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Information, and "How To..."
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POOL START-UP
· Before first filling a pool or adding substantial amounts of fresh water to the pool, either test the water using a good quality test kit or have it tested for ph, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and stain producing metals. This will tell you what type of treatment will likely be required once the pool is full and allow treatment measures to be taken that will prevent problems from water source.
· In cases where the pool is being reopened and was covered all winter, remove the cover carefully so as to avoid having leaves or other debris fall into the pool. Sweep up and remove as much material as possible that may have accumulated in the pool during the off season.
· Fill the pool and start water circulating through pump.
o A) If pool is new and metals are present, add Stain & Scale, at a rate of 1 qt. per 20,000 gallons.
o B) If partly filled and metallic minerals are present, treat with Stain & Scale Prevention at the same rate.
· Stock water with enough chlorinating product (Chlorinating Stabilizer ) to raise free chlorine residual to 8-10 ppm (Parts Per Million)
· Adjust total alkalinity, ph and calcium hardness if necessary.
· Clean the cover, fold and put away for summer.
· Clean sand filter with Sand-Renu, following package instructions. This gives a good, clean start to the filtering process for the summer. If it is a cartridge filter, use Cartridge Renu, following package directions.
PROPER POOL MAINTENANCE
Pool maintenance is not difficult. It is best to follow a regular maintenance program that results in the prevention of problems before they begin. The basic guidelines below will address how to start-up a pool initially in the spring, maintain it during the season, and close it for the off-season. Before beginning, it is best to understand some concepts in the handling, application and safe use of pool treatment products.
Handling Pool Chemicals
· Always read and familiarize yourself with label directions prior to using a product.
· Always use the correct dosage as instructed.
· It is a good idea to dilute your chemicals in a bucket of water and then add them to the pool, but never mix one chemical with another chemical prior to adding to the water.
· Never add chemicals through the skimmer system except for chlorine stabilizer, but do add them by pouring in front of a return line or by carefully walking around the pool to distribute.
· When mixing a product with water prior to adding to the pool, always add the chemical to water and not water the chemical.
· Store chemicals in a cool and dry location out of direct sunlight.
· Vacuum the pool to remove dirt and debris that has accumulated on the bottom.
· Check the pressure or vacuum gauges on a sand, diatomaceous earth, or cartridge filter to determine if the filter requires cleansing. Backwash following the filter manufacturer’s directions.
NOTE: (Some manufacturers produce a product that helps remove deeply set dirt during the backwash process. Such products may help in improving filter performance during the season.) If the pool has a cartridge filter the cartridge should be inspected to determine if cleaning, beyond simple rinsing, is required. Regardless of filter type, if the media is unusually dirty, it should be cleaned with a quality filter cleaner made for pool filters.
Maintenance Suggestions
· Add water as needed. Check and adjust alkalinity and ph. Test sanitizer residual, adjust as needed and refill feeders as required.
· If in-ground pool, add a stain & scale agent every week. Even if metals are not detected in the water tests they can contaminate when least expected and calcium can precipitate to form scale or cloudy water. The small amount of stain & scale used weekly will be far less costly then the expense incurred in acid washing or stain removal.
· Add a maintenance dose of clarifier to help the filter in removing even the smallest particles that can otherwise lead to hazy water conditions.
· Shock the water every 7 days, after a heavy rain or bather load. A regular shock treatment will help prevent the formation of combined chlorine, odors, and skin irritation. The shock treatment will also help boost the sanitizer.
· Add a maintenance dose of algaecide. The algaecide will prevent algae growth even if the sanitizer system were to fail or in the event of heavy bather loads or rainfall.
· Clean along tile lines.
Winterizing
Nothing will make spring start-up easier than properly winterizing your pool.
For best results, have a professional close your In-Ground pool.
· A few days before closing your pool, stop chlorinating. If an algae is already present, kill and clean them up before winterizing.
· Brush the walls and floor and vacuum up all lose debris from the pool bottom.
· Clean the filter or cartridges using a good quality filter cleaner. It will be easier to clean the filter now than in the spring and will assure good filtration on start-up.
· Drain water down to 1” below the lowest return jet.
· Take off filter hoses from pool, sight glass, and pressure gauge.
· VERY IMPORTANT: take off drain plug on bottom of filter.
· Put multiport in the middle of any 2 positions
· Bring pump inside
· Add winter chemicals into pool. (Kits are available.)
· Blow up winter pillow and set into middle of pool.
· Put on winter cover.
· During the winter, pump water off of pool cover whenever you get over 2 inches.
POOL CHEMICALS
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Algaecide 30
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Used on a weekly basis to help prevent algae. Can be used as a cure of algae develops. Typically does not foam.
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Algaecide 50
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Concentrated form of algaecide. Effective against so called “red” algae. Can be used on a weekly basis or as a cure. May cause foaming for a few days.
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Cartridge-Renu
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Use to clean all types of cartridge filters and help extend life of fibers in filters. Removes body oils, grease, dirt, and soap scum. Not harmful to cartridges.
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Hydro-Floc
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Used to clear stubborn cloudy water. Will not affect ph levels. Can be used with all levels of ph. Liquid form, easy to vacuum precipitate.
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Stain & Scale
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Prevents precipitation of minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, etc. in water. Helps prevent corrosion of pool equipment due to oxidation.
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Majestic Blue
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Will clear up most hazy pools. Increases filter efficiency by causing small particles to clump together. Use a preventative or cure for hazy water.
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Chlorine
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Used as a sanitizer for water to protect against algae formation.
