According to the manufacturer, the Aqua-Rex (shown above) emits radio waves thru antenna wires that loop around an incoming water supply pipe (shown below), and the radio waves modify the iron (Fe) molecules in the water in such a way that they attract the scale-forming particles of hard water to attach (nucleate) to the iron instead of encrusting the interior surfaces of a home’s plumbing system. The very fine particles are then carried away in the water flow.

    That’s the theory anyway. It sounds more than a little suspicious, but the system was tested by a professional lab to a protocol for scale removal adopted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and found to reduce scale accumulation by 83%. A recent issue of PM Engineer magazine featured those test results and, although it seems too good to be true, apparently it is. The customer reviews of the device on amazon.com were split between “it’s wonderful” and “useless, don’t buy it.” 

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about PLUMBING PIPES:

• How can I protect my pipes to keep them from bursting during a hard winter freeze in North Florida?

• Can galvanized steel pipe still be used for new water lines in a house? 

• How can I tell if I have cast iron pipes in my house? 

• Why can't a sanitary tee be used for a horizontal-to-horizontal drain pipe connection? 

• Is a washing machine drain hose required to be secured at the standpipe?

• What are the abandoned pipes sticking out of the wall in my house?  

• What are the code requirements for plumbing vent terminations?

• What are the code requirements for layout of drain piping under sinks?

• What causes a gurgling sound when a bathtub or sink drains? 

• What is a "combination waste and vent" in a plumbing system? 

• What is a building trap?  

• What is a galvanized nipple?

• What are the pipes sticking out near my water valves?

• How do you accurately find a broken water pipe leak under the floor slab?

• What is the difference between water pipe and sewage (waste) pipe? 

• Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? 

• Is a hot water faucet handle required to be on the left? 

• What is a dielectric union? 

• What's that powdery crust on the pipe connections at the water heater? 

   Visit our PLUMBING page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.