by lastminutetravel | January 28th, 2010
Tip:To make efficient use of your swimming pool chemicals, managing good water balance is the main factor
Make sure that you understand the workings of your swimming pool or spa before adding any swimming pool chemicals A clear, clean fresh spa or pool is only possible if you have good filtration and clear water flow
The first step in treatment is to ensure good water balance, which will create the right conditions for bather comfort, chemical efficiency and equipment protection. The main criteria affecting water balance are calcium hardness, pH and Total Alkalinity.
Calcium hardness
Hardness is the measurement of calcium salts in the swimming pool or spa water and this will vary depending where you live. Low calcium hardness can cause damage to your pool materials. Hard water (water high in calcium) can lead to limescale foriming in your pipes and equipment
these are guideline levels
• Ideal calcium hardness levels are between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
• If the level drops below 75 ppm (mg/l), apply Hardness Plus
• If the measurement is above 200 ppm (mg/l), apply Scale Inhibitor.
pH Measures
pH can range from 1 to 14 where 1 is very acid and 14 very alkaline Make sure you keep your water within the 7.2-7.6 range which, being slightly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and create the perfect conditions for the swimmers using the pool or spa and also ensures maximum chemical efficiency.
• Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
• If the level is below use pH Plus
• If the level is above 7.6 apply pH Minus
Note
pH can be tricky to control in spas as the system water turns over quickly, is highly agitated and is at higher temperature than swimming pools. [All these factors
This can lead to rises in pH which reduces the performance of chlorine sanitisers like chlorine tablets. Much higher doses of chlorine sanitisers such as will then be required. avoid this problem by using Bromine. Bromine works effectively over a wider pH range than chlorine Bromine also remains in the spa for longer than chlorine so it reduces the quantity of hot tub chemicals you use.
Total Alkalinity
Total alkalinity works to buffer pH changes If TA levels are too low the pH will fluctuate widely.
If Total alkalinity is too high then water clarity can be affected but it also makes it difficult to make changes to water pH levels
• optimum Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it drops below 80mg/l use Alkalinity Plus
• When Total Alkalinity is above 140mg/l remedy it with pH Minus to reduce it
You should definitely check your water balance on a regular basis as it is the basis for your other chemical treatments
Use Test strips to measure your water balance, they are very easy to use
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