Guidelines for clean, balanced pool water
Spring brings with it a sense of growth and renewal. Ambient temperatures are slowly rising and the main summer attraction, the pool, is patiently waiting to come into focus. Before you send out invitations for your annual pool party, it is important to prepare the pool, clean it and balance the water so everyone can enjoy a safe, healthy swim. This article will review the various actions required to balance the pool water using Magen eco-Energy salt chlorinators.
First and foremost, it is essential to confirm that all materials and accessories required for the proper operation of the pool are available, amongst them - salt, water chemistry testing gear and hydrochloric acid.
Before opening the pool for swimming it is important to perform the following: rinse filters (it is recommended to rinse and clean the filters routinely not only at the beginning of the season), clean the pump and electrolysis cell (if scale deposits are visible), test that the equipment is functioning properly, clean the machine room and calibrate the pH sensor (if available).
Balancing pool water and maintaining its chemistry levels is essential for the health and wellness of bathers and for ensuring pool is in fact undergoing sanitation. Therefore, an integral and vital part of pool preparations is testing the pools' water quality. Water must be tested for the following: salt levels, free chlorine and combined chlorine levels, pH and cyanuric acid. All of these values must be balanced according to local health codes and as detailed in the salt chlorinator installation manual. Pool water should be tested every two days, especially before a party or a special occasion with high bathers load to ensure values are still in the sanitizing range. If needed, water should be re-balanced. Testing and measuring equipment can be purchased from a pool professional or a local pool shop near you.
Salt is added to the pool in correlation to its size, precise quantities can be calculated with the help of our online calculator to ensure salinity levels reach 3,500ppm. Now, that pool water is balanced, the salt chlorinator can be switched on to monitor and maintain the healthy swimming environment created.
Important tips and emphasizes:
• Salt chlorinator hours should be in direct correlation to hours when water is warmed by the sun. During peak season it should operate 8-12 hours a day. If the pool blanket is stored away, it is recommended for the chlorinator to operate continuously from sunrise to sunset.
• If winter winds caused dust and debris to settle in the pool, it is recommended to perform a process called "WASTE". Shift the six way valve on top of the filter to WASTE. This procedure should be performed only in severe cases when large amount of dirt and debris accumulates. Quantities that the cleaning robot has a hard time to handle, therefore manual intervention is required to drain part of the pool water and dirt away from the filter. Pump will suck the dirt and drain it directly to the sewage or open grounds (depending on local codes in your region). After waste has been drained from the pool, water level must be restored and water balanced. In pools with skimmers, it is important to be efficient during the WASTE procedure and end before water level falls under the skimmers. If dust and debris still remain in the pool, the process can be repeated the next day and after water levels have been restored.
• When algae accumulates in pool water, it is recommended to perform a process called super chlorination (increased sanitation) in order to release the free chlorine and create clear water. In pool using chemicals it is also referred to as "chlorine shock". The super chlorination process is required only if the pool has been neglected when not in use, and water was not tested nor balanced during that time period (often happens during winter). In a pool using salt chlorinator the chlorine generator uses electrolysis to continuously produce free chlorine. Simply press the Turbo button for 12 hours. In a balanced pool the Turbo mode will solve the problem.
• Own an overflow pool? Make sure water is not lost from the pool. If the pool has a leak, a quick, substantial drop in salt levels in the water will be seen when tested. Water loss causes higher chemical demand, decrease of salinity in the water, decrease of chlorine production and an increase of acid consumption, (up to a container a week) as a result of the heighten acid consumption, lime-scale build up; Therefore it is important to locate water loss quickly and fix it ASAP.
We wish you all a safe and healthy swim season.
