Tip:To make efficient use of your swimming pool chemicals, managing good water balance is the main factor

Before adding swimming pool chemicals it is important that you read and familiarise yourself with the workings of your spa / pool and support equipment. A clear, clean fresh spa or pool is only possible if you have good filtration and clear water flow

The first step in treatment is to ensure good water balance, which will create the right conditions for bather comfort, chemical efficiency and equipment protection. There are three major factors affecting water balance, they are pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness

Calcium hardness

Hardness is the measurement of calcium salts in the swimming pool or spa water and this will vary depending where you live. Low calcium hardness levels (soft water) can lead to corrosion of the materials of construction. Hard water (water high in calcium) can lead to limescale foriming in your pipes and equipment
Calcium Hardness Guide Measures
•    Ideal calcium hardness levels are between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
•    When the level is below 75 ppm (mg/l), apply Hardness Plus
•    When the measurement exceeds 200 ppm (mg/l), apply Scale Inhibitor.

pH Measures

pH can range from 1 to 14 where 1 is very acid and 14 very alkaline It is essential to maintain spa water within the 7.2 – 7.6 range which, because it is slightly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and provide the optimum conditions for the people enjoying the pool or spa and also ensures  the best sanitiser efficiency.
•    Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
•    When the level is below use pH Plus
•    When the measurement is greater than 7.6 apply pH Minus
Note
pH can be tricky to manage in spas as the system water turns over fast, is very agitated and is at higher temperature than swimming pool systems. [All these factors

pH rises can be caused by this which causes chlorine products such as chlorine shock to lose effectiveness. Much higher doses of chlorine sanitisers such as will then be required. avoid this problem by using Bromine. Bromine works effectively over a wider pH range than chlorine Unlike chlorine, bromine keeps working in a spa for longer and so helps you minimise your spa chemicalsuse

Total Alkalinity

pH Changes are buffered by total alkalinity If TA levels are too low the pH will fluctuate widely.
If Total alkalinity is too high then water clarity can be affected but it also makes it difficult to make changes to water pH levels
•    optimum Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it is below 80mg/l use Alkalinity Plus
•    When Total Alkalinity is above 140mg/l remedy it with pH Minus to reduce it
You should definitely check your water balance on a regular basis as it is the basis for your other chemical treatments

Use Test strips to measure your water balance, they are very easy to use

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By Pool Chemicals Care , Online Pool Chemicals

Balance

Keeping the right equilibrium of swimming pool chemicals in your water is essential to a sanitary swimming pool and getting an enjoyable swim many times. Your water will keep looking and smelling fresh and, most importantly, the growth of bacteria and algae will be kept to a low level, this will ensure that everyone can enjoy your pool in safety.

Starting

The initial step is to make sure that the water has the right mix of chemicals when you fill. A swimming pool chemicals starter kit could be the best thing to use here to have confidence that you get it right from the start, and there is a large selection available on the market just like the ones we manufacture and distribute from our swimming pool and spa chemicals store.

After this you need to make sure you test using a testing kit. This makes sure you get the right balance of chemicals

{To let you get the best from your swimming pool or spa it is important that the water is tested on a regular basis and you make sure you keep it in a healthy state. This can be achieved simply by the regular use of pool treatment chemicals. The testing of the pool / spa water will at first seem daunting, however test kits are easy to follow and will give quick reliable results. }

The basic tests are
1.     pH
2.     Alkalinity
3.     Sanitiser (Free Chlorine or Bromine)

Manual Inspection
1.     Investigate the pool water for a clear appearance, and ensure it is clear.

Additional Tests
1.     Calcium hardness
2.     Combined chlorine
3.     Copper levels

To assist you , you can always record your results and the chemical additions that you make.
Remember to test the water again after the addition of chemicals to ensure you have reached the correct chemical levels.

