Does Lotus Clean work without a cartridge filter?
Answer:
Lotus Clean basically also works with sand filters. EGO3 filters can also be used under certain conditions. However, there are some things to consider with these two filter systems..
Use of Lotus Clean with a sand filter system
In general, there is nothing to be said against a sand filter. However, the sand filter should also be cleaned and backwashed regularly.
Lotus Clean Basic encapsulates foreign substances on a molecular level. These encapsulated foreign substances end up in the filter. If they are not removed there regularly, they can start to rot and the filter performance is reduced by the contamination. The result can be unpleasant smelling and cloudy water.
It is highly recommended to close the valves and add Shock to the sand filter before backwashing. We recommend about 25 ml Ultrashock per litre filter volume here. The UltraShock should remain there for at least 12 hours before starting the backwash.
Lotus Clean Shock is a highly effective oxidant that also destroys biofilms quickly and effectively. Therefore it is well suited for cleaning sand filters.
Use of Lotus Clean with EGO3 filters
EGO3 filters can only be used with Lotus Clean to a limited extent. These filters are filter balls that are used instead of the normal filters.The reason for this is as follows: If you operate a whirlpool with chlorine or bromine, the water is purified exclusively by oxidation. This means that the fats and oils from the skin and cosmetics that end up in the water are chemically broken down. They are broken down to such an extent that they are no longer retained by the filters. The filters are then only there to retain larger contaminants such as dander, hair or leaves. When using chlorine or bromine, the EGO3 filters are probably good and sufficient.
The manufacturer recommends cleaning these EGO3 filters with a water jet. However, in our view, this creates a fundamental problem: fats and oils settle in the filter balls, on which bacteria settle. These bacteria in turn form a biofilm by multiplying strongly without being killed by disinfectants such as chlorine, bromine or active oxygen. The biofilm in turn is partially torn off by the pump pressure during filtration and bacteria are distributed throughout the water. The manufacturer says that the filter wadding is mixed with silver and therefore remains germ-free. We cannot judge whether this works in practice.
In branded filters with a cleaning fleece, the filters can be placed in a cleaning solution. This cleaning solution is designed to remove fats, oils and cosmetics from the filters and destroy biofilm. After the filters have been in the cleaning solution for at least one night, they are rinsed out with a special cleaning spray. This guarantees that there is no dirt, biofilm or bacteria in the filter. The EGO3 filters cannot be cleaned in this way. It is said that the filters can be cleaned in the washing machine. We cannot judge the result of this cleaning.
The Lotus Clean system care
When using the Lotus Clean system care, two cleaning principles are used in parallelt:
1) The encapsulation of dirt - by Lotus Clean Basic. This prevents bacteria from settling on it and the dirt can be filtered out.
2) Oxidation - through Lotus Clean Shock. This system promises a double security. If one system fails, you have the other system that works.In general one can say that about 50 % to 70 % of the dirt is encapsulated and removed from the water via the filters. This also explains why good filtration is so extremely important. The dirt must be removed from the filters and this can only be done with proper filter cleaning. This is the reason why the EGO3 filters are only conditionally suitable for Lotus Clean. If you completely renew the EGO3 pads every 2 to 3 weeks, the EGO3 system would work very well. If these pads are to be used for a year, as recommended by the manufacturer, then this can be problematic from our point of view.
What can you do now?
1) For 3 months, reduce the amount of Lotus Clean to one third of the amount recommended in the instructions. At the same time, triple the amount of Lotus Clean Shock. Make sure that the level of Shock in the water is always between 0.6 b and 1.5 mg/l. This will reduce the cloudiness in the water. This will oxidise and remove the turbidity over time.
2) Solve the filter problem and use branded fleece filters from Magnum, Darlly or Pleatco. Or use the EGO3 filter balls as a disposable product and replace them all.