RainForest Blue

The only Liquid BACTERICIDE - ALGAECIDE
That's Chlorine & Bromine FREE

The Solution is Clear:

Say Good-Bye to
 CHLORINE & BROMINE

A Better Way!

No More RUINED HAIR, DRY SKIN, or BURNING EYES!

A Direct Replacement for Chlorine or Bromine Treatment!
RainForest Blue for Spas and Hot Tubs

RainForest Blue is an EPA Registered LIQUID Spa & Hot Tub Bactericide & Algaecide. EPA REG. #70845-1, EPA EST. #70845-FL-001

A Superb Bactericide and Algaecide.

Tests, such as the University of Maryland Report on Rain Forest Blue, have shown that Rain Forest Blue kills cholera, pseudomonas, e-coli, salmonella, shigella (Montezuma's Revenge) and other forms of coliform bacteria as well as yellow, green, brown, and black algae.

Kills bacteria and algae, yet is harmless to people and pets. Unlike regular chemicals, Rain Forest Blue is easy on your hair, skin, and eyes, and is safe and worry free for you and your family.

Soft, Clean Water with NO Chemical Odors and Irritation.

Controls calcium levels (and other hard water minerals) resulting in low maintenance. Calcium buildup causes unsightly stains and damage to your spa/hot tub equipment. Rain Forest Blue removes calcium from your water reducing or eliminating this damage, leaving your water soft and conditioned.

1. What is Rain Forest Blue, and how does it work?
2. What types of pools can be used with Rain Forest Blue?
3. How do I start using Rain Forest Blue?
4. How does Rain Forest Blue reduce calcium and soften water?
5. Do I need to use other chemicals?
6. Can I convert from Baquacil or Soft Swim?

1) What is Rain Forest Blue, and How does it work?

Rain Forest Blue is an EPA Registered pool, spa and hot tub bactericide and algaecide used instead of chlorine and bromine.

Your water becomes non-toxic, non-irritating, non-allergenic, and odor-free. No more ruined hair, ruined swimsuits, dry skin, or red eyes - just nice soft water!

This product is safe and effective without using poisonous chemicals like chlorine or bromine. Rain Forest Blue kills bacteria and algae by disrupting the cell structure and chemical makeup of these organisms, killing them in a safe and mild way that is non-toxic to people or pets!

Through a special manufacturing process, unique copper based ingredients (Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate Solution) are bound with Rain Forest Blue exclusive active agent, "ENVIRON 4H₂O." ENVIRON 4H₂O is a non-toxic proprietary carrier agent "that itself has certain bactericidal properties." see University of Maryland Biotechnology Report

Rain Forest Blue is applied directly into your water introducing a harmless copper ion (Cu2+) that attracts to bacteria (-) and algae (-) organisms disrupting cell structure inhibiting the respiratory and reproductive cycles. The copper ion is harmless to people and pets, but deadly to bacteria and algae. The amount of copper that Rain Forest Blue introduces (0.6-0.8 PPM) is actually less than the drinking water standard for copper in the United States (1.3 PPM).

Copper has been used for hundreds of years as a natural bactericide. Drinking vessels were sometimes made of copper. Copper coins were placed in water barrels to help inhibit stagnation. The American settlers used this technique while crossing the plains, although no one knew why it helped. Rain Forest Blue developed a new way to use a time proven technology.

3) How do I start using Rain Forest Blue?

To start, simply discontinue use of your previous treatments, and start using Rain Forest Blue. Just pour in the correct amount. There is no special preparation or treatment except to run your pump and filter full time for the first couple of days and clean the filter each day. After that, run your pump and filter as you normally would.

4) How does Rain Forest Blue reduce calcium and soften water?

Rain Forest Blue maintains lower calcium levels reducing or eliminating hard water damage leaving your water nice and soft with no odor. Rain Forest Blue binds with calcium (and other dissolved solids and minerals) in water forming a larger calcium particle that is caught by your filter. These particles are then flushed out during normal cleaning. Your water becomes conditioned and soft.

5) Do I need to use other chemicals?

