Pool & Spa Tips - Swimming Pool Treatments

 

Why do we Sanitise Pool & Spa Water?

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The primary reason that we treat pool and spa water with sanitizing chemicals is to prevent swimmers and bathers from getting sick. Untreated pool and spa water is the perfect environment for the growth and proliferation of potentially dangerous bacteria. These bacteria can cause infections and lead to such diseases as Poliomyelitis, Meningitis and “Swimmers Ear”. Bacteria control is simply a matter of adding a sanitiser (usually chlorine) regularly, and then filtering all of the pool or spa water to remove the dead bacteria. It is important to ensure that any new bacteria entering the water is met by a chlorine residual in sufficient concentration so that it is killed in as short a time as possible.

The primary sources of bacteria entering the water are swimmers and bathers. Also top up water, debris such as leaves, grass etc. and animals can contribute significantly to the bacteria levels. A large dog can contaminate as much as 20 times the volume of water that a human can. It is generally accepted that most bacteria will be killed when exposed to a “free chlorine” residual of between 1 and 2 milligrams per litre (mg/l).

 

The Three Keys to Effective Sanitation

1. Balanced Water

2. Correct Levels of Sanitiser (Chlorine)

3. Effective Water Circulation and Filtration

 

1. Balanced Water

It is critical to use a test kit regularly to check for free chlorine, total chlorine, pH and total alkalinity. Free Chlorine should be checked daily whilst pH and Total Alkalinity should be checked weekly.

2. Correct levels of Sanitiser

During summer or heavy use it is important to maintain adequate levels of free chlorine in your pool. Check and dose your pool daily if necessary according to label instructions. Incorrect levels of chlorine can result in green or black spot algae, cloudy water or objectionable odours. Remember that after heavy use of a pool most of the free chlorine will have dissipated through swimmers clothing and skin.

3. Effective Water Circulation and Filtration

Pool water must be circulated for maximum chemical effectiveness. The better the circulation, the harder it is for bacteria and algae to grow. Algae and bacteria growth is greatly stimulated by hot weather, sunlight, insufficient sanitizer levels and ‘dead spots’ areas near corners where circulation is poor. The removal if dirt and suspended matter by filtration reduced the extra load ib the chlorine to get the water clean, Filtration is a physical process and should not be confused with disinfection. The capacity if the pump and filter should be large enough to turn over the whole volume of pool water within 5 to 6 hours.
 

Summer Start Up Program

It is important at the start of the swimming pool season to ensure your pool balance is correct in order to maximise the effectiveness of chlorine and other pool chemicals.

Following are some strategies to prepare your pool for the peak summer season:
 

1. Check pH and maintain between 7.2 and 7.8. Use Aquahealth pH Increaser or pH decreaser to adjust pH if necessary.

2. Add Aquahealth Sunscreen to reduce the loss of chlorine by sunlight.

3. Check your free chlorine levels and find the right balance of sanitiser to your pool. Use either Aquahealth Super 650 / Super 700 or Aquahealth Liquid Chlorine to maintain your pool on a daily basis.

4. Prevent Algae Growth – Rather than treat algae why not use a preventative algae treatment for the peak season such as Aquahealth Algatrol or Aquahealth Starver

5. Efficient, sufficient and regular filtration.

6. Good housekeeping, by keeping the skimmer and pump baskets clear of leaves, regular vacuuming of the pool, and regular cleaning of the filter.

7. The use of quality water treatment products such as the Aquahealth Chemical Range

8. Have your pool water tested regularly

 

What are the different chlorine products?

The key differences in chlorine products is the level of chlorine concentration and the whether it is a fast or slow release formula. Fast release chlorines tend to be lower in concentration but have a more immediate effect (Liquid Chlorine) whilst slow release formulas have a high concentration (Giant Tabs)
 

SanitiserChlorine LevelProfile

Granular Chlorine65% - 70%Fast Release, mix with water

Stabilized Chlorine56%Fast Release, protects against UV dissipation.
Save up to 50% chlorine

Liquid Chlorine10%Very Fast Release, directly into pool

Giant Tabs90%Slow Release in floating dispenser,
convenient, low maintenance