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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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 '

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".

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.