Question 1

What is a Sanitizer?

Accepted Answer

A sanitizer is used to kill bacteria and inhibit the growth of algae and other organic contaminants. Contaminants can enter your pool by wind, rain, dust and above all else ; swimmers.
The most popular sanitizer is Chlorine.

Question 2

What is the difference between Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine and Combined Chlorine?"

Accepted Answer

Free Chlorine is Chlorine that is available to be used in your pool or spa and not attached to a contaminant.
 
Combined Chlorine is Chlorine that is present in the water however it is combined with a contaminant rendering it useless.
 
Total Chlorine is the sum of Free and Combined Chlorine.

Question 3

What is the difference between Bromine and Chlorine?

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

What is the Difference between a "Salt Pool" and a "Chlorine Pool""

Accepted Answer

A "Salt Pool" is a pool that is chlorinated using a Salt Chlorine Generator. Chlorine is generated through a process of electrolysis when water with an appropriate level of salinity passes through the salt chlorinator to produce an even baseline of chlorine for your pool.
 
A "Chlorine Pool" is a pool that is chlorinated through the addition of stabilized chlorine tablets through your pool skimmer or chlorinator.

Question 5

What is Total Alkalinity and why do I need to balance it in my water?

Accepted Answer

Total Alkalinity is the measure of how many alkaline substances are in your water.
in pool water we aim to have a Total Alkalinity of 80-120ppm (parts per million).
 
We correct Total Alkalinity for three reasons;
 
1)Pool Water Clarity - A pool Low in TA (Total Alkalinity) can cause pool water to be hazy or cloudy.
2)Skin and Eye Sensitivity - A pool low in TA can cause skin and eye sensitivity to bathers.
3)Elasticity of pool liner - Having Proper TA in your pool allows your pool vinyl liner to have elasticity. Without elasticity , your liner can wrinkle and become brittle.

Question 6

What is pH and why do I need to balance it in my water?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

What Effect Does Copper and Iron have on my pool water?

Accepted Answer

Copper and Iron can be found in most pool water, in small amounts. There are usually more of these substances found in water from a well.
 
Although typically copper and iron do not cause issue in pool or spa water they can present their own challenges.
 
A concentration that is too high or Copper or Iron can cause extremely cloudy water. To rectify this you may need to use a metal sequestrant product.
 
Another common issue that these minerals can cause is staining. Prolonged periods of untreaded Copper and Iron in pool water can cause staining of fixtures such as Steps, ladders, fittings etc.
This can easily be prevented by the regular use of a Staining and Scaling product.

Question 8

What are Phosphates, and do I need to worry about them?"

Accepted Answer

Phosphates are compounds of the non metallic phosphorous and are a primary food source for aquatic plants including all types of algae.
 
Phosphates are broken down into their simplest form , Orthophosphates in one of three ways:
1) Oxidation
2) Hydrolysis (decomposition by water)
3) Enzymatic Digestion
 
Phosphates come from fertilizers, decaying vegetaion, municipal water and cosmetic items on bathers( lotions, sunscreens, deodorants etc)
 
Phosphates are non toxic and are not harmful.Removing them as a way to remedy and prevent proliferation of algae is innefective. Your best bet is to maintain proper chlorine levels, regularly use an algaecide to prevent blooming of algae and shock your pool on a weekly basis.

Question 9

What is Algae, and where does it come from?"

Accepted Answer

Algae Spores continually enter the pool water by wind, rain , swimsuits and cleaning tools such as brushes and nets.
A lack of good of circulation, filtration and sanitation is usually a contributing cause of pool algae.
Algae is a living aquatic creature that multiplies rapidly on warm sunny days.

Question 10

How do I get rid of algae in my pool?

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

How do I get rid of mold in my hot tub?

Accepted Answer

Mold in your hot tub forms when there is a lack of sanitizer for an extended period of time.
White Mold in a hot tub typically looks like shredded wet tissue paper.
 
To rid your hot tub of mold you must;
 
1) Add one entire jug of household bleach to hot tub and circulate for 24hrs to kill any mold in the lines of the hot tub.
2) Drain Hot tub and wipe down inside thoroughly. Do not forget to wipe down jets and pillows.
3) Replace Hot tub Filter with a new filter - the old filter must be disposed of as it is impossible to remove the mold spored from the fabric pleats.

Question 12

How do I get rid of cloudy pool water?

Accepted Answer

Cloudy water can be caused my a number of things such as;
 
a) Combined chlorine in the water 
Solution: Treat with shock treatment.
 
b) pH is too high
Solution: Add pH down to reach levels between 7.2 -7.6
 
c) Total Alkalinity is  too low
Solution: Add Aka-Rise to reach recommended range of 80-150ppm
 
d) Calcium Hardness is too High
 
e) Extremely small particles in pool water caused by storm or pool flooding
Solution: Add Filter aid such as Quick Clear or Crystal Cube. In extreme cases 'Floc' may be necessary.
 
f)  Poor circulation in certain areas
Solution: Check the skimmer valve setting drawing water from the surface and bottom drain. Adjust setting of return nozzle downward.
 
g) Excessive dissolved solids in water
Solution: solids build up in water used year after year. Backwash at the rate of 1% per day.

Question 13

How do I get rid of cloudy spa water?

Accepted Answer

Cloudy spa water can be caused by a variety of things;
 
a) Organic Contaminants build-up
Solution: Shock Treatment with Spa shock
 
b)Suspended Particles
Soluton : Add Spa Clear , use Zorbie or Scumbug
 
c) High pH
Solution: Add pH reducer until pH level reaches range of 7.2- 7.6
 
d) Pool Filtration
Solution: Filter is dirty - Clean filter with Cratridge cleaner
 
g) High Dissolved Solids
Solution: Empty Spa and Refill.

