Q. How do Plation Floats purify water?
A. Plation floats contain a series of ceramic balls coated in colloidal silver. The silver colloid content of the floats provides the purification mechanism. The antibacterial properties of Silver have been known and used for centuries. Records show the Phoenicians used silver vessels to keep water, wine and vinegar pure during long voyages. The American pioneers travelling west used silver and copper coins in their water barrels to keep the water clean.  “Being born with a silver spoon in his mouth" is as much a reference to health as it is to wealth as it is said that babies fed with a silver spoon were healthier. Today silver is used in many health-care products - see >>

Q. What is the difference between a PNS, PNK and PM floats?
A. Plation floats are supplied in four different formats called PNS, PNK, PM and JC and are designed to maintain the quality of tank stored drinking water to keep it clean and safe.

PNS Floats (25mm wide) hold the silver colloidal balls in a flexible netting bag so they it can be fed into a narrow filler cap and inlet pipe of a fresh water tank in boats, barges and caravans. PNS Floats are designed to maintain the quality of drinking water, keeping stored in freshwater tanks clean and safe.

PNK Floats are similar to the PNS Floats, retaining the silver colloidal ceramic balls in a net bag. But the PNK floats are wider and designed for tank capacities - from 150 to 750 litres (32mm) and larger tanks of 1000 litres to 5000 litres (55mm), such as those used for Rainwater Harvesting.

PM Floats, in contrast to PNS and PNK, contain and hold the silver ceramic balls in a ridge plastic casing (32 and 50mm wide casings). PM Floats are more suited for use in drinking water tanks, as used in boats, barges and caravans, with a large access hatch, where the float can be easily placed in the water and retrieved as required.

JC Floats. These are designed and intended for much smaller, portable tanks and storage vessels of up to 20 and 50 litres such as Gerry cans and larger plastic containers.

Q. What bacteria will Plation Floats eliminate?
A. Silver is considered to be a broad-spectrum biocide, with the capacity to eliminate virtually all bacterial growth. In tests, Plation Floats were shown to be effective against pathogenic bacteria such as E-coli and Coliforms, eliminating these in hours. For the elimination of other pathogenic bacteria like Enterococcus and Legionella more time is needed, but Plation Floats will prevent growth. However, because of the variations in the quality and character of water supplies and systems, we cannot provide any guarantees or particular performance figures. We strongly recommend therefore you regularly test your freshwater tank supply.

Q. What are Plation Purification Floats made of?
A. There are four types of Plation Float, the PNS, PNK, PM and JC. They contain ceramic balls coated with colloidal silver. The PNS, PNK and JC Floats hold the balls in a food safe plastic netting, whereas the PM float retains the ceramic balls in a rigid food safe plastic tube. Also included are food safe polystyrene balls to to give the floats buoyancy Each are designed for use in particular types of tank. See above>>>

Q. How often should I change the float?
A. Plation Floats of all sizes and types can provide up to 2 years or more of protection against bacterial pollution. However, it is not possible to provide an exact timing as water systems and supplies vary. Heavily chlorinated water may reduce the effective working life of a float by as much as 12 months. We do advise therefore if used in chlorinated water to check the float after about 12 months. We also strongly advise on regularly testing your freshwater tank supply.

Q. Which size of float should I use?
A. There are various sizes of Floats. Check the suitability on the Tank Calculator and check the size of your freshwater tank before ordering. Always make sure you order a float large enough to purify the maximum volume of the tank and more. For example if the tank is 300 litres you are advised to apply either a PNS-400, PNK-400 or a PM-500 so as to be sure of maximum purification over the full, recommended 2 years. If you are unsure of the volume of your tank you can make a simple calculation here.

Q. Should I use both the Plation filters and Plation Floats?
A. You do not have to use both filters and floats but together they provide optimum purification and protection. With both you will not only have the stable purification and protection of the contents of the freshwater tank, keeping bacteria at bay, but the added filtration of micro contaminants. The Plation In-line Filters absorb chlorine and other inorganic and organic pollutants, improving taste by eliminating odours and discolouration.

In some instances, such as Harvested Rainwater systems where contaminates are more likely to enter the system, we would advise the installation of a Plation Com bi or RainPC and purification floats in freshwater storage tanks - click here for more information.

Q. What difference should I notice in the water?
A. Water from a potable, freshwater storage tank can quickly build up bacterial growth, which gives the water a particularly unpleasant taste and odour. If you own a boat, barge or caravan with such a tank you may be familiar with the problem. Plation removes that smell and taste by filtering and by added silver ions, which simply eliminate the potential for bacterial growth. You will quickly notice the absence of any taste or odour from the water. If you are concerned check the quality of the water by running a simple test, using our test kit available from the online shop.

Q. How often should I clean my potable, freshwater tank?
A. The use of Plation products reduces the need to clean and chemically disinfect your water tank and system. However, we advise the thorough cleaning of the system and tank, using a suitable chemical disinfectant prior to the introduction of Plation. Older systems may have built-up bio film coatings on the inside of pipes, which is difficult to remove. You may consider, as a precautionary action, to remove and replace older pipe work and system parts to ensure that bacterial growth is minimised.