Keep the following pool tips in mind as you care for your pool this season. You will want to keep your pool water in balance to prevent the water from becoming corrosive or forming scale deposits. Below are the ideal chemistry levels:
pH reading: 7.2 - 7.8
Total Alkalinity: 80 - 120 PPM
Sanitizer Level: 1 -3 PPM
Here at PoolAndSpaEssentials, you can count on us to deliver the pool and spa products you need to keep your water clean and balanced. Convenience. Delivered.
CHEMICAL PRECAUTIONS:
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Always read label directions throughly; use only as directed
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Always add chemicals to a bucket of water, not water to the chemical when mixing a product
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Add chemicals in front of a return line or walking around pool to distribute
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Never add chemicals through the skimmer system
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Never mix one chemical with another prior to adding them to the water
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Never add chemicals to the water when there are people in the pool
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Store chemicals in a cool and dry location
Pool Water Problem Solver
If your pool water isn't looking its best, use this guide to determine the possible causes and how to correct it
CLOUDY, DULL WATER
Possible Cause: Dirty Filter
Solution: Clean filter with Pool Solutions Filter Cleaner or Natural Chemistry Filter Perfect. Renew sand filter efficiency with Sand Aid.
Maintenance: Backwash as necessary and clean filgter thoroughly as needed.
Possible Cause: pH too high
Solution: Test pH and total alkalinity. Add Pool Solutions pH Down as directed
Maintenance: Test frequently and maintain pH of 7.2 - 7.8 and total alkalinity at 80 - 120 ppm
Possible Cause: Free chlorine residual too low
Solution: Test for chlorine residual and adjust as needed. Shock treat with Oxidize Non-Chlorine Shock
Maintenance: Maintain free chlorine level of 1-3 ppm
Possible Cause: Filter not removing small particles
Solution: Use Concentrated Clarifier to coagulate small particles. Check filter operation
Maintenance: Use Concentrated Clarifier weekly, 1 oz per 5,000 gallons
Possible Cause: Backwashing sand filters too often
Solution: Backwash less frequently, only as recommended by filter mfg's directions
Maintenance: Use Pool Solutions Filter Cleaner once every month or two months, depending on pool use
Possible Cause: Dissolved metals in water
Solution: Use Pool Solutions Metal Control to control metals in water
Maintenance: Use 4 oz. per 10,000 gallons of Metal Control weekly to prevent staining and scale formulation
CLOUDY GREEN WATER
Possible Cause: Green algae
Solution: Use Algae Prevent 60 or Algae Prevent 30 to destroy algae. Use Pool Solutions Floc 'N Vac to help remove dead algae
Maintenance: Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of Pool Solutions Algae Prevent weekly to prevent algae growth
BLACK AND/OR DARK GREEN SPOTS
Possible Cause: Black algae
Solution: Use Oxidize Non-Chlorine Shock per directions. Add Algae Prevent 60 or Algae Prevent 30 as directed, then brush daily until gone. Use Pool Solutions Floc 'N Vac to help remove dead algae
Maintenance: Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of Pool Solutions Algae Prevent weekly to prevent algae growth. Adjust returns to provide better flow over affected area
YELLOW SLIME
Possible Cause: Mustard algae
Solution: Clean filter with Pool Solutions Filter Cleaner or Natural Chemistry Filter Perfect. Bursh affected areas. Use Pool Solutions Algae Control 50 or Pool Solutions Algae Control 10. Use Floc 'N Vac to help remove dead algae.
Maintenance: Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of Pool Solutions Algae Prevent weekly to prevent algae growth
REDDISH BROWN WATER
Possible Cause: Iron or manganese dissolved in water
Solution: Use Metal Control to suspend and inactivate stain causing minerals
Maintenance: Use 8 oz per 10,000 gallons of Metal Control on a weekly basis
CLEAR GREEN WATER
Possible Cause: Dissolved copper from fill water, corrosion of copper pipes or heater
Solution: Use Use Metal Control as directed. Test and adjust pH and total alkalinity
Maintenance: Use 8 oz per 10,000 gallons of Metal Control on a weekly basis
STAINS & RUST
Possible Cause: Metals in water
Solution: Use Stain Free to remove stains. Follow treatment with Metal Control to prevent staining
Maintenance: Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of Metal Control weekly to keep metals in solution and prevent staining
Possible Cause: Unbalanced water
Solution: Make necessary pH and total alkalinity adjustments
Maintenance: Maintain pH of 7.2 - 7.8, total alkalinity at 80 - 120 ppm
CALCIUM, SCALE DEPOSITS
Possible Cause: pH or alkalinity too high
Solution: Correct with pH Down as directed
Maintenance: Use Metal Control weekly to prevent scale-forming calcium from precipitating out of solution
Possible Cause: Calcium content too high
Solution: Dilute pool water with water of lower hardness. Use Metal Control as directed
Maintenance: Use Metal Control weekly to prevent scale-forming calcium from precipitating out of solution
SKIN & EYE IRRITATION
Possible Cause: Combined chlorine level is too high
Solution: Shock treat with Oxidize. Then test for free chlorine residual and adjust to maintain residual of 1-3 ppm
Maintenance: Maintain disinfectant level of 1-3 ppm at all times regardless of pool usage or weather conditions
Possible Cause: pH too low or too high
Solution: Test pH and correct with pH Up or pH Down
Maintenance: Maintain pH of 7.2 - 7.8 and total alkalinity of 80 - 120 ppm
CHLORINE ODOR
Possible Cause: Combined chlorine level is too high
Solution: Shock treat with Oxidize. Then test for free chlorine residual and adjust to maintain residual of 1-3 ppm
Maintenance: Test chlorine level daily. Maintain pH of 7.2 - 7.8 total alkalinity of 80 - 120 ppm and free chlorine level of 1-3 ppm
SCUM & ODORS
Possible Cause: Grease and oil from swimmers
Solution: Use enzyme-action Natural Chemistry Clear to dissolve oils and lotions. Clean walls and surfaces with Surface Cleaner. Clean filter with Filter Cleaner or Filter Perfect.
Maintenance: Maintain a clear filter with periodic cleaning. Shock treat with Oxidize after heavy pool use to destroy non-filterable contaminants. Use Clear & Perfect weekly.
