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Pool Chemicals and You

Its early spring and the 24th of May weekend is rapidly approaching. Your beer fridge is stocked, grass is cut and swimming pool opened and sparkling. You are more stoked than your BBQ for a summer of good clean fun!

Now it’s one thing to envision a swimming pool that is clearer than a Hawaiian lagoon but another to keep it that way. Once it is opened and you’ve used your opening kit which contains:

Algaecide : a  40% concentrated Algaecide to prevent algae growth.

Stain Control : protects from metal staining during the Season.

Oxidizer : a non-chlorine shock treatment which oxidizes contaminants. 

Pool Opening Kit You will have to continue maintaining proper water balance to ensure the health of your swimming environment and avoiding having your wonderful swimming pool become reminiscent of the “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” B-movie.

Calculate the size of your pool to know what quantity of chemicals required to maintain a healthy water balance. Always read the label of any chemical product which you wish to introduce into your water.

How to Measure Pool Capacity

Deep end depth (m) + Shallow end depth (m) = (m)/2 = Average Depth (m)

Rectangular or Square:

Length (m)   x  Width (m)  x   Average Depth (m) x 1000  =  Pool Capacity (liter)

Oval:

Diameter (m)   x  Long Diameter (m)   x  Average Depth (m)   x  790  =  Pool Capacity (liter)

Round:

Diameter (m)   x  Diameter (m)  x   Average Depth (m)   x  790  =  Pool Capacity (liter)

Free Form:

Surface (sq m)   x  Average Depth (m)   x  1000  =  Pool Capacity (liter)

Balanced water means healthy water & healthy water means happy swimmers, so line
​those ducks up for summer fun!

Summer Chemistry 101

  1. PH - A measure of the water’s acidity
  2. Everyday 7.2–7.8 HTH pH Up or HTH pH Down
  3.  
  4. Free Available Chlorine (FAC)-The amount of active chlorine in the water
  5. Everyday: 1–3 ppm when using chlorine HTH Sanitizers or HTH shock products
  6.  
  7. Total Alkalinity (TA)-The water’s ability  to keep the pH at a proper level
  8. Once a week: 100–120 ppm HTH Alkalinity Up
  9.  
  10. Cyanuric Acid/Stabilizer (CYA)
  11. A chemical that will assist in reducing the loss of chlorine on hot sunny days
    Twice a season: 20–50 ppm (Do not exceed 100 ppm)
  12.  
  13. HTH Stabilizer : Raises cyanuric acid levels to prevent chlorine loss due to intense sunlight

*Allow at least 48 hours for the stabilizer to dissolve before adding an HTH sanitizer or washing to waste.

 

Superpuck chlorine pucks are an ideal way to keep bacteria levels low. They should be constantly dispensed in order to maintain proper sanitization levels. Super Puck is a 90% available stabilized chorine puck and Canada's leading chlorine choice.

Super Puck

PH Plus will bring water alkalinity up to desired levels of 7.2 to 7.8.

Ph minusPh Plus

PH Minus will bring water alkalinity levels down.

Aquachek  Aqua chek

For an easy reading on Chlorine/Bromine, PH, and total alkalinity levels use Aquachek test strips in combination with the TruTest digital test strip reader.

Specifically developed for pool and spa owners, the AquaChek TruTest Digital Test Strip Reader combines the ease and accuracy of AquaChek test strips with advanced digital technology. Eliminates interpreting color results! Numerical results displayed along with “low,” “ok,” and “high” indicators.

Just dip a test strip in your water, set the test strip on the channel and get fast accurate results! Test strips can also be used with salt generators!”

Pool Pup   oxidizer

Once in awhile somebody thinks it’s funny to throw the pooch into the pool and while the idea may be amusing in theory it can be not so cute in application. Apart from the increased probability of the liner being clawed open there is a sanitation factor involved and to give you an idea of how it can affect the cleanliness of your water; 1 golden retriever is the equivalent to 70 bathers! If this happens at your house then you may wish to use a non chlorine oxidizer to do a shock as soon as possible to avoid sending your chemistry off the charts.

Oxidizer is a shock treatment that will not raise the pH of water or raise the chlorine levels. It is safe to swim just 15 minutes after being introduced into the water. 43% Potassium Monopersulfate uses natural oxygen to burn up organic and inorganic contaminents like bacteria, mold, lotion, dead skin and cosmetics. Apply weekly at the rate of 1 lb per 8,000 gallons. You can safely swim immediately after treatment. This product is also compatible with chlorine and bromine systems.

Quite often the chemicals which are seasonally available at non pool professional locations are inferior quality products which are in no way comparable to those which are obtained through a knowledgeable source; so buyer beware when considering bargain products. It may cost you a considerable amount more in the long run to correct the problems which will likely arise in your water when you use inferior quality chemicals as well as take away from the time that you could be swimming!

 

A Word to the Wise

Purchasing the correct chemical products to maintain healthy pool water is essential if you wish to enjoy a complete swimming season with no interruptions due to algae blooms, water molds, pink slime or chlorine imbalances. The first rule of thumb when handling any chemicals is safety. Avoid skin exposure to chlorine and other chemicals and protect your eyes against splashing by wearing protective glasses.

 

CAUTION: Extreme care must be exercised when adding chemicals. Concentrated chemicals may react violently if they mix in the chemical feeder, causing a fire or explosion, which may result in property damage, personal injury or death.

 

Chlorine Feeder: Many people use their filter basket to dispense their chlorine; however, this method makes regulating the amount required very difficult and can result in impure water properties which can cause skin and eye irritations amongst a myriad of other issues.

A chlorine or chemical feeder allows the chlorine to dispense in a regulated manner which is much more likely to keep the chemistry  adjusted to a healthy level. They are affordable, easily installed and simply use chlorine tablets or sticks; no muss no fuss.

Brominator: Similar to a chemical feeder in structure a brominator dispenses bromine tablets into your water killing bacteria much the same as chlorine does. Bromine is a compound which is similar to chlorine but remains more stabilized in a warm environment and is popular with people who like to keep their pool quite warm as well as spa and hot tub owners.

Salt / Chlorine Generator: A common misconception is that a salt pool is chlorine free. A salt generator is a sanitization system which uses electrolysis as a means to conversion. When passing through the generator cell the salt is converted into a slightly saline form of chlorine which is less harsh then chemical chlorine and makes the water feel soft compared to ordinary chlorine.”  Using the correct salt is a topmost consideration when choosing a salt generator.  Using a pool specific salt product which has a 99.8 % purity level is important because less pure salt products contain elements which can effect everything from the chlorine levels to the metal stains which can develop on a liner due to high iron levels in non-pool quality salt.

Clear O3 Ozone System

Ozone is a great way to break down non living particles in your water and reduce chemical usage by up to 70%! Combine with a salt generator or chlorinator for optimum water balance and an almost hands free swim season!

Chlorine, chlorine dispensers, salt generators,  salt cells, and other chemicals can be purchased through our website at www.poolsuppliescanada.ca

*Maintaining your equipment is as essential as maintaining your pool water in order to keep sanitation levels at an optimum. Descaling your chlorine dispenser or salt generator will assist in proper flow passing through it. Keep all mechanical equipment associated with your pool properly cared for and save yourself time and money in repair and chemical costs.

This Blog was Posted on July 2nd, 2013
Any Offers, Prices or Product Line Ups Mentioned on this Page are Subject to Change Without Notice

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