USEFUL TIPS TO ENSURE A TROUBLE FREE SEASON

BACKWASH PROCEDURE

1. Switch off pump.
2. Depress lever on multiport valve and turn to backwash position.
3. Switch on pump and run for about 3 minutes or until the dirty water passing through the sight glass becomes clear.
4. Switch off pump.
5. Move lever on multiport valve to rinse position.
6. Switch on pump and run for 30 seconds.
7. Switch off pump.
8. Return lever on multiport valve to filter position and recommence filtration.

• Test and dose your pool regularly - preferably each day. The efficiency of your sanitiser, e.g. Chlorine, reduces as the pH level increases. For optimum results maintain a pH reading of 7.2 - 7.4, a Chlorine reading of 1.5 - 3.0 ppm, or a Bromine reading of 3.0 - 4.0 ppm.

• To shock dose correctly you should raise the chlorine level in the water to more than 6.0 ppm with unstabilised chlorine.
• Ensure your solar cover is kept on the pool when not in use to minimise heat loss and to maximise chemical efficiency.
• Always use a solar cover roller. This not only prevents dirt from being dragged into the pool but safeguards the cover guarantee. When the cover is on the roller protect it from the sun with a solar cover protector sheet.
• Change the sand in your filter at least every 3 years to maintain filter efficiency.
• Check that your pool electrics are safe and comply with current legislation.

POOL OPENING PROCEDURE

1. Remove Winter Debris Cover and pack carefully away for the season.
2. Replace skimmer flaps and baskets, steps and check pump basket "0" ring.
3. Clean filter sand with filter cleaner, leave overnight and backwash the following day.
4. Put filter in backwash position and dump as much of last year's water as possible. Top up with fresh water.
5. In hard water areas add scale inhibitor to minimise calcium deposits.
6. Test pH and balance water with either Dry Acid (pH-) or Alkali (pH+), as required.

7. Test Total Alkalinity is between 00 and 200 PPM. Adjust by adding Total Alkalinity Plus to raise the level, or Dry Acid to lower. Failure to maintain this level may lead to corrosion, and will result in the pool being constantly out of balance and difficult to maintain.

8. Shock dose with one of the following:
1. Calcium Hypochlorite
2. Sodium Hypochlorite
3. Non-Chlorine Shock
9. Add Longlife Algaecide.
10. Clean water line with tile and liner cleaner.
11. Dose with your usual sanitiser:
1. Chlorine granules,
2. Chlorine tablets,
3. Bromine Tablets,
4. Active oxygen-Bayroklar.
12. Add flocculant for crystal clear, "polished" water.
13. Recommission summer cover and roller.
14. Reconnect heater and test.

POOL CLOSING PROCEDURE

1. Vac out all leaves and debris which may cause staining.
2. Backwash the filter thoroughly to remove the dirt which should not be allowed to overwinter in the filter.
3. Lower water level to 6" below skimmer.
4. Adjust pH to 7.4 to maximise shock chlorine efficiency.
5. Shock dose with Calcium Hypochlorite or Sodium Hypochlorite, and then adjust pH to 7.4 to protect the internal finishes of the pool.
6. Add winterising chemical to prevent calcium and dirt deposits forming on the internal surfaces.
7. Float plastic drums/bottles, part filled with stones, on the surface and secure in the middle so that they do not touch the sides. They will act as a buffer should thick ice form and pressurise the pool shell at water level.
8. Remove steps, skimmer flops and baskets.
9. Roll up and store cover and roller.
10. Fit winter debris cover to keep out debris which may stain internal pool surfaces.
11. Drain down filtration, heating and pipework systems.
12. Grease all exposed metal surfaces with petroleum jelly to prevent rusting.
13. Drain off and remove pump where possible. If not spray with water repellent.
14. Open all valves above water level and close those below.
15. Switch off main electrical supply to pool equipment.

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TROUBLE SHOOTING

• PROBLEM: Test shows no chlorine even after chlorine has been added to pool water.

Possible Causes:

1. Initial Chlorine demand of water not satisfied.
2. Test kit old or faulty.
3. Too much Chlorine, bleaching of DPD tablets. (Recognised if sample shows pink flash when DPD tablet is added but quickly disappears).

Recommendations:

1. Shock with 150 grams (5oz) Chlorine for each 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water until a satisfactory residual is reached.
2. Check test kit with your pool specialist. Renew tablets frequently.
3. Dilute sample 50/50 with water and test diluted sample. Continue as necessary.

Products to use:

1. Granular Shock / Liquid Chlorine.
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• PROBLEM: Green colour, pool feels slimy, algae is visible.

Possible Causes:

1. Algae growth.

Recommendation:

1. Adjust pH to between 7.2 and 7.6. Super-Chlorinate with 350 grams (l2oz) Shock Chlorine granules or 0.5 litre (approx 1 pint) Liquid Chlorine for each 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water and then add concentrated Algicide the next day.

Products to use:

1. pH Increaser (Alkali) or pH Reducer (Dry Acid).
2. Granular Shock / Liquid Chlorine.
3. Concentrated long life Algicide.
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• PROBLEM: Strong smell of chlorine.