Don’t Forget

* If the water is cloudy then it is not safe to swim, people cannot see the bottom and might dive into shallow water!
* People in difficulty under the surface of thewater might not be visible!
* Cloudy water is a sign that there is a problem with the treatment.

Sanitation is the main reason for using swimming pool chemicals. Left not treated, a sports pool can become a breeding ground for bacteria and algae. The algae can affect the pool but the bacteria can make you sick!

The answer is a sanitiser like Bromine or Chlorine. Make sure that the levelsare maintained all the time and the level should be monitored and supplemented weekly or when required. Remember, if you want to decrease the levels, just put more water to your pool to dilute the chlorine. There are a number of options for delivering the Chlorine to your pool. Try using slow dissolving tablets in conjunction with a chlorinator or, alternatively, a floater. You will need to be careful that the floater stays in your swimming pool though!

Twice a month you will also need to dose your swimming pool with extra pool chemicals to deal with the waste by-products left by the Chlorine, i.e. the dead bacteria and algae. Most will, of course, have been removed by your filtration system but some will remain and degrade leading to unpleasant smells and skin and eye irritation. You should soon know when this is appropriate because your water will appear , you can use clarifiers and flocculents to sort this out.

When testing your pool, watch the ph levels. This measures the acidity in your pool. The balance needs to be kept stable to enable the Chlorine to work efficiently. After that, an efficient pool filtration system will help you to keep your water clean and sanitary. This is the key to an enjoyable swim every time!

By  checking online for Swimming Pool Chemicals or other Pool Accessories you can find great deals at wholesale prices.

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If you're lucky enough to own a private swimming pool, spa or hot tub. Then you'll know that it's essential to keep your pool clean to use. To do this, you have to use swimming pool chemicals. Most people will know about pool chemicals, but do they know how potentially dangerous they can be?

Swimming pool chemicals can be dangerous, and even deadly. On January 14th at Clear Lake High School in Texas, 5 workers were taken to hospital after one of the 5, a contractor, mixed 2 chemicals together. The gases given off by the chemicals gave the contractor a head ache. He and four other school employees were sent to hospital.

Another example, which had the potential to harm alot more than 5 people, was in Ceres, a home depot store. The store was evactuated after a fire began in the Garden Center part of the store. The fire then spread to pool chemical containers which were then damaged, releasing toxic fumes into the store. Chlorine and other chemicals were released, however, the fire was contained thanks to the stores sprinkler system.

Only one person was injured due to the fumes, however, if the sprinkler system has not proven to be affective, then the fire could have become even more serious as more chemicals became involved.

These 2 stories show how dangerous and lethal swimming pool chemicals can be. So, how can you protect your family from these chemicals.

Here are a few tips to help you stay safe when using and storing pool chemicals:

• Never smoke when using pool chemicals.
• Never mix chemicals.
• Wear protective glasses when handling pool chemicals.
• Store the chemicals in a cool, dry space and out of direct sunlight.
• Make sure the chemicals are out of the reach of pets and children.
• Never store the chemicals above an adults head height.
• Always store liquid chemicals below powder chemicals.
• After handling pool chemicals, always wash your hands.

Those were just a few tips on how you can help to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of swimming pool chemicals.

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If you have been lucky in life and been able to buy your own swimming pool, spa or hot tub. You will know the importance of having a filtration system within your pool.

Due to the importance of having a filter in your pool. You should always ensure that it is working, if your filtration system stops working without you knowing, your pool could soon become dangerous to use and maybe even deadly.

The first sign that your filter system has stopped working is that dirt will begin to collect at the bottom of the pool, this is simply because the pool is not being cleaned by the filter system, maybe not dangerous or life threatening, but certainly not pleasant 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 filtration system stops working, the chlorine, used to kill bacteria, within your pool can stop circulating, this means that chlorine 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, as you have seen, 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 cover on the filter. If you don't then this too can become a hazard. If a person 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 few tips that you should follow for maintaining your swimming pool and keeping it safe to use.

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