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Shock
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Used to oxidize used chlorine from water. Should be done on a weekly basis. Extreme weather may require a shock treatment more frequently.
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Sand-Renu
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Used to clean sand in filtering systems. Will extend life of sand between changes. Used during backwashing.
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pH Plus
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Used to balanced low ph. Used a needed.
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pH Minus
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Used to balance high pH. Used as needed. Same chemical used for lowering alkalinity.
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Alkalinity Plus
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Used to balance low alkalinity. Use as needed.
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Alkalinity Minus
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Used to balance high alkalinity. Use as needed. Same chemical used for lowering pH.
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SPA CHEMICALS
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Brom Start
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Used to give spas a bromine base when spa is first filled.
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Brom-Tabs
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Slow dissolving tabs used to sanitize water.
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Foam-Away
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A concentrated anti-foaming agent reduces excessive bubbling caused by build-up of body oils, or soap residue left in bathing suits.
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Majestic Blue
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A clarifying agent that helps filters fine particulate matter that can build up in the spa and make water cloudy.
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pH Hold
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Helps maintain a perfect pH reading at all times. Only has to be sued once each time spa is filled.
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Non-Chlorine Spa Shock
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A non-chlorine “shock” made specifically for spas.
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Freshen
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A natural enzyme-based product that removes oily scum that can cause a “bath tub ring” and clog filters.
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Sani-Spa
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A granular chlorine- based sanitizer.
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Alkalinity Up
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Raises the Alkalinity of the spa water. Helps prevent rapid pH fluctuation.
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pH Up
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Raises the pH of the spa water.
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pH Down
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Lowers the pH and alkalinity of the spa water. A mild acid in granular form.
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Control
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Easy-to-use stain control and metal remover.
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SPA START-UP WITH CHLORINE SYSTEM
· MAKE SURE SPA IS CLEAN
· Fill spa with fresh water to middle of skimmer
· Test pH and alkalinity and balance accordingly *
· Ph should be between 7.4-7.8 (7.6 is IDEAL)
· Alkalinity should be between 100-150 ppm (120 ppm is IDEAL)
· Once water is balanced add 1 capful of SANI- SPA
· Add 1 capful of NON- CHLORINE SPA SHOCK run spa for 2 hours
· Check water every 2-3 days and add 1-2 capfuls of SANI- SPA as needed.
· Add 1-2 capfuls of NON-CHLORINE SPA SHOCK per week.
· Remove and clean filters once a month with a garden hose with a pressure nozzle.
· Drain spa every 4 months and soaks filters in filter cleaner over night. Then rinse filters with a hose and replace, and start at step 1 all over again. TURN OFF POWER PRIOR TO DRAINING.
* WHAT TO DO FIRST?
PH▲ AND ALK▼ ADJUST ALKALINITY FIRST
PH▲ ANDALK▼ ADJUST PH FIRST
PH▼ AND ALK▼ ADJUST ALKALINITY FIRST
PH ▼ AND ALK ▲ ADJUST ALKALINITY FIRST
· WAIT 2-4 HOURS IN BETWEEN ADJUSTING PH AND ALKALINITY
SPA START –UP WITH NATURE 2 SYSTEM
· MAKE SURE SPA IS CLEAN
· Fill spa with fresh water to middle of skimmer
· Test pH and alkalinity and balance accordingly*
· Ph should be between 7.4-7.8 (7.6 is IDEAL) Alkalinity should be between 100-150 ppm (120 ppm is IDEAL)
· Once water is balanced add Nature 2 cartridge to skimmer tray. Add 1 capful of SANI- SPA to activate Nature 2
· Add 2 capful of NON- CHLORINE SPA SHOCK run spa for 2 hours
· Check water every 2-3 days and add 1-2 capfuls of SANI- SPA as needed.
· Add 1-2 capfuls of NON-CHLORINE SPA SHOCK EVERY time you use your spa. Check water every 2-3 days to maintain proper MPS levels.
· Remove and clean filters once a month with a garden hose with a pressure nozzle.
· Drain spa every 4 months and soaks filters in filter cleaner over night. Then rinse filters with a hose and replace, and start at step 1 all over again. TURN OFF POWER PRIOR TO DRAINING.
* WHAT TO DO FIRST?
PH▲ AND ALK▼ ADJUST ALKALINITY FIRST
PH▲ ANDALK▼ ADJUST PH FIRST
PH▼ AND ALK▼ ADJUST ALKALINITY FIRST
PH ▼ AND ALK ▲ ADJUST ALKALINITY FIRST
· WAIT 2-4 HOURS IN BETWEEN ADJUSTING PH AND ALKALINITY
SPA START-UP BROMINE SYSTEM
· MAKE SURE SPA IS CLEAN
· Fill spa with fresh water to middle of skimmer
· Test pH and alkalinity and balance accordingly *
· Ph should be between 7.4-7.8 (7.6 is IDEAL)
· Alkalinity should be between 100-150 ppm (120 ppm is IDEAL)
· Once water is balanced add 5-6 bromine tablets to floater.
· Add recommended dosage of BROM START. Run spa for 2 hours.
· Check water every 2-3 days and maintain Bromine level at 2-4 ppm.
· Add 1-2 capfuls of NON-CHLORINE SPA SHOCK per week.
· Remove and clean filters once a month with a garden hose with a pressure nozzle.
· Drain spa every 4 months and soaks filters in filter cleaner over night. Then rinse filters with a hose and replace, and start at step 1 all over again. TURN OFF POWER PRIOR TO DRAINING.