Rain Forest Blue is a primary bactericide and algaecide and is used instead of chlorine and bromine. Except for an occasional shock, it is the only bactericide and algaecide you should need. You shouldn't need other chemicals as a normal maintenance item unless you have source water or other problems. You may use other products with Rain Forest Blue such as shocks or pH adjusters (maintain your pool between 7.2-7.8 pH), but the use of other bactericides, algaecides, stabilizers, metal adjusters, flocculants, or clarifiers are not needed or recommended. Unless you have source water problems, the only thing you should ever need to use in your pool is Rain Forest Blue, along with an occasional shock.

6) Can I convert from Baquacil or Soft Swim?

Yes, however you will need to run your pump and filter 24 hours a day and clean your filter twice a day for up to 4 days (usually 1-2) to completely remove the residuals left by these products. Your water will clear as Rain Forest Blue begins to take control of the water.

User Guide

(Please Read and Follow All Directions)

Thank you for choosing Rain Forest Blue, the finest pool and hot tub/spa bactericide and algaecide available anywhere. Starting Rain Forest Blue is easy. Simply start and continue using Rain Forest Blue according to instructions, and discontinue use of your current treatment methods. You're sure too enjoy the benefits of soft, conditioned water, free of harsh and irritating chemicals like chlorine & bromine.

This User's Guide provides all necessary information and instructions for the use of Rain Forest Blue in spas and hot tubs. IMPORTANT: Please read this User's Guide and all other materials and labels, and follow all instructions, guidelines and recommendations, BEFORE you use this product.

HOT TUB User Guide

1. Start with a clean tub, and new or clean filter cartridge(s).
   
2. Fill spa with fresh water and operate circulating pump.
   
3. Test water hardness with Hardness Test Strips. If below 150 ppm, add Hardness Increaser to attain at least that level.
   
4. Balance the Total Alkalinity and pH; adjust if necessary using Alkalinity Increaser or pH Decreaser. Total Alkalinity should be about 120 ppm and pH between 7.2-7.8. Measure using the Copper 3-way Test Strips.
   
5. Gradually add Rain Forest Blue at the rate of approx. 3 teaspoons (½ oz.) per 250 gallons spa water to obtain a 0.6 - 0.8 PPM copper reading on the test strips. Test weekly, and replenish Rain Forest Blue as necessary to maintain that copper level. Do not overdose.
   
6. Add Sea Klear 4 in 1 Clarifier at startup, and weekly to maintain clear water, per label directions.
   
7. Add Stain and Scale Preventer at the rate of 3 oz. per 500 gallons twice a month.
   
8. Shock water weekly (more often with heavy bather load) with Non-chlorine Shock (MPS) shock at the rate of 1-1/2 TBS per 500 gallons.
   
9. Whenever adding chemicals allow the water to circulate for 1 to 2 hours to reach equilibrium. Then retest with test strips and readjust water balance if necessary.
   

NOTES:

• Drain spa, clean filters and repeat startup procedure with fresh water every 3 to 4 months - more often under heavy bather load.
• Apply chemicals separately - never combine them prior to addition to spa water.
• Keep test strips in a cool, dry place, and tightly capped.
• Read all package directions for additional information and safety precautions.
• Also compatible with chlorine shock (sodium dichlor). Do not use bromine.

Test Kit Instructions & Tips

A copper test kit is needed to maintain the proper level of Rain Forest Blue. The "normal" test kits people have test for chlorine, bromine, pH, calcium hardness, and/or alkalinity.

Determine your spa or hot tub water volume. Follow startup instructions in this guide adding the appropriate amount of Rain Forest Blue. After the pump circulates the water to evenly mix the product (aprox. 20 min.), test the water. Take the sample 12-18" below the surface, following instructions in the test kit. Applied at the correct amount, you should have a reading of 0.8 PPM. You may notice that light reflecting into the color may cause the sample to be somewhat difficult to read. If you read the sample in even light, as in a kitchen, this reflection will be minimized. You should be able to determine the reading.

Each week re-test the water and add the appropriate amount or Rain Forest Blue to achieve a 0.6 - 0.8 PPM copper reading. Store the test kit in a cool dark place. Leaving it in the heat will break down the reagents causing inaccurate readings. Do not freeze.

