Posts Tagged ‘spa chemicals’
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 pool chemicals Good water circulation and filtration are essential to achieving a safe and clear bathing environment.
Water balance is the first thing to establish when treating your pool or spa. This helps make sure the later stps like sanitation are effective and use the minimum chemicals required There are three major factors affecting water balance, they are pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness
Calcium hardness
Hardness depends on the levels of calcium salt in your water. This depends on where you live Low calcium hardness can cause damage to your pool materials. High calcium hardness levels (hard water) often leads to the formation of scale in pipe work and equipment.
these are guideline levels
• Calcium Hardness should be between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
• When the measurement is below 75 ppm (mg/l), apply Hardness Plus
• When the measurement is above 200 ppm (mg/l), apply Scale Inhibitor.
pH Measures
The pH scale has a range of 1 – 14 with 1 being very acidic, 7 being neutral and 14 being very alkaline. Make sure you keep your water within the 7.2-7.6 range which, being mildly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and create the ideal environment for bather comfort
• Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
• When the measurement drops below apply pH Plus
• When the measurement exceeds 7.6 apply pH Minus
Note
pH in Spas can be difficult to manage because the water is pumped fast and the temperature is higher. These issues mean pH can vary more than with a pool
This can lead to rises in pH which reduces the performance of chlorine sanitisers like chlorine shock. Significantly greater doses of chlorine sanitiser are then needed avoid this problem by using Bromine. Bromine works effectively over a wider pH range than chlorineIt is also less volatile than chlorine and will remain in the spa for a longer period reducing your spa chemical usage and ensuring hygienic conditions prevail.
Total Alkalinity
Total alkalinity works to buffer pH changes The water pH varies drastically when Total Alkalinity levels are very low
• Ideal Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it is below 80mg/l use Alkalinity Plus
• When Total Alkalinity is greater than 140mg/l remedy it with pH Minus to reduce it
The balance of the water needs to be monitored regularly because it is essential to the effectiveness of your other treatments
Test Strips/kits are available for you to test the water regularly.
If you have been lucky in life and been able to buy your own swimming pool, spa or hot tub. You will know that having a filter system in your pool is very important.
Due to the importance of having a filter system in your swimming pool. You should always make sure that it is working, if your filter system breaks down without you knowing, your pool could soon become deadly.
The first sign that your filter has stopped working is that dirt will begin to collect at the bottom of the pool, this is because the pool is not being cleaned by the filter, maybe not dangerous or life threatening, but certainly not fun to swim in.
The biggest reason why your filter system should always stay active is to circulate the swimming pool chemicals, such as chlorine. If your filter system stops working, the chemicals within your pool can stop circulating, this means that they can collect in the pool, making it cloudy to view. However, cloudy water wouldn't be your only worry, because the amount of chlorine has risen, it becomes very dangerous and potentially deadly.
Because chlorine is designed to kill bacteria, if it's in high concentration, it can become poisonous and can damage your skin.
So keeping your pool filter working can be life saving, however, if you have a pool filter or are going to get one, make sure that you have a drain on it. If you don't then this can prove to be a hazard. If a child or an adult gets sucked into the filter, it can seriously injure or even tear someone apart due to the force of the filter.
These are just a couple of tips that you should follow to ensure that your pool is safe and clean to use.