OVERVIEW

      Maintaining a swimming pool can be compared to a three legged stool. It requires proper pH, adequate chlorine residual, and sufficient filtration. If one of the legs is absent then the stool cannot stand nor can the pool have the appearance the pool operator can expect.

A good test kit is the most important tool a pool operator can have. It tells simple and quickly the pH level and the chlorine residual. The test kit should be used daily when the pool is started. Later it can be used less frequently but every pool should be tested at least 3 times a week, and adjustments in pH and chlorine residual made when indicated. Do not carry test solutions over from year to year. Always buy fresh solutions every season.

       pH refers to the acidic or basic nature of the pool water. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. 0 is a strong acid, and 14 is a strong base. 7 is neutral.  Proper pH should be in the range of 7.2-7.8 (slightly basic).  If the pH is below 7.2 then the water does not hold chlorine, is irritating to the swimmer, and corrosive to the pipes, pump, and filter.  If the pH is above 7.8 the activity of the chlorine is inhibited and the water is uncomfortable.  pH can be kept easily in the proper range by the addition of Nat-Chlor® pH Increaser to raise pH or Nat-Chlor® pH Reducer to lower pH.  Because many pool problems can be traced to improper pH, the importance of pH cannot be over-emphasized. Always keep pH in the proper range of 7.2-7.8 to avoid possible complications.
       Chlorine residuals refers to the p.p.m (parts per million) of chlorine present in pool water. The chlorine kills the germs and algae that are introduced into the pool by swimmers or airborne particles. Through the use of Nat-Chlor® Conditioner, which prevents sunlight from dissipating chlorine, and Nat-Chlor® Stabilized Chlorine Tablets, the proper chlorine residual is maintained at all times and effectively treats any impurities that enter the pool.  

       Condition the pool by adding 3 pounds of Nat-Chlor® Conditioner to every 10,000 gallons of water.  This will impart 35 p.p.m of conditioner.  This is done only once for the life of the water, since stabilized chlorine tablets make up for a conditioner loss due to splash out and backwashing, (each tablet contains a measure of conditioner). Nat-Chlor® can test your water each spring to tell you how much conditioner is present. After Conditioning, successful pool operation depends upon sufficient tablets being used to provide continuous chlorine residuals between feedings. A chlorine test should show a good chlorine residual prior to adding the required dosage. The dosages recommended on the label are offered as a general guide. Each pool must be dosed according to its individual chlorine demands, which are affected by bathing load, exposure, water temperature, etc.

       The third requirement is adequate filtration to remove floating or suspended particles from the water. Impurities that sink to the bottom can be removed by vacuuming. Filters should run at least 12 hours a day and continuous filtration is desirable.  Roughly 25% of all pool problems are filter related.

       Particular attention should be paid to a pool after heavy rainfall. The various materials carried into the pool by the rain are likely to upset pH and chlorine residuals which results in the strong possibility of algae becoming established. Always check pH and add extra chlorine after a rainfall.  If the pool is being treated with Slow Tabs add some Nat-Chlor® Pool Shock after each rainfall.
        
       Of all the requirements needed for properly balanced pool water, the least understood is Total Alkalinity.  Total Alkalinity is related to, but not the same as pH. The difference is that pH measures a certain type of dissolved alkaline solid present in pool water, and Total Alkalinity indicates the total amount of all dissolved alkaline solids present in pool water.  To illustrate this, imagine 2 school buses. One bus has 3 children in it ages 7,8, and 9.  The other bus has 30 children in it, ten of whom are 7, ten of whom are 8, and ten who are 9. The average age in both buses is 8, which in this comparison would be the pH, but it can be easily seen that this number doesn't tell the entire story. Certainly the bus with fewer children (lower alkalinity) can have a lot more children put into it than the other bus and also the addition of one 6 year old to the bus with the 3 children will move the average age (pH) much more than the addition of a 6 year old to thecrowded bus. To sum up, pool water even with the proper pH range, can exhibit qualities that are undesirable due to unsufficient alkalinity. These are pH bounce and "aggressiveness" which gives water a strong desire to attack whatever it can, which even results in metals corroding out of the pool plumbing. Pool water should have at least 100-150 p.p.m of total Alkalinity and the proper pH range of 7.2-7.8. This is done by adding Nat-Chlor® Total Acid/Alkalinity Powder in the amount necessary to raise the Total Alkalinity to a level of 125 p.p.m. At this level, the pool has developed a strong buffer which will resist future pH change. Jersey Chemical can test Total Alkalinity for you.
        
