Pool Maintenance

 Adjusting Water Chemisty

1. How many water chemistry levels are there to adjust in my pool water?

 - there are 5.  Alkalinity, pH, Hardness, Chlorine, and Cyanuric Acid

2. What Order do I adjust these levels?

- The proper way to adjust these levels are first alkalinity, second pH, third water hardness.  Chlorine and Cyanuric acid will be adjusted as needed and are to be done only once the rest of your water chemistry is balanced

Alkalinity

1. How do I adjust my pools alkalinity?

- To adjust alkalinity in your pool water, you are going to use sodium bicarbonate.

2. How do I add Sodium Bicarbonate?

- To add, you simply pour directly into the pool, broadcasting around pool surface.  

3. How long do i run my filter to adjust the level

- Run the filter for 2 hours

4. I have a bigger pool, and need to add 20 pounds of sodium bicarbonate, do i do it all in one shot?

- No, you want to do about 5 pounds or so at a time.  run the filters in between each dose and retest if possible. this allows for much better circulation and more even water chemistry  

pH

1. How do i adjust my pH up in my pool water?

- To adjust your pH up in your pool, you are going to use sodium carbonate.

2. How do i adjust my pH down in my pool water?

- To adjust your ph down, you are going to use sodium bisulfate.

3. How long do i run my filter to adjust the level

- Run the filter for 2 hours

4. I have a bigger pool, and need to add 5 pounds of sodium bicarbonate, do i do it all in one shot?

- No, you want to do about 1-2 pounds or so at a time.  run the filters in between each dose and retest if possible. this allows for much better circulation and more even water chemistry  

 Water Hardness

1. How do I make my water harder? 

- To adjust your water hardness levels, you will use calcium chloride.

2. How do i add calcium chloride?

- typically available in a granular, you need to add recommended dose to pool by diluting in a bucket of pool water and pouring in the liquid portion only.  if you pour in the deposits in the bottom of the bucket and can cause cloudy water and scaling, so be careful!

Cyanuric Acid

1. What does this level do?

- this level protects your chlorine from the sun, the main reason why your pool may loose chlorine rapidly.  keeping this level stable will make your chlorine work much harder and keep your pool clear

2. How do i add cyanuric Acid?

- typically available in a granular, you need to add recommended dose to pool by diluting in a bucket of pool water and pouring in the liquid portion only.  

PHOSPHATES and NATURAL WATER CHEMISTRY

What are phosphates?

Phosphates (PO4) are food for plants.  When phosphates are present in swimming pool water, even at low concentrations, phosphates can accelerate the growth of algae. The higher the phosphate levels in swimming pool water, the harder it is to control algae growth. More chlorine is needed to maintain control over algae when the phosphate level is too high.

Many different sources can raise phosphate levels in swimming pool water. Most of them are already in or near your pool. Most likely the tap water you use from your backyard hose to fill your pool is loaded with phosphates. Any decaying leaves or other debris in your skimmer or pool will raise phosphate levels. Fertilizers, ground water run off, rainwater, laundry detergents and soaps on our bodies, skin cells and human waste all contain phosphates.

High phosphate levels create conditions in your pool water in which algae blooms thrive. There are three types of algae that can take hold in a pool. Black algae is perhaps the most difficult to kill because of its resistance to chlorine. Green algae will typically be found growing on the bottom and walls of the pool first in greenish-colored patches, but may be found free floating in the water. Yellow algae forms as more a stubborn deposit on the walls of your pool, usually in a shady area. This type of algae is also chlorine resistant and re-infection is common.

When phospahtes are present, algae grows

Phosphates are very persistent.  Phosphates do not break down naturally.  Because of this, phosphate levels in swimming pools can rise fast. Your pool will show symptoms of high phosphate levels such as cloudy green water or slippery and slimy surfaces. You may also notice yellow or green-colored debris in the pool. Poor water quality and excessive chemical use are also indicators of elevated phosphates.

A phosphate-precipitating lanthanum product can be used to eliminate phosphates from your pool. A phosphate removal product works by binding the phosphates into a solid form that can then be filtered out by your pool filter. Using phosphate removers as a maintenance product is helpful for reducing the need for chlorine shock treatments, reducing filter run-time and reducing algae build-up.

Keep your pool water properly maintained and chemically balanced for the best defense against elevated phosphate levels. Organic decomposition is one of the biggest issues in raising phosphate levels in swimming pools. Cleaning out the skimmer basket daily and showering off soaps, perfumes and dead skin cells before you enter the pool will help keep phosphate levels lower.   Prevent water run-off from your lawn and flowerbeds from entering the pool where phosphate-rich fertilizers can contaminate the water.

Application Rates

One quart of Phosphate Remover 3,000 ppb of phosphates in 10,000 gallons of pool water

 2,250 ppb of phosphates in 15,000 gallons of pool water

 1,500 ppb of phosphates in 20,000 gallons of pool water

 750    ppb of phosphates in 40,000 gallons of pool water

1 oz of Phosphate Removerwill remove:

94 ppb of phosphates in 10,000 Gallons of pool water

71 ppb of phosphates in 15,000 Gallons of pool water

47 ppb of phosphates in 20,000 Gallons of pool water

23 ppb of phosphates in 40,000 Gallons of pool water

For Optimum Results

Dilute the amount of product needed with one gallon of pool water for every 10,000 gallons to be treated.

Pour evenly over pool surface and allow product to become thoroughly mixed into water. Turn off pool filter while product works throughout the pool water.

After 12 to 24 hours, vacuum the cloudy phosphates to waste. Then restart the pool filter to remove what remains.

It is extremely important to monitor and maintain normal back pressure levels in the pool filter.

Chlorine above 6ppm may counteract Phosphate Remover