{"product_id":"natural-alkalinize-ionizer-mineralizer-and-oxidation-inline-cartridge","title":"Natural (Alkalinize) Ionizer, Mineralizer and Oxidation Inline Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReverse osmosis makes water remarkably clean, and also remarkably bare.\u003c\/strong\u003e The membrane strips out calcium, magnesium and the other minerals that give water its body, so RO water can taste flat and run slightly acidic. This inline cartridge puts minerals back.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Natural (Alkalinize) Ionizer, Mineralizer and Oxidation Inline Cartridge, part CQE-RC-04054, is filled with a blend of calcite and magnesium oxide. As water flows through, the blend slowly dissolves, adding calcium and magnesium, raising the pH and making the water less corrosive. Its label says it plainly: adds minerals and enhances alkalinity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdds calcium and magnesium\u003c\/strong\u003e back to purified water from a natural carbonate mineral blend\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRaises pH and alkalinity,\u003c\/strong\u003e so water is less acidic and less corrosive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBetter-tasting RO water:\u003c\/strong\u003e restores the mineral body that purified water lacks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInline and sealed:\u003c\/strong\u003e plumbed on the water line with threaded connectors, replaced as one piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn optional stage\u003c\/strong\u003e listed for Crystal Quest under-sink RO systems, the Countertop RO system and water coolers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat you are looking at\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA white, sealed inline cartridge with an elbow connector at each end. The label reads \"Crystal Quest Natural (Alkalizer) Ionizer, Mineralizer and Oxidation Inline Cartridge\" and shows the flow arrow, part number, operating limits and nine numbered replacement steps. Inside, the media is packed in layers between the inlet and outlet, as the cutaway diagram in the photos shows.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow a carbonate remineralizer works\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhy RO water runs acidic\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn RO membrane holds back dissolved minerals, but dissolved carbon dioxide passes straight through it. In water, carbon dioxide forms a weak acid, carbonic acid. With the minerals gone, nothing is left to buffer that acid, so purified water usually leaves the membrane slightly acidic and \"hungry\" for minerals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eThe reaction inside the cartridge\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalcite and magnesium oxide react with that carbonic acid. Each reaction uses up acid and releases calcium or magnesium ions plus bicarbonate into the water. Bicarbonate is the main form of alkalinity in drinking water: it is what lets water neutralize acid and hold a steady pH. So one gentle reaction does three jobs at once: adds minerals, consumes acidity and builds buffering capacity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eSelf-limiting by nature\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eCarbonate minerals dissolve fastest when water is most acidic and slow down as the water approaches balance. That is why a natural mineral stage raises pH gradually rather than overshooting, and why the media is used up slowly over time instead of all at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat it reduces\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary targets:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow pH and acidity in purified water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe corrosiveness of acidic water toward metal plumbing and fixtures downstream\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso reduced:\u003c\/strong\u003e the flat taste of purified water. The cartridge does this by adding calcium and magnesium from a natural carbonate mineral blend, plus bicarbonate alkalinity, which gives the water a higher pH, more buffering and a rounder taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot designed to treat:\u003c\/strong\u003e contaminants. Chlorine, chemicals, metals, fluoride and dissolved solids are handled by the other stages in your system, such as the RO membrane, carbon and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/crystalquest.com\/products\/smart-filter-cartridge\"\u003eSMART cartridges\u003c\/a\u003e. It is also not an electric water ionizer: there are no electrodes and no power, only natural minerals dissolving into the water. Use it only on water that is microbiologically safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Crystal Quest\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural minerals, nothing added by machine.\u003c\/strong\u003e The pH rise comes from calcite and magnesium oxide dissolving, the same chemistry that gives spring water its minerals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for our systems.\u003c\/strong\u003e Crystal Quest lists this cartridge as the optional mineralizing stage for its under-sink RO, countertop RO and water cooler systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrinted guidance on every cartridge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Flow direction, operating limits and replacement steps are on the label.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOver 1,000,000 people served since 1994.