| As a pool owner, I have a pretty good idea of how to keep my pool water clean. But frankly, I'm not sure I'm doing it right. How can this website help me? | Most pool owners don't feel realty confident about the way they maintain their pools. That's why we have created this website. |
| But some of my questions are pretty basic? | Its the people who don't ask questions that find themselves with a problem. A swimming pool is a complicated piece of equipment about which the average person may not know all the answers. |
| What is a properly maintained pool? | A pool that is visually and biologically clean. |
| I can tell if it is visually clean, but what about biologically clean? | By using a test kit and measuring the chlorine and pH levels. This is simple and we will be happy to show you how to do this. By maintaining the proper chlorine level bacteria and algae will be killed and your pool kept biologically safe. |
| Why is it necessary for me to use chlorine in the pool? Ihave a filtration plant. Doesn't this do the job just as well as chlorine? | No the filter is only designed to remove the solids out of the water. Bacteria will pass through the filter and Algae will be caught in the filter. The Algae will clog the filter very quickly. It is important to treat the pool with chlorine first. this will change the state of the bacteria and algae into solid form which the filter is designed for. |
| I know what chlorine is but what is pH? | pH is a method of measuring the acidity and alkalinity level of water. Unless the water in the pool is within a certain pH range the chlorine won't chemically interact with the bacteria and algae it's supposed to kill. |
| So pH is important? | Yes PH is very important. The ideal pH of a pool is 7.8 to 8.2 which is slightly alkaline. At this pH the chlorine level is maintained for a longer period, resulting in less chlorine being required, therefore saving in costs. The most satisfactory method of maintaining pH at this level is to use Sodium Bicarbonate 1 kilo per (5000 litres) 1000 gallons. This will result in pH 7.8 to 8.0 and give a good total alkalinity for most of the season. Soda Ash can be used for raising pH but will only keep pool at a satisfactory pH for a short period as it has no buffering action what so ever Soda Ash can be used with Sodium Bicarbonate to keep pH between 8.0 to 8.2. |
| Where do I get these chemicals from? | We keep these in stock, Sodium Bicarbonate or Soda Ash. |
| Now that the pH in the pool is correct what is the next procedure? | Chlorine should be added. this is to maintain the pool in a free residual chlorine level of 1.0 to 2.0. |
| What does free residual chlorine actually mean? | This means the amount of chlorine needed to kill the algae and bacteria which may be present in the pool. |
| How can I tell that I have enough free chlorine in my pool? | By using your test kit which measures the amount of chlorine in the pool. We have these kits, they are simple and easy to use. |
| Is there more than one different type of chlorine? | In the Swimchem range there are 3 types of chlorine.
Soluble Chlorine dichloro-isocyanurate. 55% available Chlorine 100% Soluble.
Calcium Hypochlorite. 65% available Chlorine.
Tri-chloro-isocyanurate. Tablets 200g. 90% available Chlorine.
Soluble Chlorine. This chlorine breaks down into chlorine and cyanuric acid, it has a long acting effect and maintains a pool for up to 48 hours. It. is also 100% Soluble and should be added directly to the pool, with out fear of leaving any residue. Also it is the Chlorine to use in Spa pools (15 grams of Trichloro tablets in a floating dispenser lasts up to 5 days). Generally this is the most economical and convenient chlorine to use. Soluble Chlorine is not suitable for shock dosing. Calcium Hypochlorite. Available in granules this should be dissolved in a bucket of lukewarm water and allowed to stand for 10-20 minutes. The liquid should then be poured into the pool and the residue disposed of. Calcium Hypochlorite is the only Chlorine to use for Shock closing as it gives high levels of Chlorine very quickly. Trichloro Tablets 200g. These slow dissolving tablets are more suitable for pools 5000 gallons or more. One tablet lasting up to 5 days. They can be placed in the skimmer or a floating dispenser. These are very useful if one is going away on holiday. |
| Should I use an Algaecide as well as Chlorine? | Yes an Algaecide should be used Summer and Winter for crystal clear water. Special Algaecide. An advanced formulation in the Swimchem range; effective against black and green algae. For use with all chlorine pools. Not to be used with Bacquacil. |
| How important is Cyanuric Acid? | Very as it stops the Ultra violet light from the sun dissipating the Chlorine quickly. Calcium Hypochlorite can be dissipated completely in two hours in bright sunlight. Cyanuric acid at the level of 50-60ppm stabilizes Chlorine and allows it to last for up to 24 hours. This can halve your Chlorine costs and also allows your pool to be sanitized throughout the whole day. |
| What are Salt Water Chlorinators? | This is when salt is added to the pool at a concentration of 0.4% and this solution is passed between a cathode and an anode where an electric current ionises the sodium chloride to chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide. The chlorine gas dissolves in the pool water and acts as a sanitiser.
The pool water also has to have cyanuric acid to prevent the sunlight absorbing the chlorine into the atmosphere, and sodium bicarbonate to adjust the ph and total alkalinity to the required level for the optimum stability of the chlorine.
It is important to maintain the level of salt at 0.4% continuously as this extends the life of a cell and anode which is about 3-4 years. The anode can be cleaned by soaking in hydrochloric acid for a short time. 0.4% of a 50,000 litre pool is 200kg which equals 8 bags of salt.
This method of sanitising your pool requires slightly less maintenance but is more expensive as a new unit costs around $1000 and a replacement cell $350-$400. Salt also has some corrosion properties on the steel in your pool.
We can test your water for the exact salt concentration, and advise what quantity to add. |