Possible Causes:

1. Build up of Chloramines.

Recommendation:

1. Super-chlorinate with 350 grams (12oz) Shock Chlorine granules or 0.5 litre (approx 1 pint) Liquid Chlorine for each 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water and then add concentrated Algicide the next day.

Products to use:

1. Granular Shock / Liquid Chlorine.
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• PROBLEM: Green, brown or black algae spots on pool wall or on pool bottom.

Possible Causes:

1. Insufficient Chlorine and lack of Algicide.

Recommendations:

1. Super-Chlorinate with 350 grams(12 oz) Shock Chlorine granules or 0.5 litre (approx 1 pint) Liquid Chlorine for each 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water. Brush off dead algae spots and pick up with pool vacuum and then add concentrated Algicide the next day.

Products to use:

1. Granular Shock / Liquid Chlorine.
2. Concentrated long life Algicide.
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• PROBLEM: Green colour, not algae.

Possible Causes:

1. High levels of Copper and Iron in the water which shows up when pH and Total Alkalinity is incorrect.

Recommendation:

1. Correct Total Alkalinity to between 80 ppm & 2OO ppm.
2. Correct pH to between 7.2 and 7.6.

Products to use:

1. Total Alkalinity Plus (Sodium Bicarbonate)
2. pH Increaser (Alkali) or pH Reducer (Dry Acid).
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• PROBLEM: Cloudy pool water.

Possible Causes:

LI>Incorrect water balance.
1. Chlorine too low.
2. Inadequate filtration.

Recommendation:

1. Correct pH to between 7.2 and 7.6 with pH Reducer or pH Increaser and correct Total Alkalinity and Calcium levels to those recommended by your pool specialist.
2. Shock with 150 grams (5 oz) Shock Chlorine for each 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water.
3. Clean and inspect filter system. Increase filtration time. Add Clarifier or Flocculant.

Products to use:

1. pH Increaser (Alkali) or pH Reducer (Dry Acid).
2. Granular Shock I Liquid Chlorine.
3. Filter media cleaner or new filter media. Pool water Clarifier or Flocculant.
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• PROBLEM: White scale deposits.

Possible Causes:

1. Incorrect water balance.
2. Hard water Condition.

Recommendation:

1. Correct pH to between 7.2 and 7.6 with pH Reducer or Increaser and correct Total Alkalinity and Calcium levels as recommended by your pool specialist.
2. Use stain preventer (Calcium Sequestrant).

Products to use:

1. pH Increaser (Alkali) or pH Reducer (Dry Acid).
2. Calcium Sequestrant.
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• PROBLEM: Rapid loss of chlorine.

Possible Causes:

1. Heavy bathing load.
2. Lack of Chlorine Stabiliser.

Recommendation:

1. Shock with 150 grams (5oz) Shock Chlorine for each 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water. Add Chlorine Stabiliser 300 grams (10 oz) per 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water to maintain a stabilised level of 50 ppm.

Products to use:

1. Granular Shock / Liquid Chlorine.
2. Chlorine Stabiliser.
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• PROBLEM: Skin irritation.

Possible Causes:

1. pH too high or too low.

Recommendation:

1. Adjust pH to between 7.2 and 7.6 with pH Increaser /pH Reducer.

Products to use:

1. pH increaser (Alkali) or pH Reducer (Dry Acid).
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• PROBLEM: Reddish/Brown Stains

Possible Causes:

1. pH too low.

Recommendations:

1. Double normal daily Chlorine dosage until problem disappears.
2. Raise pH to between 7.2 and 7.6 with pH Increaser.
3. Use stain preventer.

Products to use:

1. pH Increaser (Alkali).
2. Calcium Sequestrant.
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• PROBLEM: Bad water taste or smell (not a chlorine odour).

Possible Causes:

1. Chlorine too low.
2. Organic contamination.
3. Inadequate filtration.

Recommendations:

1. Double normal daily Chlorine dosage until problem disappears.
2. Super-Chlorinate with 350 grams (12oz) Shock Chlorine granules for each 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water.
3. Clean and inspect filter system. Increase filtration time.

Products to use:

1. Chlorine granules.
2. Granular Shock or Liquid Chlorine
3. Filter media cleaner or new filter media.
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• PROBLEM: Severe Eye Irritation

Possible Causes:

1. pH too low.
2. Build up of Chloramines.

Recommendations:

1. Raise pH to between 7.2 and 7.6 with pH Increaser.
2. Super-Chlorinate with 350 grams (12oz) Chlorine for each 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) of water.

Products to use:

1. pH Increaser (Alkali).
2. Granular Shock or Liquid Chlorine.

POOL VOLUME FORMULAE

Average Pool Depth: Deep end (metres) x shallow end (metres) ÷ 2 = average depth

Rectangular Pools: Pool length (metres) x pool width (metres) x average depth (metres) = ……………..cubic metres of pool water (1 cubic metre = 1,000 litres)

For irregular shaped pools please consult your pool specialist

CONVERSION FORMULAE