About Water Chemistry.
There is a lot of different water chemistry out there, and each pool is somewhat different. Water is different all over the country (or world). In addition, there are many pool treatments used such as chlorine, bromine, algaecides, shocks, clarifiers, metal adjusters, alkalinity adjusters, pH adjusters, etc. People introduce things into the pool water such as deodorant, make-up, suntan lotion, hair spray, perfume, body oils, etc. Airborne substances also invade the pool water like bacteria, algae spores, dust, dirt, rain, leaves, pollen, etc. Source water contains all sorts of dissolved minerals and contaminants. This myriad of chemicals and substances causes water chemistry to become extremely varied. Rain Forest Blue conditions and controls the water and is effective in a very short time in almost all cases. Our customer satisfaction is very high evidenced by reorders and referrals from existing customers. If you seem to have a problem with your pool after using Rain Forest Blue, continue use according to instructions. Shock the pool water and run pump and filter constantly. The pool should clear.

About This Product.
Rain Forest Blue is an EPA REGISTERED non-chlorine swimming pool bactericide and algaecide. This great product keeps your pool clean without using toxic halogen chemicals like chlorine and bromine. Tests have shown that Rain Forest Blue kills pseudomonas, E-coli, salmonella, cholera, shigella (Montezuma's Revenge), and other forms of coliform bacteria as well as green, yellow, brown, and black algae as good or better than ANY pool product. Your pool water is soft and clear with no odor. Used as directed, it works as claimed and is perfectly safe for people and pets. Non-toxic and non-irritating, Rain Forest Blue is safe, easy, and effective. Our customers love this product, and we're sure you will too!

The information contained in this User's Guide is, to the best of our knowledge, reliable and accurate. Suggestions contained herein are the opinion of HydroTech Solutions, Inc., dba Rain Forest Blue. You should determine for yourself whether these products are suitable for your application and objectives. Rain Forest Blue and Environ Intercontinental, LTD. makes no guarantee of satisfactory results from reliance upon this Guide and disclaims any liability for any resulting loss or damage. This information is not intended to supercede or conflict with federal, state, or local statues or regulations.

University of Maryland Biotechnology Report

Note: Rain Forest Blue has been tested extensively for its ability to kill bacteria and algae. Quoted below are excerpts and references from one such study performed at the University or Maryland of the effects of Rain Forest Blue on the cholera bacteria strains Vibrio cholerae 01 and 0139 in aqueous systems. The product was tested under the trade name "ENVIRON 4H₂O." References listed at end of report.

_________________

The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Center of Marine Biotechnology

"Effects of ENVIRON 4H₂O [Rain Forest Blue], a Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate Solution, on the Ultrastructure and Survival of Vibrio cholerae01 and 0139, 1994."

"ENVIRON 4H₂O is a copper sulfate pentahydrate which is bound to a non-toxic carrier to keep the copper in solution. The effects of ENVIRON 4H₂O on culturability of Vibrio cholerae 01 and 0139 were determined. The electron micrographs of the Vibrio cells before and after exposure to ENVIRON 4H₂O demonstrated that ENVIRON 4H₂O flocculated the bacterial cells. By conducting scanning electron microscopy, defect in the bacterial cell wall was observed."

"Copper is required for growth of bacteria at low concentrations but will cause a number of toxic cellular effects when intracellular levels reach certain limits (Cooksey, 1993). Copper is a component of certain proteins, notably those involved with respiration (Lontie, 1984). Copper becomes toxic within the cell due to its ability to catalyze adverse chemical side-effects such as generation of free radicals (Simpson et. al., 1988). These active compounds can damage intracellular proteins, lipids, and DNA. In addition, copper can directly bind to proteins, linking to sulhydryl groups on the protein molecules, and inhibit normal enzymatic metabolic functions. While copper is an essential element, it also can cause significant stress for the organism, causing injury and/or bactericidal activity (MacLeod, et. al., 1967; Domek, et. al., 1984)."

"Cupric sulfate is a widely used inorganic salt, long known to be an effective bactericide and algaecide and has been used as a feed additive and therapeutic agent for agricultural applications (Foye, 1977). Under normal environmental conditions, copper ions are bound and immobilized by many different organic and inorganic compounds making copper unavailable to inhibit microbial growth (Tubbing, et. al., 1994)."

