Section 5. Pool Water Preparation
ATTENTION INSTALLER, PLEASE CHECK
WATER CHEMISTRY PRIOR TO OPERATION
Please take a moment to test the water for Total
Hardness (TH) before proceeding.
1.
Remove Test Strip from foil pouch. Take care not to
put wet fingers into the foil.
2.
Immerse at a depth of 15 cm (6″) for 2 seconds. If
testing in a spa make sure the jets are off.
3.
Remove with pad face up.
4.
Shake once to remove excess water.
5.
Wait 10 seconds
6.
Compare test strip color to the printed color chart in
your test strip packet.
An ideal range is from 200 to 400. If your TH measures
800+ you must adjust water chemistry before operating
the cell. Poor water chemistry will lead to rapid
calcification and failure of the electrolytic cell.
5.1 Determining Pool Size (Litres)
•
Rectangular Pools
Length (metres) x width (metres) x average depth
(metres) x 1000 = litres capacity.
•
Circular Pools
Radius (metres) x Radius (metres) x 3.14 x
average depth (metres) x 1000 = litres capacity.
•
Oval Pools
Short Radius (metres) x long radius (metres) x 3.14 x
average depth (metres) x 1000 = litres capacity.
5.2
Determining Pool Size (Gallons)
•
Rectangular Pools
Length (feet) x width (feet) x average depth (feet) x
7.5 = gallon capacity.
•
Circular Pools
Radius (feet) x radius (feet) x 3.14 x average
depth (feet) x 7.5 = gallon capacity.
•
Oval Pools
Long radius (feet) x short radius (feet) x 3.14 x
average depth (feet) x 7.5 = gallon capacity.
5.3 Chemistry You Need to Know
•
Chlorine Stabilizer
(cyanuric acid) is needed to
maintain proper levels of chlorine. Most non-
stabilized chlorine is destroyed by the UV radiation
from the sun within two (2) hours. Chlorine stabilizer
should be maintained between 30 - 50 ppm. For
indoor pools, it is not necessary to add chlorine
stabilizer to the swimming pool water.
•
Nitrates
can cause extremely high chlorine demands
and will deplete chlorine from your swimming pool. In
some cases nitrates may even lower your chlorine
levels to zero. Your local pool professional can test
for nitrates. Make sure nitrates are not present in
your pool.
•
Metals
(some metals) can cause loss of chlorine
and stain your pool. Have your local pool
professional check for metals and recommend
methods of removal.
•
Combined Chlorine (Chloramines)
should not be
present in pool water. When organic materials
combine with free chlorine, chloramines are formed.
This ties up the free chlorine in your pool and does
not allow the chlorine in your pool to disinfect.
Chloramines also cloud pool water and burn the
eyes. Shock to remove chloramines at the initial
startup of the pool.
•
Shocking or Super Chlorination
enhances
chlorine’s ability to oxidize organic waste by
eliminating combined chlorine (CC). To measure
combined chlorine (CC), subtract the Free Chlorine
(FC) from the Total Chlorine (TC). (TC - FC = CC).
To determine how much shock (fast dissolving
chlorine) it will take to properly shock your pool, you’ll
need to calculate the Breakpoint Chlorine (BPC)
level. To determine the Breakpoint Chlorine (BPC)
needed, multiply the Combined Chlorine (CC) level
by 10. Then, subtract the Free Chlorine (FC) level.
Here’s the Formula:
Breakpoint Chlorine (BPC) = ((CC X10) - FC)
for example: If FC=1.0ppm, and if CC=0.7ppm, the
BPC level would be 6.0 ppm. formula: ((0.7x10) -
1.0)=6.0
Your local pool professional can help with this
calculation or can supply you with test kits that can
provide this information. Running your unit at 100%
for 24 hours may also help you achieve breakpoint
chlorination. If diminished water clarity or evidence
of algae persists, your local pool dealer may suggest
additional steps to sanitize your pool water and
eliminate chloramines.
Proper Water Balance is key to your enjoyment of
your pool or spa experience and to the long life of
your cell.
