Antunes Vizion Water Filtration: Install and Cartridge Changes

The Antunes Vizion line and what the model names mean

Antunes builds its Vizion line as the VZN 500 series of ultrafiltration systems, in horizontal and vertical panel formats. The owner's manual covers the horizontal VZN-521H, VZN-521HC, VZN-521HE, VZN-541H, VZN-541HC and VZN-541HE families and the vertical VZN-541V, VZN-541VC and VZN-541VE families. The catalogue also carries stand-alone UFL ultrafiltration cartridges: the UFL-410 at 4 gallons per minute, the UFL-520 at 7.9 gallons per minute and the UFL-540 at 15 gallons per minute.

The wider Antunes water line includes reverse osmosis systems (AQ-RO-100, AQ-RO-600, AQ-RO-HC, DMS-500, DMS-800, DMS-1500), water softeners (WSS-0618-ENC, WSS-0948, WSS-1019-H, WSS-1252), TAC systems (TAC-01, TAC-02, TAC-05), the SI-XL scale inhibitor, the HRS-200 hardness reduction system for espresso and steam equipment, WFE iron filters, and the PF-10 and PF-20 prefilters along with a backwashing prefilter.

• H marks a horizontal system and V a vertical system, as the model names state.
• C marks a chloramine cartridge, as on the VZN-521HC and VZN-541VC.
• E marks an extended life carbon cartridge, as on the VZN-521HE and VZN-541VE.
• T5 marks a TAC cartridge fitted beside the carbon element, as on the VZN-521H-T5 and VZN-541VC-T5.

How a Vizion system works

The owner's manual describes the VZN system as a filtration system that uses proprietary multi-bore hollow fibre membranes as well as a carbon element. In Normal Operation Mode, water enters the inlet, flows through the ultrafilter and leaves the permeate outlet as usable product water. In Flush Mode, the drain valve opens and incoming water flushes debris off the membrane wall; the drain valve is powered only during a flush.

The Universal Pulse Controller runs the flush cycle on a set interval. Pressing the FLUSH button opens the drain valve for 10 seconds while the flush LED flashes, and a manual flush does not change the interval setting. The manual warns against unplugging the unit during Flush Mode, because water is still filtered but the system will not flush, which can plug the ultrafilter prematurely and reduce filter life.

The manual states the system is tested and certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53, covering particulate reduction Class I, cyst reduction and turbidity reduction, with chlorine reduction certified only on the extended life carbon models. The performance data sheet lists rated service flows of 7.7 gpm on those models, 7.9 gpm on the VZN-521H and VZN-521HC families and 13 gpm on the VZN-541V, VZN-541VC, VZN-541H and VZN-541HC families, plus a 500,000 gallon chlorine reduction capacity on the extended life models.

Installation: mounting, plumbing and electrical

The system must be mounted with the supplied bracket, secured into wall studs with heavy-duty hardware rated for 120 lb or more; the hardware is not supplied. The manual's access clearances are 23 inches left or right for the VZN-521H and VZN-521HC, 43 inches left or right for the VZN-541H and VZN-541HC, and 43 inches above or below for the VZN-541V and VZN-541VC. Mount near, but not above, an electrical outlet, near a drain, and upstream of all consumable water filtration processes.

The manual's plumbing limits are cold water only, maximum operating pressure 100 psig (690 kPa), maximum trans membrane pressure 45 psi, water temperature between 40 and 100°F (4 and 38°C), and pH between 3 and 10. If inlet pressure is below 50 psig (345 kPa), it recommends a booster system with an outlet of 60 to 100 psig maximum. The inlet, outlet and drain are 3/4 inch FNPT, the rinse outlet takes a 3/4 inch garden hose or 3/4 inch FNPT, and the inlet plumbing must be flushed clear of debris before connecting.

The drain line must be short, slope downward without kinks, and be secured at least 2 inches above the drain as an air gap; the drain must handle the flush flow, listed at up to 8 gpm for models such as the VZN-521H and VZN-541VE and up to 15 gpm for models such as the VZN-541V and VZN-541H. Electrical ratings are 100 to 240 volts, 10 watts, 0.08 amps, 50/60 Hz, and the manual requires a ground fault circuit interrupter, an unswitched outlet, no extension cord, and a bonding jumper across the inlet and outlet pipes on metallic plumbing. A qualified, licensed plumber must make all connections to the local plumbing code. The video Installing Your Antunes Water VZN Ultrafiltration System shows the manufacturer's installation steps.

Start-up: rinsing, sanitizing and the first carbon rinse

The ultrafilter cartridge comes pre-installed and must be rinsed to drain before first use to remove air and storage solution, with the carbon element and TAC cartridge still out of the system. Direct the rinse ball valve to a drain, close the outlet and inlet ball valves, open the rinse ball valve and slowly turn on the supply. Press FLUSH six times, run full flow from the rinse ball valve for at least 15 minutes, let the system sit 15 minutes, rinse for 15 more minutes and press FLUSH six more times, then open the closest downstream tap and run the outlet for five minutes. The manual says not to consume this water.