\u003c\/strong\u003e Crystal Quest builds under ISO 9001 quality management, has made water filtration in the USA for over 30 years and offers lifetime support by phone, email or chat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhere it fits\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThunder under-sink RO systems:\u003c\/strong\u003e listed as the optional remineralizer, part CQE-RC-04054, in the Thunder manual and on Thunder system pages such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/crystalquest.com\/products\/reverse-osmosis-under-sink-water-filter-1000c\"\u003eThunder 1000C\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/crystalquest.com\/products\/countertop-reverse-osmosis-water-filters\"\u003eCountertop Reverse Osmosis System\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e listed as its optional remineralizer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBottleless water coolers:\u003c\/strong\u003e listed as an optional cartridge in the water cooler manual.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e we recommend installing it after the RO membrane, where the water has been stripped of minerals, so it remineralizes purified water and adds no load to the membrane. Follow your system's manual for the exact position.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeed the same mineral treatment in a standard drop-in housing instead of an inline cartridge? See the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/crystalquest.com\/products\/natural-alkalinize-ionizer-mineralizer-and-oxidation-cartridges\"\u003edrop-in Natural (Alkalinize) Ionizer, Mineralizer and Oxidation Cartridges\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"cq-product-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does it add to the water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalcium and magnesium from a naturally occurring carbonate mineral blend, plus bicarbonate alkalinity. Together they raise pH and make the water less corrosive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it remove contaminants?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a mineralizing stage that adds minerals. Contaminant reduction comes from the system's other stages, such as the RO membrane and carbon or SMART cartridges.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this an electric alkaline water ionizer?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It has no electrodes and needs no power. It raises pH naturally as carbonate minerals dissolve into the water as ions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it used with RO systems?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Crystal Quest lists it as the optional remineralizer for its Thunder under-sink RO systems and Countertop RO system, and as an optional cartridge for its water coolers. We recommend placing it after the RO membrane.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it make my water hard?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt adds a modest amount of calcium and magnesium back to purified water, which is what gives mineral water its taste. It is meant for RO and other low-mineral water, not for water that is already hard.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often should I replace it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollow your RO or cooler manual. The media dissolves gradually as it works, so replace it when the water starts to taste flat again. Actual life depends on feed water quality, system configuration and usage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from the drop-in alkalizer cartridges?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth use mineral media to raise pH. This one is a sealed inline cartridge plumbed on the water line for RO systems and coolers; the drop-in version fits standard filter housings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n###\n\u003ch3\u003ePublished cartridge specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSKU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003eCQE-RC-04054\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003eInline mineralizing cartridge, calcite and magnesium oxide blend\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedia and function\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/eagle-ionizer-media\"\u003eAcid Neutralizing\/pH Enhancing mix\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTreatment method\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGradual mineral dissolution: neutralizes acidity, adds calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate alkalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEffect\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaises pH and alkalinity; water less corrosive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContaminant removal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone (mineralizing stage)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSealed inline cartridge, threaded elbow connector at each end, flow arrow on label\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLabel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdds minerals and enhances alkalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperating Specifications (cartridge label)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e• Water supply\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCold water only; microbiologically safe water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Use only on water that is microbiologically safe. Flush about 15 minutes before first use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Cartridge color is subject to change without notice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Crystal Quest Water Filters","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":67806743724120,"sku":"CQE-RC-04054","price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 2","offer_id":67806743756888,"sku":"CQE-RC-04054-2PK","price":138.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pack of 4","offer_id":67806743789656,"sku":"CQE-RC-04054-4PK","price":276.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0862\/1250\/9784\/files\/natural-alkalinize-ionizer-mineralizer-and-oxidation-inline-cartridge-crystal-quest-water-filter-cartridges-1263598081.webp?v=1792488641","url":"https:\/\/filtervilla.com\/products\/natural-alkalinize-ionizer-mineralizer-and-oxidation-inline-cartridge","provider":"Filter Villa","version":"1.0","type":"link"}