"ENVIRON 4H₂O is a suspension of copper sulfate complexed to a carrier molecule that itself has several distinctive properties which aid in the bacteriacidal process. The proprietary carrier molecule is a more effective delivery system for copper sulfate and enhances its ability to control bacterial and algal growth by enhancing its stability in aqueous systems."

"ENVIRON 4H₂O is a product designed to control pathogenic microorganisms in water."

"If the water to be treated is drinking water or natural water that is low in organic matter, pH neutral with a low buffer capacity, the amount of ENVIRON 4H₂O employed can be minimal with a longer exposure time. If the water to be treated is a polluted water, the amount used and exposure time should be large and long enough to destroy pathogenic organisms. This will depend on the degree of how polluted the water, probability of contamination with pathogenic bacteria, purpose for which the water will be used after treatment."

"For drinking water or natural water, 1.0 PPM of ENVIRON 4H₂O and one hour exposure is sufficient to kill Vibrio cholerae 01 and 0139."

"For polluted water where high concentration of contamination is present and large numbers of bacteria are present, the recommended dose of ENVIRON 4H₂O for Vibrio cholerae 01 and 0139 is 25-30 PPM for two hours or 1.0 PPM for more than 24 hours."

END OF REPORT. ENVIRON 4H₂O is sold under the name "Rain Forest Blue."

REFERENCES

Cooksey, D. A. (1993). Copper uptake and resistance in bacteria. Mol. Microbiol. 7(1): 1-5

Domek, M.J., LeChavallier, M. W., Cameron, S.C., and McFeters, G. A. (1984). Evidence for the role of copper in the injury process of coliform bacteria in drinking water. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 48: 289-293.

Foye, W.O. (1977). Anti-microbial activities of mineral elements. In: Microorganisms and Minerals (Weinberg, E.D., Ed.) pp. 387-419. Marcel Dekker. New York, NY.

Lontie, R. (1984). Copper Proteins and Copper Enzymes. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

MacLeod, R.A., Kuo, S.C., and Gelinas, R. (1967) Metabolic injury to bacteria. Metabolic injury induced by distilled water or Cu2+ in the plating diluent. J. Bacteriol 93: 961-969.

Simpson, J.A., Cheeseman, K.H., Smith, S.E. and Dean, R.T. (1988). Free radical generation by copper ions and hydrogen peroxide. Biochem. J. 254: 519-523.

Tubbing. D.M.J., Admiroal, W., and Cleven, Rob F.M.J. (1994). The contribution of complexed copper to the metabolic inhibition of algae and bacteria in synthetic media and river water. Water Research. 28(1): 37-44

Water Chemist's Statement:

1) Product Chemistry: The product incorporates the copper metal in its ionic form, Cu++. This ion is surrounded via partial polar ionic bonds by a specially formulated (environmentally safe) binder which does not allow the copper to react with the minerals found in pool, hot tub and potable water supplies. The product allows the copper to remain in solution until it is metabolized by either bacteria or algae. Once metabolized, the product inhibits the reproductive cycle of the bacteria thereby killing the organism.

2) Remains in Water: Unlike most chlorine and bromine compounds, the product stays in solution and does not gas off no matter what the concentration may be. It is recommended that .6 to 1 PPM of the product be maintained at all times for efficient and effective elimination of bacterial and algae problems.

3) Metallic Content: As mentioned previously, the product contains metallic copper in its ionic form, Cu++. In dosage levels, the copper content in solution is below the allowable levels for drinking water in the United States.

4) PH: Product pH In the container is approximately 1.8-2.0. While this may seem low to many, in use levels there will be no reduction in pH in your pool or hot tub, and you will notice absolutely no skin or eye irritation. The product is odorless.

5) Precipitation of Dissolved Solids: The product binds with calcium and other dissolved solids and other minerals in pool and hot tub water precipitating them out of solution by filtration.

6) As with all products, and I mean all, bacterial strains can become immune to any type of biocide. For this reason, I recommend applying a shock treatment to any pool, hot tub or spa, from time to time in order to prevent bacterial immunity, but a constant residual of chlorine or bromine is not needed in order for the product to work effectively.- Ft. Myers, FL..

Rain Forest Blue. EPA Registered Non-Chlorine, Non-Bromine Pool and Spa Bacteriacide and Algaecide. Registration #70845-1, Establishment #70745-FL-001