Question 14

What is Cyanuric Acid and should I be Concerned?

Accepted Answer

Cyanuric acid, Also known as Stabilizer, is used to reduce the rate at which Free Chlorine is lost to ultraviolet rays.
 
Cyanuric acid is typically in the formula of pool and spa Chlorine tablets, and will build up over time as you continue to use tablets.
 
Cyanuric acid is not harmful, however when readings reach a certain level they can effect other water chemistry such as Chlorine, pH and Alkalinity.
 
Cyanuric acid can only be removed by draining and refilling pool or spa water. Cyanuric Acid can not be removed by a chemical.

Question 15

Are all Fragrances and Bath Salts safe to use in the hot tub?

Accepted Answer

Not all Fragrances and Bath Salts are meant to be used in a hot tub. Check the label of any products you are unsure of. A product that is safe to use in your hot tub without causing water balancing issues will say ' Spa Safe & Oil Free '

Question 16

How do I get rid of foam in my hot tub water?

Accepted Answer

Foam in the hot tub is typically caused by one of two things;
 
1) Oils brought in by bathers ie Body oils, lotions, hair gels, shampoos, etc
 
2) Detergent from bathing suits.
 
The oil causing the foam in your hot tub will eventually be filtered out of your hot tub water however to temporarily eliminate the foam in your tub you can use a product called " Defoamer".

Question 17

What is Black Algae? and how do I get rid of it?

Accepted Answer

Black algae is a type of algae that is very difficult to treat and irradicate. Black Algae can appear as a blackish discoloration or a tar-like substance.
 
To remove black algae try the following steps;
 
1) Brush Effected area
 
2) Reduce pH levels to 7.2
 
3) Add a "Quat Algaecide" to soften the outer layer of the algae ( Poolboss 10% or Algi - Out 5%)
 
4) Add a "Poly Algaecide"  ( Formula 500 or Formula 600)
 
5) Shock the pool with Instaboost or Pool Shock.

Question 18

What is Pink Algae? and how do I get rid of it?

Accepted Answer

Pink algae or slime is actually not algae at all, it is actually a bacteria.
 
The best type of algaecide to use to irradicate pink algae is a polymer algaecide or a silver algaecide. 
 
Copper algaecides and "quat" algaecides are not effective againts bacterial problems.

Question 19

What is a "Quat" Algaecide?"

Accepted Answer

"Quat" or "Poly Quat" Algaecides are Ammonium compounds which treat and prevent growth of algae without the use of copper.

Question 20

What is AquaFinesse?

Accepted Answer

Aquafinesse is a natural, environmentally friendly water treatment system. It is not a sanitizer however it does play an important role in the control of bacteria.
 
Aquafinesse breaks down and loosens biofilms from surfaces in the hot tub so that they can be more easily destroyed by a minimal amount of sanitizer.
 
When new bacteria is introduced into the tub by bathers, bacteria can no longer stick to surfaces and multiply to become biofilm.

Question 21

What is Biofilm?

Accepted Answer

Biofilm is a slimy substance that is created by bacteria for use as a safe shelter, feeding and breeding ground. Bacteria enter the water through various sources including bathers.
Needing somewhere safe, bacteria create themselves a slime ( biofilm) that allows them to stick to any damp surface area. In your spa this could be the acrylic, jets, filter and filter housing.
 
Biofilm is designed to protect the bacteria within. This makes it incredibly difficult for sanitizers alone to penetrate the biofilm.

Question 22

What is an Ozonator?

Accepted Answer

Ozone (o3) is a form of oxygen (o2) and is a powerful oxidizing agent that can control  microrganisms, destroy organic contamination, by-product build ups, dead algae and organic debris.
Ozone however is not a true sanitizer as it does not last long in the water. You must still use a 'backup' sanitizer of chlorine or bromine.
 
'Ozonators' or 'Ozone Generators' produce ozone , and in turn reduce the amount of sanitizer you may need to use otherwise.

Question 23

What is a UV Sterilizer, in reference to pool sanitaton?"

Accepted Answer

UV light can be used as an alternative sanitizing method to very effectively destroy mircoorganisms in swimming pool water. Up to 99.9% of microorganisms can be destroyed  as the pool water passes through the unit. This dramatic reduction in microbial population helps to maintain better water conditions.
 
A UV light will reduce the amount of sanitizer required to maintain your pool however a sanitizer (Chlorine or Bromine) is still required.

Question 24

Can well water cause staining in my pool?

Accepted Answer

It is very common for well water to contain dissolved minerals, and when these contain copper, iron or manganese staining or discoloration may occur.
 
Well water however, is not the only reason staining can occur and metals in water can be treated so filling a pool or hot tub with water from a well shouldn't be a concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Sanitizer?

What is the difference between Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine and Combined Chlorine?"

What is the difference between Bromine and Chlorine?

What is the Difference between a "Salt Pool" and a "Chlorine Pool""

What is Total Alkalinity and why do I need to balance it in my water?

What is pH and why do I need to balance it in my water?

What Effect Does Copper and Iron have on my pool water?

What are Phosphates, and do I need to worry about them?"

What is Algae, and where does it come from?"

How do I get rid of algae in my pool?

How do I get rid of mold in my hot tub?

How do I get rid of cloudy pool water?

How do I get rid of cloudy spa water?

What is Cyanuric Acid and should I be Concerned?

Are all Fragrances and Bath Salts safe to use in the hot tub?

How do I get rid of foam in my hot tub water?

What is Black Algae? and how do I get rid of it?

What is Pink Algae? and how do I get rid of it?

What is a "Quat" Algaecide?"

What is AquaFinesse?

What is Biofilm?

What is an Ozonator?

What is a UV Sterilizer, in reference to pool sanitaton?"

Can well water cause staining in my pool?