3
Water Chemistry
Note: Dry acid can cause a build-up of by-products that can damage the chlorinator cells.
New Pool Water:
Newly filled or refurbished pools may contain undesirable substances. Such undesirable
substances may interfere with the CMARCIC series cell’s ability to properly chlorinate. Before turning on the
CMARCIC cell, make sure the water has been tested and properly balanced by a professional pool.
Super Chlorination:
Burns off swimmer waste that is bound to chlorine, this releases chlorine for disinfection. This can
be accomplished by quickly and dramatically increasing the chlorine level. The water in the pool is considered super
chlorinated when the chlorine level is raised to ten (10) times the total amount of chlorine. At the time the unit is
turned on, the water inside the CMARCIC cell is highly chlorinated because the pool water is constantly flowing
through the CMARCIC cell.
Note:
When the pool is first started up, it is best to use an outside source for hyper chlorination, i.e., an electric
shock treatment from your local pool supplier.
Chloramine:
Ammonia (found in urine and sweat) combines with free chlorine to form chloramines, this should not
be present in the pool water. This will bind the free chlorine in the pool and will not allow the pool to be disinfected
with chlorine. Chloramine can also burn eyes and give off a foul smell. At the initial start-up of the tank, chloramine
is removed from the super chlorate as required to maintain an appropriate level of free chlorine.
Cyanuric acid:
Within two hours, UV rays from the sun can destroy 90% of the unstable chlorine. Cyanuric acid is
needed in outdoor pools to help stabilize and maintain proper levels of chlorine. Cyanuric acid stabilizes the chlorine
in the water and prevents UV degradation. Cyanuric acid levels should be maintained between 30-50 ppm when
using CMARCIC (See page 8).
Note:
DO NOT USE CYANURIC ACID IN INDOOR POOLS.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):
Adding salt to swimming pool water will raise the TDS level, while this does not
adversely affect the pool water chemistry. For clarity, the pool water TDS professional testing personnel must be
aware that salt has been added to the CMARCIC cell. The person performing the TDS test (see page 17) can then
subtract the salinity level to achieve a TDS level that is compatible with the TDS reading of a salt-free pool.
Metals:
Certain metals, such as copper and iron, can cause chlorine loss. In addition, metals can stain your pool.
Metals can also damage the CMARCIC cell. Have your local pool professional check for metals and recommend
removal methods.
Nitrates and phosphates
can cause extremely high chlorine demand and can deplete the pool of chlorine. In some
cases, nitrates may even reduce your chlorine levels to zero. Your local pool professional can test for nitrates and
phosphates. While the ideal nitrate level is 0 ppm, pool owners should ensure that nitrate levels do not exceed 10
ppm.
