Chemicals

CHLORINE

The most important chemical to watch is chlorine. You need to keep chlorine between 1 and 4 PPM (parts per million) on your test strips or kit. Water can be kept clear in four ways.

l.  Use chlorine tablets in an automatic chlorinator.

2.  Keep approximately 2 chlorine tablets in the skimmer basket at all times (approximately 2 to 6 per week) If you turn the pump/filter off, remove the tablets from the skimmer as it will create heavy chlorine buildup in the skimmer.

3.  Add liquid chlorine to the pool either through the skimmer or in front of the return fittings. Be careful not to splash chlorine on the liner and make sure that the chlorine gets circulated properly to minimize fading of liner.

4.  Add granular chlorine through the skimmer or mix up in a bucket with warm water and add through skimmer.

Note: Different types of chlorine will affect pH. Liquid chlorine will increase pH,

Whereas granular (DiChlor) chlorine has no effect, and chlorine tablets (TriChlor)

Will slightly decrease pH.

With all systems:

We recommend running the pump/filter 24 hours per day.

Chlorine should be tested twice a week.

If chlorine is too low, check pH and add appropriate form of chlorine (liquid or granular) to raise the count quickly, or add more tablets to the skimmer, or raise the setting on the automatic chlorinator.

If chlorine is too high, let the pump/filter run and DO NOT add chlorine until the level returns to normal.

The warmer the water temperature and the heavier the swimming load, the more chlorine you will use.

With liquid or granular chlorine:

You should stay out of the water for 24 hours so that the higher level of chlorine does not fade your swimming suit and irritate your eyes and skin.

OXY SHOCK

(Sodium Persulfate)

TO HELP CONTROL CHLORINE IN THE WATER

Chlorine in the water becomes inactive, so you have to super oxidize or super chlorinate the water to keep the chlorine active. We recommend Oxy Shock because it will not fade the liner, it will control the chlorine odor and you may swim in the pool immediately. Oxy Shock also allows a lower chlorine count because it reactivates chlorine already in the pool instead of adding new chlorine. OXY SHOCK DOES NOT RAISE CHLORINE. You should add oxy shock to the pool through the skimmer every 2 weeks (2 to 5 lbs. depending on pool size).

PH and ALKALINITY

pH and alkalinity should be tested at least twice a month. Once adjusted properly, they will help keep your water balanced so your chlorinating system works efficiently. Improperly balanced pH and alkalinity will irritate your eyes and skin. Low pH and alkalinity are acidic and will cause erosion to the metals in your pump, filter and heater. pH and alkalinity are better high than low.

To raise pH, add baking soda, soda ash or pH up (sodium carbonate).

To raise alkalinity, add alkalinity up (sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

To lower pH or alkalinity, add Sodium Bisulfate or Muriatic Acid.

pH should maintain a reading between 7.2 and 7.6 on your test strips or kit.

Alkalinity should maintain a reading between 80 and 120 PPM on your test strips.

Generally, pH and alkalinity go hand in hand.

Rain may lower pH in the pool because it can be acidic. It’s a good idea to monitor pH after a heavy rainfall.

Avoid using softened water to fill the pool because it can be corrosive.

ALGAE GROWTH

If you keep your chlorine count between 1 and 4 PPM, oxidize every two weeks, maintain pH and alkalinity, and run the pump/filter 24 hours a day, algae should not grow. However, it may be a good idea to add a quart of algaecide once a month as a preventative measure. Certain factors may make it easier for algae to grow such as:

Improper pool chemistry – high water temperatures – heavy swimming load – rain and fertilizer contamination in the pool. If algae becomes present, bring in a water sample and we will provide you with the proper procedures.

METALS AND MINERALS

If you have well water, or if the water is known to have a high mineral content, it is a good idea to use Metal Out, Stain and Scale remover, or a Sequestering Compound to help reduce these metals in your pool. If you notice white face plates or steps in the pool turning yellow, it is usually a good indication that there is a high concentration of metals or iron in the pool, which will eventually stain the liner.