Physical Factors (filtration and circulation)

Chemical Factors (Scale and corrosion control)

Biological Factors (disinfection and algae control)

Disinfection

- Controlling bacteria and viruses in the water that helps to assure the water will be healthy and safe for swimming.

The process of controlling bacteria and viruses in the water that helps to assure the water will be healthy and safe for swimming is known as disinfection, or sometimes sanitation. Disinfection is not to be confused with the control of algae in the pool water, as algaecides are best used for that purpose.

While a wide variety of methods for disinfecting or sanitizing pools are available in the market, the two most common methods are chlorine and bromine. Over the recent past, other processes have also gained more attention. These include PHMB (biguanide), Ozone and Ionizers. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Chlorine

The most widely used sanitizer for pool disinfection is chlorine, and is available in a number of forms. The following table lists the most commonly used forms of chlorine and some of their characteristics.

Note: Regardless of which form of chlorine is used, all produce the same active sanitizer known as “FREE CHLORINE” when added to water. As this active sanitizer begins to work, it can then take several different forms, not all of which are desirable.

Shock Treatment

- The process of super chlorinating or shocking the water to remove bather contaminants that build up over time.

Regardless of which disinfection system is used, the control of bather and other wastes is critical. For example, one active swimmer produces two pints of perpiration per hour in a pool. Perspiration contains a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants and these will accumulate and combine with chlorine to form the very undesirable combined chlorine form. In bromine systems, although odors and irritation are not a problem with bromamines, the wastes themselves can build up and eventually make water uncomfortable for bathing. The regular removal of these wastes is a must in any system.

The odor that is associated with combined chlorine is often mistakenly referred to as “too much chlorine in the water”, but actually indicates that there is too little. The best way to remove these wastes is with regular oxidation. To destroy these wastes, we use either Super Chlorination or Shock Treatment.

We use the phrase “super chlorination” when referring to the use of a sudden large dose of chlorine to destroy wastes. Conversely, the phrase “shock treatment” refers to the use of non-chlorine type shock. In either case, the goal is to destroy and remove bather waste in addition to preventing formation of combined chlorine or accumulation of irritating waste products.

Algae Control

-Preventative tips for keeping algae from starting.

The final biological factor that must be considered is algae growth. Algae growth is perhaps the most obvious sign of something gone wrong in pool maintenance.

Proper maintenance will not only keep you water looking great, but also allow for easy prevention of algae growth

There are two basic groups of algae:

1. Free-floating types including green algea and mustard algae varieties. These tend to be found throughout the water. While they may cling or settle on surfaces such as walls and floors, they are not usually affixed to them. They tend to color a water body cloudy green or yellow.

2. Black algae is the common name or term given to the dark blue-green algae found growing on pool surfaces. Black algae growth in localized areas such as along one wall, in the deep end, in a corner or around obstacles such as steps indicates an area of pool circulation.

The growth of both types of algae can be easily prevented by using a quality algaecide as part of a regular maintenance program, and by proper circulation. It takes far less algaecide to prevent algae growth from getting started than it will to cure it once it has occurred

The regular use of algaecide is also recommended to prevent problems should a failure of the disinfection program occurs. Due to the volatile nature of chlorine or bromine, these residuals can often be lost very quickly in pools due to equipment or operator error or by heavy rainfall or bather waste demand. If this occurs without an algaecide present, the rapid growth of algae can occur in a few hours. However, if an algeacide is present, it will acti as algae growth prevention until the sanitizer system is functioning normally.

Proper chemical treatment is needed in order to prevent a wide range of potential problems including scale and stain formation, colored or cloudy water, corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment and to assure proper performance of the sanitizer being used.

There are five chemical factors that affect water quality. These are listed below in order of importance along with their ideal levels.

The first three, along with the temperature of the water, determine the overall “Water Balance”. Water balance is the term used to refer to the tendency of the water to be either “scale forming” or “corrosive or aggressive”.

Solution
Clean filter with FILTER CLEANSE or FILTER FRESH. Brush affected areas. Use ALGIMYCIN 2000 , ALGIMYCIN YELLOW or STRIKE OUT algaecide. Use DROP ‘N VAC to help remove dead algae.

Preventative Maintenance
Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of ALGIMYCIN 2000 weekly to prevent algae growth.

Solution
Use SEQUA-SOL to suspend and inactivate stain causing minerals. For extreme cases, use SUPER SEQUA-SOL.

Preventative Maintenance
Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of SEQUA-SOL on a weekly basis.

Solution
Use ALGIMYCIN 2000 or ALGIMYCIN 600 to destroy algae. Use DROP ‘N VAC to help remove dead algae.

Preventative Maintenance
Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of ALGIMYCIN 2000 weekly to prevent algae growth.

Solution
Test pH and total alkalinity. Add pH DOWN as directed. Adjust as required.

Preventative Maintenance
Test frequently and maintain pH of 7.2-7.8 and total alkalinity at 80-120 ppm.

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Possible Cause
Free chlorine residual too low

Solution
Test for chlorine residual and adjust as needed. Shock treat with OXY-BRITE.

Preventative Maintenance
Maintain free chlorine level of 1-3 ppm.

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Possible Cause
Filter not removing small particles

Solution
Use SUPER BLUE to coagulate small particles. Check filter operation.

Preventative Maintenance
Use SUPER BLUE weekly, 1 oz. per 5000 gallons.

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Possible Cause
Backwashing sand filters too often

Solution
Backwash less frequently, only as recommended by filter manufacturer’s directions.

Preventative Maintenance
Use FILTER RINSE each time you backwash.

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Possible Cause
Dissolved metals in water

Solution
Use SEQUA-SOL to control metals in water.

Preventative Maintenance
Use 4 oz. per 10,000 gallons of SEQUA-SOL weekly to prevent staining and scale formation.

Solution
Use SEQUA-SOL or SUPER SEQUA-SOL as directed. Test and adjust pH and total alkalinity.

Preventative Maintenance
Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of SEQUA-SOL on a weekly basis.

Solution
Use STAIN MAGNET to remove stains. Follow treatment with SEQUA-SOL or SUPER SEQUA-SOL to prevent staining.

Preventative Maintenance
Use 8 oz. per 10,000 gallons of SEQUA-SOL weekly to keep metals in solution and prevent staining.

Possible Cause
Unbalanced water.

Solution
Make necessary pH and total alkalinity adjustments.

Preventative Maintenance
Maintain pH of 7.2-7.8, total alkalinity at 80-120 ppm.

Solution
Correct with pH MINUS as directed.

Preventative Maintenance
Use SEQUA-SOL or SUPER SEQUA-SOL weekly to prevent scale-forming calcium from precipitating out of solution.

Possible Cause
Calcium content too high

Solution
Dilute pool water with water of lower hardness. Use SEQUA-SOL or SUPER SEQUA-SOL as directed.

Preventative Maintenance
Use SEQUA-SOL or SUPER SEQUA-SOL weekly to prevent scale-forming calcium from precipitating out of solution.