ions of these natural elements into the water.he disinfection properties of silver and copper have been known since ancient civilisations. They found that water in silver pots stayed purified, and algae didn’t grow in copper water containers. The hulls below the waterline of wooden sailing ships were clad with copper to resist the growth of algae and barnicles, hence the expression 'copper bottomed' for quality. NASA uses ionisation for purifying the drinking water in space stations. There is also good reason that people are asked to throw coins in fountains and wells. Was it for good luck? Or was it the fact that the silver and copper in the coins actually purified and kept the water clean?

In hospitals, copper-silver ionisation is applied successfully for the deactivation of Legionella bacteria; wound dressings are impregnated with silver for its powerful disinfecting properties.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Do I still need chlorine with the ClearBlue system?
Yes, but very little. Every swimming pool needs some chlorine to help sanitize the water – even when using socalled 'chlorine-free' UV and ozone systems. A mineral ionizer allows you to significantly reduce the chlorine to the level allowed in drinking water.

Can I use ClearBlue with my saltwater pool?
Yes. You can use a salt chlorinator to generate the small amount of chlorine needed for your ClearBlue mineral pool. However, the settings associated with saltwater systems may not go low enough to produce only small quantities of chlorine; it will still use 5 times more electricity than the ionizer and it will still need salt also uses only a fraction of the electricity used by salt water chlorinators.

Why is ClearBlue only available from a few retailers?
After almost 20 years in the industry, the ClearBlue creators have found the best retailers in the industry who can offer the quality of service we expect.

Will ClearBlue cause staining?
No. Some ionizers or mineral systems on the market can cause the mineral level to go so high that it collects on surfaces which could lead to stains over time. With the precision of the ClearBlue controller and the trade-secret mineral mix, staining has never been a problem in almost 20 years of business.

(FAQ Courtesy of ClearBlue Inc.)