Maintenance Programme

Shock Dosing

This is an essential part of any maintenance programme, especially at the start of a season or if algae is present. This refers to giving 2-3 times the normal daily dose of chlorine. Bluewater granular or liquid chlorine is great for this purpose.

Shock dosing should be carried out at a minimum of every 3 weeks to prevent bacteria and algae becoming resistant to the usual daily dose. Shock dosing is a safe procedure but should be done after, not before, swimming. Allow chlorine level to drop to around 1 p.p.m before swimming.

Filtration

The filter, during summer should operate on a daily basis to remove debris from the water.  For most outdoor pools, the filter should beable to process the water twice a day. On average the filter should run for 1 hour per 4000 litres of water.

Floccing

If your pool water becomes cloudy or murky, and the filter is not cleaning adequately, then the water can be returned to pristine condition with a flocculation agent such as Bluewater Superfloc.

Salt Pools

All salt pools require water balance too. Adjust according to the steps 1 & 2 and use a shock dose of chlorine if necessary.

Poolcare Guide For Your Pool

SAFE HANDLING

  • Keep all chlorine and other chemicals in a cool dry place out of reach of children.
  • Do NOT mix chemicals.
  • Do NOT interchange container caps.
  • Add chemicals to water.
  • NEVER water to chemicals.

FIRST AID

  • Immediately flush with water if chemicals contaminate eyes or skin..
  • If ingested DO NOT induce vomiting.
  • Give plenty of milk or water.
  • Seek medical advice.
  • Call the Hazardous Substance.
  • Emergency Line on 0800 243 622.

Bluewater Poolcare
PO Box 3983
Auckland 1140
Ph. 0800 258 3928
Fax. 09 309 9264
Email. poolcareorders@chempro.co.nz
www.bluewaterpoolcare.co.nz

checmical

Common Poolcare Questions

WHY DO POOLS GET DIRTY?
On a day to day basis your pool gets inundated with bacteria and dirt from a variety of sources. People, dirt, new water and algae can cause a pool to lose it’s clear appearance and contain harmful bacteria.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR POOL CLEAN?
Using a combination of Bluewater chlorine sanitisers and filtration, you should have no problems maintaining a clean and safe pool. Bluewater chlorine works instantly and effectively to kill algae and bacteria. Pollutants such as dead algae and dirt in the water can be effectively removed through filtration. Then using your vacuum you can remove any particles that have sunk to the bottom of the pool.
WATER BALANCE?
Water balance is the relationship between pH,total alkalinity and calcium harness. Water quality can vary widely depending on it’s source. If you fill your pool by tap, bore or rainwater you will have to treat it differently to obtain ideal pool conditions. Maintaining water balance is important as if the pH is stable your pool will be more economical to run as your chlorine will work efficiently to sanitise the water and kill algae. It is important to keep the pool physically clean with your filter and vacuum as chemicals cannot remove dirt.
HOW TO BALANCE POOL WATER?
There are four steps to balancing pool water:
1. Adjust Total Alkalinity
2. Adjust pH
3. Check calcium hardness
4. Treat with Chlorine

HOW TO TEST POOL WATER?
To keep water balance stable, testing once a week is necessary using either: Pool and Spa testing strips or a DPD test kit which is great for pools under heavier use.

Step 1: Adjust Total Alkalinity
This acts as a buffer against sudden changes in water pH; changes could occur from heavy rainfall. The ideal levels for alkalinity should be from 120-150p.p.m for granular and stabilised pool chlorine and from 150-200p.p.m for chlorine tablets.

Step 2: Adjust pH Level
pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity in water and is measured on a scale of 0-14.
· Below 7 is acidic
· Above 7 is alkaline
· pH at 7 is neutral

If water has a low pH it could cause eye or skin irritation, corrosion of fittings and excessive use of chlorine sanitiser. Water with high pH can cause eye irritation, cloudy water, scale formation and decrease in algae-killing efficiency of chlorine.
Adjust to between 7.2-7.6 using Bluewater pH increase or Bluewater pH decrease.

Step 3: Adjust Calcium Hardness
Calcium hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium in your pool water. Levels will depend on water source and should be checked at the beginning of the pool season. The ideal range is from 100-300p.p.m. Use Bluewater Water hardener to increase low hardness levels.

Step 4: Chlorine Treatment
Rapidly killing bacteria and algae, chlorine is a highly effective sanitiser. It works most efficiently in a pH range between 7.2-7.6and can be lost rapidly from the pool in high temperatures, sunlight and when the pool is in constant use. A chlorine level of 1p/p/. Is necessary to maintain a germ-free pool. Use your test strips or kit to determine the level of chlorine present. Add chlorine in the evenings for a more effective treatment.

WHICH CHLORINE?
Bluewater Poolcare offers four different types of chlorine to suit any pools needs. Granular Pool Chlorine
– Calcium Hypochlorite Stabilised Pool Chlorine
– Sodium Dichloroisocyanuric Acid Tablets
– Trichloroisocyanuric Acid Liquid
– Sodium Hypochlorite