Saltwater Pool Maintenance Guide..Problem
by Jim
Having a problem with our saltwater pool. The chlorine keeps going too low and the pH level is too high. Tried everything we know how to do but can't keep the chlorine in the pool. What can we do about the pH? Jim Thanks for your question Jim You want to keep your pool chlorine level between 1.5ppm - 3.5ppm. The main reason your pool can't seem to keep any chlorine is the lack of cyanuric acid (CYA). This is the stabilizer for the chlorine and will help reduce the amount used by as much as 50%. Adjust Your Swimming Pool Chlorine You can go to this link to learn all about CYA and how to get it in your pool: Chlorine Tablets Concerning your pH level being too high, you can go here to learn how to reduce it: Swimming Pool pH Levels I will encourage you to test your tap water. If it's high, then you'll know one of the reasons why it keeps getting higher. The pH level can go up by a process called "aeration". This is due to splashing around, slides and water features such as slides and water falls, etc...that causes a "gassing-off" off of the CO2 which will increase the swimming pool pH level. I would recommend getting a Taylor Reagent FAS-DPD K-2006 pool water test kit. It's the best and the one I've used for years. You'll get the most accurate readings with this one. Have a Great Summer Robert New Question: Copper Too High In Swimming Pool Date: July 5, 2011 I have a saltwater pump and my copper level is off the charts high. Our suits are turning green and our water is cloudy. Is there a way to get the level down without draining the pool? Answer By: Robert Date: July 5, 2011 Thanks for the question When you have high metals in your water, mainly copper and/or iron, the best way to reduce that is with a metal sequestrant. A metal sequestrant does not remove metal from pool water. It holds it in solution until it can get filtered. Then you backwash the metal out. Because metal sequestrants break down over time and get filtered and backwashed out, you need to weekly dose your pool if you have high iron and copper. Metal sequestrants that are based on HEDP, phosphonic acid or something similar are the most effective. Jack's Magic Blue, Purple, and Pink Pink Stuff, Metal Magic, Metal Free, & Metal Klear are very good. You should try to have your pool tested bi-weekly for metals. When you say saltwater pump, I will assume you mean a chlorine generator. I'm not aware that a generator will raise the metal (copper) content in the pool. This is sometimes done with a pool ionizer. Ionizer Put Too Much Copper In My Pool Hope this helps and let me know how it turns out for you. Have a great Summer Robert |
