Pool and Spa Blog

So you are thinking about putting a salt water chlorinator for your swimming pool? It is definitely the trend in today's market.  Salt water chlorinators will protect you from the rising prices of chlorine.  Over the past 5 years, the price of chlorine has nearly doubled.  That in itself is enough to make you want to investigate other options to sanitize your swimming pool.  The Zodiac LM3 Salt Water Chlorinator is at the forefront of technology when it comes to efficiently and safely sanitizing your pool.  Read further to learn more about salt water chlorine generators.

Best Design 

Zodiac has perfected the design and technology behind it's salt water chlorine generators and is now ready to show off the latest model.  The LM3 Salt Water Chlorinator.  This unit was designed to exceed a swimming pool owner's need for high functionality while remaining durable and reliable.  This unit allows you to turn your swimming pool water into a saline (salt) solution that feels and looks so perfect, you won't want to get out of the water.  Ions pass along specially coated copper plates which are charged with low voltage so they are converted to pure chlorine gas.  The saline solution is lower than that of your own teardrop making the water smooth as silk and as mild to your skin as possible.  Never worry about adding chlorine again!

 Built for the size of your pool

The LM3 comes in 3 sizes depending on the size of your pool.  Be sure to use the proper size or your pool water may not be sanitized properly.

• LM3-15: Outputs 15 grams of chlorine per hour, designed for swimming pools up to 15,000 gallons
• LM3-24: Probably the most common size, this unit will produce 24 grams of chlorine per hour and suited for pools from 15,000 to 24,000 gallons
• LM3-40: The largest of the LM3 models can produce up to 40 grams of chlorine per hour and should be used on pools from 24,000 to 40,000 gallons

Pools over 40,000 gallons should seek professional advice and are probably not suited for the Zodiac LM3 Salt System.

Self Maintaining Salt Cells

 Using reverse polarity, the LM3 is self cleaning and has virtually no calcium build up which minimizes the need for you to manually clean the cell heads.  The Power Bubble is a feature of the LM3 that allows you to visually inspect the electrodes without having to disassemble the unit.  If manual cleaning is necessary, the electrode can be removed easily from the housing in seconds. Keeping the cell head clean is an important part of the proper operation of the LM3 unit.  Unusual amounts of calcium buildup on the cell heads can render the unit ineffective in producing chlorine. Using a calcium inhibitor such as Jack's Magic Purple Stuff is a great idea.  Reduce the need for further cleaning and maintenance with proper cleaning procedures

    SHOP ONLINE @ www.focuspools.com

These instructions are for chlorine based swimming pools........

It's springtime again!  The temperatures are starting to rise and everyone is starting to think about what's under the pool cover?  Or have you been looking already?  Hopefully, you followed proper steps during the shutdown of your pool last fall.  The most important step to starting up your pool in the spring is to properly shut it down in the fall by adding an strong dose of algaecide for the pool and a pool stain and metal preventative treatment.

 First, let's open up the storage lockers and find out what you need.  Here's a general checklist of items you may need during the startup of your swimming pool in the spring.

• pH/Alkalinity Up
• pH/Alkalinity Down
• Hardness Increaser
• Algeacide 60%
• Choice of Chlorine Product: 1 Inch Chlorine Tablets, 3 Inch Chlorine Tablets, Chlorine Sticks
• Choice of Pool Shock:  Calcium Hypochlorite (most common), Vinyl Liner Pool Shock, Non-Chlorine Pool Shock

Always read instructions on label completely before using.  Never mix products together and always wear safety glasses and gloves when working with hazardous chemicals.

Once the pool is uncovered, be sure to add enough water to allow proper flow in your system.  Clean all filtering elements with a good overnight soaking using a pool filter cleaner. Check all your lines to ensure no leaks or damage is present.  Vacuum the debris from the pool.  It may be necessary to use a Floccing Agent to help settle debris to the bottom of the pool for easy vacuuming.

 
OK, so now what do you have?  Clean and Clear water?  No, well then it's time for some Pool Troubleshooting.  A complete list of potential conditions and possible remedies can be found here: Pool Water Troubleshooting.  A clean pool now is a sign that you did a good job this past fall taking care of closing your pool.  If it's green, cloudy and generally yuck, well, you neglected your pool last fall and it's paying you back.  Unfortunately, it's going to cost twice as much to fix the problem as it would have cost to add a few products before you closed it up to prevent these sort of problems from developing over the winter.  Read Winterizing your Swimming Pool before you close this fall

 So now we are ready to get the water in swimming condition, right?

• Add a strong Pool Algaecide per label instructions and allow this product to circulate for 12-24 hours.  Now you have killed the algae that may have been growing in the pool water.  Now it's time to oxidize those dead contaminents out of the water.
• Add 1 lb. pool shock per 10,000 gallons or as directed by the initial dosage of the shock of your choice.
• Add your choice of a Pool Stain Preventative Treatment such as Sequasol or Pool Stain Treat
  
• Test the water with a good quality pool water teststrip and make any pH or Alkalinity adjustments as needed.
• Check the Hardness levels in the pool to ensure a low level of calcium doesn't cause pipe corrosion.
• Add your sanitizer (tablet, stick, granular) chlorinating product until a 1-3 ppm reading is reached.

