Pool and Spa Tips
Pool Water Balance
Water Balance is a term used to describe the interaction of pH, Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness, and their overall effect on your pool equipment, water quality and the pool itself. We will discuss each factor separately and then as a whole.
pH
pH is a measurement of the relative acidity and basicity (alkalinity) of water. pH is measured on a scale that runs from 0 to 14. pH values below 7 are acidic and values higher than 7 are basic (alkaline). Pool Pure pH Minus has a pH of 1.5 and is used to lower the pH of pool water. Pool Pure pH Plus has a pH of 11.5 and is used to raise the pH of pool water. Your pool water should always have a pH in the range of 7.2 to 7.8.
Ideal Range: 7.2 - 7.6
High pH can cause: eye irritation, cloudy water, scaling, and inefficient use of sanitizers.
Low pH can cause: eye burn, etched plaster, corrosion and staining.
Total Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity refers to the amount of alkaline material (carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides) in your pool water. Pool water with low TA is sensitive to a change in pH. The pH will "bounce" from high to low and back up again very quickly. Pool water with too high a TA is very resistant to a change in pH making it difficult to adjust pH when necessary.
The proper range of TA is 120 to 150 ppm in plaster or marbalite finished pools and 125 to 175 ppm in fibreglass, vinyl-lined or painted pools.
Ideal Range: plaster:100 - 150 ppm, vinyl:125 - 175 ppm
High TA can cause: eye irritation, cloudy water, scaling, and make pH difficult to adjust
Low TA can cause: eye burn, etched plaster, corrosion and staining.
Calcium Hardness
Total Hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium carbonate in water. In pool water chemistry we are interested only in the calcium hardness (CH) of your pool water.
You should test for CH at opening, mid-season and just before closing your pool for the winter. If your pool is open all year, test for CH every 3 months.
Ideal Range: plaster:225 - 300 ppm, vinyl:175 - 250 ppm
High CH can cause: cloudy water, scaling
Low CH can cause: etched plaster, corrosion and staining.
Stabilizer
Sunlight can rapidly destroy chlorine residual in outdoor pools unless the chlorine is stabilized. Stabilization refers to the ability of the sanitizing chemical to resist deactivation by sunlight. If the chlorinating chemical is stabilized, this process is slowed significantly and the chlorine remains effective longer, even in bright sunlight.
Sanitation of Pool Water
Sanitation refers to the control of infectious organisms (bacteria, virus, etc.), the removal of excess organics (perspiration, urine, body oils) and the prevention of algae growth. Proper pool water sanitation, then, must satisfy three basic requirements, individually and as a whole.
- Continuous disinfection
- Removal of excess organics
- Prevention of Algae growth
To sanitize your pool you can use either Chlorine or Bromine.
Chlorine
Stabilized Chlorine comes in two different forms: quick dissolving granular Dichlor and compressed Trichlor.
Granulated Dichlor can be added almost immediately to the pool (once it has been predissolved). This means if your chlorine level has dropped too low, your pool will be safe for swimming 30 minutes after adding Dichlor. Granular Dichlor should be added daily (or as required) to maintain a safe chlorine residual of 1-3 ppm.
Trichlor tablets dissolve more slowly and are fed into the pool gradually through an automatic feeder or by dissolving in the skimmer. An automatic feeder is preferred because it helps maintain a more constant chlorine residual.
Warning: When using an automatic chlorinator, do not add any chemical other than those recommended by the manufacturer. Using the wrong chemical can result in fire and/or explosion.
Chlorination
No matter which form of chlorine is used, you must maintain a chlorine residual of 1-3 ppm. As long as the residual does not drop below 1 ppm, the water will be sanitary.
When chlorine is added to pool water, some of it is used to satisfy an initial chlorine demand. The chlorine is consumed by destroying existing algae and bacteria, and by breaking up organic waste. Once this initial demand has been met, the chlorine that remains is your total chlorine. Total chlorine consists of "free" chlorine and "combined" chlorine. Free chlorine is the active chlorine available for sanitation. Combined chlorine is chlorine that is tied up with organic waste, and forms what we call chloramines. Chloramines are responsible for eye irritation and offensive "chlorine odour". Also, when chlorine is tied up in chloramines, it loses most of its effectiveness as a sanitizer. In a properly maintained pool, total chlorine should equal free chlorine so that combined chlorine (chloramines) are not present.
Bromine
Bromine is available as a compressed tablet. Bromine is more effective in higher pH ranges. Also, bromine when coupled with nitrogenous waste will form bromamines. Bromamines are good disinfectants. When chlorine, on the other hand, forms chloramines they have no disinfecting properties.
Chemical Safety & Storage
- Keep all chemical containers sealed and out of reach of children
- Read and follow all label directions
- NEVER mix chemicals
- Always add chemicals into water - never the reverse
- Store all chemicals in a cool, dry place with the container sealed
- Never store chemicals in direct sunlight
Spa Water Balance
Water balance has five factors: pH, Total Alkalinity “TA”, Calcium Hardness “CH”, Temperature, and Total Dissolved Solids “TDS”. For our purpose, it is assumed that the temperature will stay between 35 C and 40 C, and the TDS level will remain below 1500 parts per million (ppm), providing the drain and refill schedule is followed.
