The following is a basic routine to make your investment a simple pleasure.

Daily

• Ensure that the pump is running daily (usually set with the time clock). If the pump sounds as if it is labouring,check the skimmer and pump baskets. Check the pool cleaner. If there are no leaves in the baskets and if nothingis stuck in the pool cleaner, call your pool service centre.
• The ideal circulation time is 12 hours daily in the summerand 6 - 8 hour daily in the winter.
• Clean the Pool Skim / Gobbler net if necessary.

Weekly

• Test the water with your test kit. The chlorine should be 1.5 - 3.0ppm (parts per million litres of water) and the pH should be 7.4 - 7.6.
• Clean the skimmer and pump baskets, backwash the filter for 3 - 5 minutes and rinse for approximately 1 minute.
• When turning to the various positions on the Multiport top, ALWAYS SWITCH THE PUMP OFF.
• Clean the salt cell (unless you have a self-cleaning unit).
• Brush the walls and steps (the areas where the pool cleaner will miss out).

Test your pool water at a professional pool outlet

Have the water tested at a professional pool shop and add the required chemicals.

Aspects of water management:

pH (Potential Hydrogen) :

Ideal level is 7.4 - 7.6

This indicates whether the water is either too acidic or too alkaline or in a state of balance.

pH can change due to:

• Fill water
• Rain
• BatherLoad
• Chemicals
• Dust
• Algae.

As a safety precaution, we recommend a dry form of acid over liquid acid

Total Alkalinity:

Acts as a buffer to prevent rapid pH fluctuations

Ideal level:

• 80 - 120ppm Gunite Pool
• 125 - 150ppmFibreglass / Vinyl Pool

Alkalinity can change due to:

• Fill water
• Rain
• Bather Load
• Chemicals
• Dust
• Algae

Calcium Hardness :

Ideal level:

• 175 - 225ppm Gunite Pools
• 225 - 275ppm Fibreglass / Vinyl Pool

Chlorination:

Ideal chlorine level: 1 - 3ppm (FAC - Free Available Chlorine)

To determine Free Chlorine level, DPD #1 tabs must be used. Chlorine attached to swimmer wastes (hairspray, perspiration) is called Chloramines or combined Chlorine and is ineffective as a sanitizer.

Presence of Chloramines is indicated by:

• Strong chlorine smell
• Burning eyes
• Cloudy/dull water

To overcome Chloramines, the pool needs to be Oxidised (Shock Treated) regularly.

KEY POINT - IF YOU CAN SMELL THE CHLORINE YOU HAVE CHLORAMINES!

Salt Chlorination

The process:

A salt chlorinator comprises of a power pack (power supply) and electrode (Cell). Salt is added to the pool water to create a saline solution. This solution then passes through the electrode and through a process of electrolyses, chlorine is produced.

Due to the nature of Salt Chlorination, the pH of pool water will rise, thereby requiring regular additions of acid to lower the pH.

The electrodes should be cleaned at least once a week. This can be done in the following ways:

• Remove cell and hose off.
• Use an ice cream stick to remove any excessive build up -NEVER us a knife or wire brush as this will damage the cell (remember - the cost of the cell is approximately1 third of the price of the chlorinator.
• A formulated Salt Cell Cleaner is recommended to remove calcium build up from electrodes.

Ways of making it easier to clean the cell:

• Regular use of Scale Inhibiting chemical will help to prevent the build up on the cell.
• A water enhancing product will soften the water and make the minerals in the water more soluble thereby making it easier to clean the cell.
• Chlorinators with self-cleaning electrodes are also available. Please contact us for more information.

Salt calculation - 4 / 5 / 7 Kg salt per 10 000 litres of water (This will depend on the make and model of the salt chlorinator).

To Sum Up - The Ideal Chemical Levels:

All measurements need to be in meters.

Rectangular or Square Pools or Spas

Diameter  X Diameter  X Average Water Depth (add 3 depths together and divide by 3) X 785 = Volume in Liters. 

Oval Swimming Pools or Spas

Long Diameter (Meters) X Short Diameter (Meters) X Average Water Depth (Meters) X 785 = Volume in Liters

Irregularly Shaped Pools or Spas

If possible check with the builder or dealer.

You may have to calculate the volume based on two separate areas, if the pool is an "L" or "T" shape.

For a hexagon or Octagon shape, calculate as a circular pool or spa.

Otherwise, use the calculations for either an oval or rectangular pools or spas and substitute an average diameter, width or length.

Check List

1. Do you see any deep or wide cracks (± 5mm) in the structure of your pool?
2. When the pump is running, do air bubbles come through the inlet (return) lines i.e. the airflows?
3. Are there any obvious leaks at the pipe work at the pump, filter or salt chlorinator cell housing?
4. Is there loss of water at the backwash pipe (a damp spot or trickle of water) when the pump is operating and the Diavalve is set on the FILTER position?
5. Have you noticed any consistently wet areas in the ground in the general direction of the pipelines?

Tracing Procedure

Step 1:	Top up the swimming pool to the normal level (usually 1/2 way up the mouth of the skimmer box) and mark the inside of skimmer box with a red marker pen. Run the pump continuously for 24 hours and record the water level with a marker pen.
Step 2:	Switch the pump off for 24 hours and mark the level of the water in the skimmer box with a marker pen. Record the extended loss in mm.
Step 3:	At this stage please refer to the water evaporation table at the bottom of this page.

If you find that the water loss is greater than the limits set out in the evaporation table, carry out the following procedures:

1. Switch the pump off if the water drops close to the bottom of the skimmer box.
2. DO NOT top the pool up, allow the water to drop to its lowest level, with the pump switched OFF.
3. Try to eliminate splashing if swimming is allowed. It is preferable that the pool not be used in order to obtain accurate water level markings.
4. Add chemicals daily PLUS 25% extra chemicalisation while the pump is not operating.

Evaporation Table