To sanitize the plumbing, the manual calls for one ounce (30 ml) of unscented liquid chlorine bleach at 5.25 to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite, or a Kay-5 solution made by dissolving a 1 oz packet in 2 oz (60 ml) of clean warm water, which gives 60 to 100 ppm of chlorine. Remove the carbon element and TAC cartridge first, let the sanitizer stand in the system for at least 15 minutes, then flush it out; the sanitizing kit is not supplied.

The carbon element is then installed and rinsed: hand tighten the housing plus 1/8 turn with the filter wrench, leaving a gap of about 3/32 inch (2.4 mm), and flush to drain for at least 5 minutes, or at least 10 minutes on the VZN-521HC-T5, VZN-541HC-T5 and VZN-541VC-T5. On T5 systems, the TAC cartridge goes in after the carbon rinse, arrow pointing up, followed by a flush of at least 5 minutes.

Replacing the carbon element and the ultrafilter

To change the carbon element, close the inlet and outlet ball valves and open the rinse ball valve until the permeate tank is empty, then remove the housing and discard the old element. Inspect the O-rings and replace any that are cracked, twisted or missing, lubricate them with a food-grade lubricant, and keep the gasket in the recessed grooves on both ends of the new element. Refit the housing hand tight plus 1/8 turn, direct the rinse valve to a drain, and flush the new element for at least 5 minutes, or 10 minutes on the HC-T5 models, before reinstalling the TAC cartridge and opening the outlet valve. The video Replacing the Carbon Element on Your Antunes Water VZN Ultrafiltration System shows the manufacturer's procedure.

The manual's suggested replacement period for the ultrafilter cartridge is approximately 5 to 7 years, dependent on water quality, and a new carbon element and TAC cartridge always follow an ultrafilter change. Close both ball valves and press FLUSH several times to empty the permeate tank, remove the carbon and TAC elements, undo an end cap clamp, and disconnect the 180-degree bent tubing at the tee by pushing the collet against the fitting. Inspect the O-rings for nicks or cuts, record the new cartridge's serial number engraved on the outer tube, and lubricate all O-rings with a food-grade silicone lubricant before seating the cartridge, end cap and clamps. The video Replacing the Ultrafilter on Your Antunes Water VZN Ultrafiltration System shows the manufacturer's steps.

Reattach the tubing, then repeat the ultrafilter rinse, sanitization and carbon rinse procedures before repressurizing, opening the outlet ball valve before the inlet. The TAC cartridge change follows the same pattern: drain down, inspect and lubricate the O-rings, install with the arrow pointing up and the end seal gasket in the recessed groove on the top end, and rinse for at least 5 minutes.

Ongoing care: flush intervals and six-month tasks

The system and downstream plumbing should be sanitized every six months, and the permeate tank air pre-charge checked at the same time. The pre-charge is checked only at zero system pressure with the tank fully drained, using a 5 to 40 psi gauge with a Schrader valve connection; the tank should read 28 to 31 PSI. If water comes out of the air valve, the bladder has ruptured and the tank needs replacing.

The flush interval can be changed on the controller, though the manual cautions that this can plug the ultrafilter prematurely and recommends consulting the factory. Its chart lists 15, 30 and 45 minute and 1, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hour intervals, selected by holding buttons A to D for 5 or 10 seconds. To reset the timer, unplug the supply, wait 5 seconds and plug it back in.

The troubleshooting table points to the usual culprits: no water usually means a closed ball valve, an open rinse valve, a stuck drain valve, a flush in progress or a plugged cartridge; bad taste points to a spent carbon element, storage solution not fully rinsed out, or biological growth in the pipes; and leaks at the ultrafilter ends or the carbon and TAC bowls usually mean O-rings that are unlubricated, cut or twisted, or clamps that are not secured.

The rest of the Antunes water line, and service

For reverse osmosis, the line includes the AQ-RO-100, AQ-RO-600 and AQ-RO-HC and the DMS-500, DMS-800 and DMS-1500. The video Reverse Osmosis RO System Installation covers the manufacturer's RO installation steps, and AQ-RO-100 - Reverse Osmosis Preventative Maintenance covers its upkeep; that video's description notes the AQ-RO-100 uses a 3-stage treatment process that filters sediment and chemical contaminants. Each model's manual gives its own steps.

Softening is covered by the WSS-0618-ENC point-of-use unit, the WSS-0948 and WSS-1252 point-of-entry units and the WSS-1019-H hot water softener, and the video Water Softener System Installation covers the manufacturer's softener installation. The TAC-01, TAC-02 and TAC-05 systems are listed at 1, 2 and 5 gallons per minute with lime reduction of 96 to 98 percent. Ask Norpex about matching a model to your water.

For repairs, the owner's manual says the equipment should be serviced by qualified personnel only, so service goes through the manufacturer's authorized service network.

Videos from the maker

Common questions