Sizing

Properly sizing your pool is a critical step in determining a chemical program for you to follow. The formulas have been provided to help you calculate your pool water volume in gallons. This allows you to use the proper amounts of chemicals, resulting in CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER.

• Circular: Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9 = Total Gallons
• Oval: Long Diameter x Short Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9 = Total Gallons
• Rectangular: Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5 = Total Gallons

Chemical Safety Tips

CAUTION: Before using any pool chemicals there are some precautions

• Keep all chemicals sealed and out of reach of children.
• Always read and follow directions on labels.
• Never mix chemicals together.
• Always add chemicals to water, never the reverse.
• Store all chemicals in cool, dry place.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling chemicals.

To determine amounts and types of chemical required, your pool should be tested daily for pH and free chlorine; and periodically for alkalinity, stabilizer, and hardness. Bon Aqua has chemicals available to treat and cure any problem which might arise.

Sanitation

Proper filtration will remove most suspended debris from your pool, however, filtration alone is not enough. Chlorination is required to disinfect pool water. The proper combination of filtration and chlorination is necessary to keep pool water sparkling clear.

Chlorine must be added to accomplish the following:

1. Kill any bacteria and/or algae present in the water.
2. Supply a residual or active supply of chlorine to kill new bacteria and to prevent the growth of algae. A chlorine residual of 1.0-3.0 ppm (parts per million) must be maintained at all times.

Algae

Once the chlorine level is allowed to drop below 1.0 ppm, unsightly algae may appear. Algae can discolor water and give off unpleasant odors. This condition may also be an indication of improper sanitation. Should this problem occur, consult Bon Aqua Pools and Spas.

Shock Treatments

As foreign matter enters your pool, your chlorine demand will increase, resulting in decreased chlorine residual. Foreign matter may enter your pool by swimmers, wind, and rain. It may consist of organic wastes such as perspiration, urine, saliva, suntan lotions and pollutants.
Periodic shock treatments are required to maintain the proper level of chlorine residual. This can be accomplished by using a heavy dose of chlorine (3-5 times your normal daily dosage.) Shock treatments should be done once a week during peak season when temperatures and bather loads are heavy. Cloudiness and/or strong chlorine odors are indications that a shock treatment is needed.

Chlorine comes in 4 states:

1. Granular
2. Liquid
3. Tablets
4. Gas

*Chlorine in a gaseous state is generally not available for residential pools. Our staff will be glad to help you choose the type of chlorine that best suits your needs.

pH

pH is the measure of the degree of acidity or basicity of pool water. Practically speaking, it tells if water is neutral or how far away from neutral.
pH is a measure on a scale, to which numbers have been assigned, from 1 to 14. 7 is the middle of the scale and is considered exactly neutral. Readings below 7 are increasingly acidic, above 7 are increasingly basic or alkaline. Under normal conditions, it has been found that the proper pH for pool water is approximately 7.5 with pH 7.2-7.8 being an acceptable range.

Water Balance

Balanced water is a term used to describe an ideal condition of pool water. Water is "Balanced" if it contains just the right amount of pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness and dissolved solids. Unbalanced water can have scale forming or corrosive tendencies.

Stabilizer

To achieve maximum chlorine efficiency your pool should be properly stabilized. Stabilizer, (cyanuric acid), "holds" chlorine in the pool water, screening it from loss caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun. Stabilizer helps maintain an active chlorine residual in your pool at all times.
Without a properly stabilized pool, chlorine is broken down by the sun's ultraviolet rays. Consequently, you will need to use 1-1/2 - 2 times your normal daily requirement of chlorine to maintain the proper level of chlorine residual.
Chlorine stabilizer is generally added once, at the beginning of each season.

Total Alkalinity

Alkalinity represents the amount of alkaline minerals in water. It is the measure of the buffering capacity or resistance to a change in pH of water. It minimizes changes in pH, making pH easier to control.
Alkalinity and pH are sometimes confused. pH is a measure of DEGREE of acidity or basicity of water. Alkalinity is a QUANTITATIVE measure, telling you the total amount or quality of alkaline minerals present.
The proper alkalinity range is 80-120 ppm. If alkalinity is allowed to drift, corrosion or scaling may result. Have your pool water tested periodically for alkalinity by a qualified dealer.

Calcium Hardness

Total Hardness is used to describe the total amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium bicarbonates, as well as smaller quantities of other minerals, in water.
Unbalanced water, high in hardness, can cause water to become cloudy. Scale can form inside pipes restricting water flow. It can cause calcification of sand in filters, reducing their efficiency. Scale can also discolor a pool's interior.
On the other hand, low hardness and unbalanced water can contribute to corrosive water conditions. Therefore, a certain amount of hardness is desirable. The desired range is between 100-400 ppm. Once again, your water should be tested periodically for hardness.

Total Dissolved Solids

Total dissolved solids are metals which have dissolved in your water. They can interact with chlorine, resulting in a change of color of your pool water. Total dissolved solids should not exceed 2000 ppm.
*Should this or any other problem occur, consult with Bon Aqua's professional staff. WE'RE HERE TO HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELPFUL HINTS

1. Opening Your Pool

• Check Filtration System -
  The heart of any pool is its filtration system. Make sure all components are in working order and that the filter is running before adding any pool chemicals.
  
• Shock Your Pool -
  At the beginning of each swimming season it is necessary to super chlorinate the pool to establish a chlorine residual. Shock your pool with a chlorine shock product or simply add 3-5 times your normal daily chlorine dosage.
  
• Stabilize -
  Chlorine Stabilizer (cyanuric acid) is added to the pool water to protect the chlorine from UV breakdown by the sun. Have the pool water tested to determine how much stabilizer should be added to maximize chlorine efficiency.
  
• Balance -
  Pool water "balance" is determined by several factors including: pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness. BON Aqua has the equipment and expertise to analyze your pool water and recommend exactly what you'll need to balance your pool water.
  

2. During the Swim Season

• Be Attentive -
  Pool water chemical levels and requirements are constantly changing due to weather, pool location and types of chemicals being used. Periodic water tests, either at home or at our pool center, are essential to eliminate water problems before they occur.
  
• Summer Shocking -
  After a heavy rain, prolonged periods of hot weather or heavy bather load, it is advised to shock your pool. Shocking the pool will help destroy visible algae, restore low chlorine levels and burn off accumulated organic wastes (chloramines).
  

3. Closing Your Pool

• Putting your Pool to Bed -
  How to winterize a pool depends on where that pool is located. If you live in a climate where the pool water does not freeze, it may not be necessary to shut down and cover your pool. Check with us for specific winterizing instructions.
  
• Winter Shocking -
  If you live in a region where it is necessary to cover your pool for the winter, the addition of a WINTER ALGAECIDE and a soluble granular will help insure that your pool is sparkling clear when the pool is opened the following spring.
  

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

• In Closing -
  These pool care maintenance tips have been created to offer some helpful hints and useful information. You may have some questions or problems not covered in this guide. . . .If you need answers, advice or help with any pool problem, remember: Bon Aqua has a professional staff to assist you, take advantage of our knowledge and enjoy your pool!