      Last but not least is Calcium Hardness. Water can be corrosive if the Calcium Hardness is low and can be scale-forming if too high.  The proper range of 200-275 p.p.m is recommended and can be attained by the addition of Nat-Chlor® Aqua Kleer.  Lowering Calcium Hardness can be done by adding Nat-Chlor® Super Metal Eliminator or by dilution with water having a lower Calcium level.  High Calcium Hardness levels are usually found in pools using Calcium based Chlorines.
       
      Nat-Chlor® has the facilities and the experience to help you with individual problems.  In addition, the staff at Nat-Chlor® will gladly offer additional advice to anyone if further help is required.


THE APPEARANCE OF A POOL

     A properly maintained pool should be crystal clear with sparkling blue water, as seen below.  If it is not clear, or the water is not blue, a condition exists in the pool that calls for corrective action. Sometimes the fault is not with the pool operator, as very often tap water which looks clear in a glass does not give the same effect in a larger body of water: water is very often green or brown, contains sediment or dissolved impurities. At other times, it is neglect or lack of knowledge on the part of the pool operator which causes problems. In any case, these conditions can be corrected with the proper additions of corrective chemicals and patience.  It sometimes takes 4 or 5 days or longer to regain proper pool balance.

COMMON PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

Before starting with the addition of chemicals to improve the condition of the water, make sure there are no mechanical problems with the pool equipment.

CHECKLIST

1. Hoses and pipes should be free of kinks and obstructions which may effect circulation. 2. Check for air leaks and loose connections in hose or pipe.
3. Make sure pump is properly primed and delivers a strong flow of water.
4. Check inside filter for proper amount of filter media whether it is a cartridge, diatomaceous earth, or sand.

COMMON POOL PROBLEMS

A. CLOUDY WATER --
(1) check pH and chlorine residual and adjust if necessary.
(2) Add Nat-Chlor® Pool Shock.
(3) Filter continuously using Nat-Chlor® Super Clarifier. If pool does not respond after 4-5 days of continuous filtration with high chlorine residuals, add Nat-Chlor® Super Clarifier which will precipitate the cloudiness and then vacuum the waste.

B. GREEN, MURKY WATER -- Often accompanied by formation of slime on walls and floors.
(1) Check pH and adjust if necessary. There is rarely a chlorine residual when pool is in this condition as algae quickly consumes all the chlorine present.
(2) Add Nat-Chlor® Algaecide.
(3) Add Nat-Chlor® Pool Shock.
(4) After 48 hours brush walls down and remove dead algae from pool by vacuuming. Maintain continuous high chlorine residual with Nat-Chlor® Shock or additional doses of Nat-Chlor® tablets. Filter continuously and backwash when necessary.

C. CLEAR GREEN WATER --
(1) Check total Alkalinity and adjust if necessary to the range of 100-150 p.p.m.
(2) Add Nat-Chlor® Super Metal Eliminator as directed.
(3) Maintain high chlorine residual of at least 2.0 p.p.p.
(4) Filter continuously.
(5) Maintain proper pH.

D. INABILITY TO MAINTIAN CHLORINE RESIDUAL --
(1) Check to see that the conditioner level is at least 30 p.p.m. and adjust if necessary. (2) Check to see that pH is in the range 7.2-7.8 and adjust if necessary.
(3) Triple dose for 3 days.
(4) Return to normal dose.

E. BROWN WATER --
(1) Check Total Alkalinity and adjust if necessary.
(2) Add Nat-Chlor® Super Metal Eliminator or Metalout Plus As Directed.
(3) Filter continuously.
(4) Maintain proper pH and chlorine residual.

F. WATER IS HAZY OR LACKS SPARKLING QUALITY --
(1) Check Total Alkalinity and adjust if necessary.
(2) Check pH and chlorine residual and adjust if necessary.
(3) Add Nat-Chlor® Super Clarifier as directed and filter continuously.

G. BLACK SPOTS ON WALLS AND FLOOR OF POOL -- This is black algae.
(1) Use Nat-Chlor® Algaecide 60 Plus.