Water balance affects the safety of your equipment as well as the appearance of the water. pH is most critical, but the TA and CH levels must also be considered.
pH
Maintain pH between 7.2 and 7.8. Spa Life pH Up raises pH; Spa Pure pH Minus lowers pH.
NOTE: Dosages will vary depending on TA and CH levels. The recommended dosages are approximate and presume the water is balanced to 100 ppm TA and 250 ppm CH. All dosages per 2000 litres (Tbsp. = level tablespoon).
Total Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity buffers or controls changes in pH. Maintain TA between 100-150 ppm. Total Alkalinity is critical to the protection of the equipment. Spa Pure Buffer, in four level tablespoon doses, will raise the TA 20 ppm in 2400 litres of water.
Calcium Hardness
Calcium Hardness controls overall buffering capacity of the water. Low CH can lead to corrosion; high CH to scaling, cloudy water and staining. Maintain CH between 150-300 ppm. 10 level tablespoons of Spa Pure Cal will raise CH 50 ppm in 2000 litres of water. To lower CH, drain part of the old water, refill with fresh tap water, then retest.
Sanitation
Sanitation refers to the control of infectious organisms (bacteria, virus, etc.) and the removal of excess organics (perspiration, urine, body oils). Pool and Spa Deals offers two types of sanitizers: Bromine and Chlorine.
Bromine
Bromine is strongly recommended as a sanitizer for spa use. Bromine is more effective than chlorine in higher pH ranges. Also, bromine when coupled with nitrogenous waste will form bromamines. Bromamines are good disinfectants. When chlorine, on the other hand, forms chloramines they have no disinfecting properties. Bromine is available as a compressed tablet or a two part system. Consult Pool and Spa Deals for the product best suited for your spa. It is recommended to maintain a bromine level of 3 to 5 ppm.
Chlorine
There are a number of different types of chlorine available and the selection becomes a personal preference. Spa Pure Mini Pucks are a slow releasing tablet that require a feeder or skimmer basket to dissolve. Spa Pure Mini Pucks will maintain a good chlorine level over a number of days.
Whether using Bromine or Chlorine in your Spa, periodic shock treatments are required. Body oils, lotions, perspiration and dirt accumulate in the spa reducing the effect of your sanitizer. After heavy bather use or weekly, shock the spa using Spa Pure Shock according to directions.
Troubleshooting
Cloudy Water
Suspended particulate matter can cause cloudy water. To keep the water sparkling clear, treat weekly with PUR Mineral Treatment with the system running on low jets. If cloudy water is a constant problem, check TA, CH, and pH levels and bring into balance.
Other Possible Causes:
- Suspended particles - Add PUR Mineral Treatment
- Build-up of organic contaminants -Shock treatment with Spa Pure Clor
- Total alkalinity too high - Add Spa Life pH Minus until TA is within 100-150 ppm
- pH too high - Adjust pH using Spa Pure pH Minus until 7.2-7.8
- High TDS - Empty spa and refill (have water tested)
- Poor filtration - Clean cartidge with Spa Pure Filter Cleaner
Foaming
Foaming is caused by shampoo and soap residues, hair sprays, cleansers and even “soft” water (low TA and CH). If foaming occurs, treat by squirting Spa Pure Defoamer over the surface of the water. Repeat if necessary.
Other Possible Causes:
- High concentration of oils and organic matter - Squirt Spa Pure Defoamer over foamy area contaminants being agitated by jets
- Soft water - Use Spa Pure Cal Up until CH is within 150-300 ppm
Coloured Water
If the water takes on a green or brown tint, it is probably due to metal (copper or iron) in the water. To remove colour and prevent staining, treat with recommended dose of Spa Pure Stain and Scale. Repeat if necessary.
Other Possible Causes:
- Dissolved metals - Use Spa Pure Stain and Scale and have water tested - (copper, iron, etc.) from equipment or source water
- Algae - Shock treat with PUR Mineral Treatment
Scale Formation:
If white, chalky or hard residue forms on the sides of the spa, it is due to calcium carbonate scale formation. Also treat with Spa Pure Stain and Scale and check water balance parameters.
Other Possible Causes:
- High calcium level - Drain partially and add Spa Pure Stain and Scale
- pH too high - Adjust pH to 7.2-7.8
- Alkalinity too high - Adjust TA to 100-150 ppm by adding Spa Pure pH Minus
Poor Filtration:
Approximately every 12 weeks the spa should be drained and the filter cleaned with Spa Pure Filter Cleaner Heavy usage will require draining more frequently.
Other Possible Causes:
- Skimmer basket clogged - Remove hair and other debris from skimmer basket on a regular basis
- Filter Cartridge clogged - Remove and clean with Spa Pure Filter Cleaner
- Pump not operating properly -Have a service technician examine the system
Spa & Hot Tub Use
- Never allow water to exceed 40ºC (104ºF)
- Limit soak time to 15 minutes at a time
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages before or during use
- Do not allow children to use the spa/hot tub without supervision
- If you are pregnant, consult a physician before use
- If you have high blood pressure or other cardiovascular condition, consult your physician before using a spa or hot tub
Chemical Safety & Storage
- Keep all chemical containers sealed and out of reach of children
- Read and follow all label directions
- NEVER mix chemicals
- Always add chemicals into water - never the reverse
- Store all chemicals in a cool, dry place with the container sealed
- Never store chemicals in direct sunlight