Stains on swimming pools can be problematic.  Depending on what caused the stain can determine what product or combination of products you should be using to remove the stain.  Jack's Magic has come up with a simple 3 Step stain removal process for swimming pool stains.  Always read the instructions completely before beginning treatments and follow all directions on the bottle and never mix chemicals together.

 Step 1: Balance the pool to proper levels for stain removal 

Although your pool water balance may be "perfect" for day-to-day conditions, it will probably need adjustment for a successful stain removal process.  Balance the pool to the following parameters before proceeding to Step 2.

• Free Chlorine (FAC)     - 1-3 ppm
• Total Chlorine (TAC)     - 1-3 ppm
• pH                              -  7.2 to 7.4 or below
• Total Alkalinity             -  80 ppm or below
• Calcium Hardness        -  200-400 ppm
• Stabilizer (CYA)           -  Below 70 ppm *
• Dissolved Solids (TDS) - Below 1200 ppm (except salt systems) *
  

* If cyanuric acid and/or Total Dissolved Solids are higher than the recommended levels above, dilute them by draining water from the pool and adding fresh water  Be sure to check reading again.  Failure to do so may result in an ineffective stain removal

Step 2: Use a Jack's Magic Topical Kit

 A Jack's Magic Topical Stain Identification Test is a series of test spots to determine which Jack's Magic products are right for your stains.  Within seconds of applying these products, removal (or reaction) of the staining should occur.  Please make a note of which product(s) removed the stain and follow the instructions corresponding to the products(s).  Steps, swimouts, and the shallow end of the pool are the best areas to do topical tests, however, deeper areas will work if the water is not circulating. Read all instructions before you begin.

1.  Make sure the pool is balanced (Step 1)
2. Turn pool pump off and allow water to calm
3. Apply approximately 1/2 jar of Stain Solution #1 over the stained area.  Allow to sit for a few seconds then brush away. (Solution #1)
   
4. Apply approximately 1/2 jar of Stain Solution #2 over another stained area.  Allow to sit for a few seconds then brush away. (Solution #2)
   
5. Apply approximately 1/2 jar of O2 Safe Shock over a third stained area.  Allow to sit for a few seconds then brush away and follow with 1/3 jar of Stain Solution #2 and allow to sit for a few seconds then brush away (O2 Safe Shock & #2)
6. Apply approximately 1/3 jar of Stain Solution #2 over a fourth stained area.  Let sit for only a few seconds then brush away and follow with 1/2 jar of Stain Solution #1.  Allow to sit for a few seconds and brush away. (Iron Scale Treatment)
   
7. Determine with topical test most effectively removes your stains and follow the appropriate stain removal treatment using the instructions below
   

Step 3: The Treatments

Solution #1:

1.  Complete Step 1 and Step 2
2. Turn pool pump on and chlorinator off
3. Lower chlorine level to just below 1.0 ppm (Use Jack's Magic After Shock to accomplish this quickly).
4. Add 2 pounds of Stain Solution #1 per 12,000 gallons of water.  Broadcast over stained area.
5. Add 1 quart of The Pink Stuff per 10,000 gallons of water. NOTE: For salt systems or high TDS, substitute The Purple Stuff)
6. Circulate the pool for 24 hours.
7. Clean filter and slowly begin re-chlorination and re-balaning of Alkalinity (use sodium bicarbonate only).
8. DO NOT SHOCK for at least a week after treatment

Solution #2:  NOTE:  Stain Solution #2 is acidic and can cause damage to pool surfaces and finishes if left standing for any length of time.  Brush away within seconds of applying.

1.  Isolate heaters and/or heat pumps from circulation system.  If this is not possible, DO NOT treat the pool with Stain Solution #2.  Call Jack's Magic at 800-348-1656 for assistance.
2. Complete Step 1 and Step 2 above
3. Turn pool pump on.
4. Add 10 pounds of Jack's Magic Stain Solution #2 per 10,000 gallons of water.
5. Add 1/2 gallon of muriatic (pool)acid per 10,000 gallons of water
6. Add 1 quart of The Blue Stuff per 10,000 gallons of water. NOTE: For salt systems or high TDS, substitute The Purple Stuff)
7. Brush the pool to make sure chemicals are in solution.
8. Circulate pool for 48 hours.  After 48 hours, continue to circulate pool a minimum of 8-10 hours per day.
9. Once a week during treatment, clean filter, add chlorine as needed (do no shock) and raise The Blue Stuff level to 20 ppm. You can use a Sequest Test Kit to check this level.
10. After stains are removed (may take several weeks) slowly begin re-balancing of Alkalinity (use sodium bicarbonate only).

O2 Safe Shock & #2:

1.   Isolate heaters and/or heat pumps from circulation system.  If this is not possible, DO NOT treat the pool with Stain Solution #2.  Call Jack's Magic at 800-348-1656 for assistance.
2. Complete Step 1 and Step 2 above
3. Turn pool pump on.
4. Add 1/2 gallon of muriatic (pool) acid per 10,000 gallons of water.
5. Add 5 pounds of Jack's Magic O2 Safe Shock per 10,000 gallons of water.
6. Add 10 pounds of Stain Solution #2 per 10,000 gallons of water.
7. Add 1 quart of The Blue Stuff per 10,000 gallons of water. NOTE: For salt systems or high TDS, substitute The Purple Stuff)
8. Brush the pool to make sure chemicals are in solution.
9. Circulate pool for 48 hours.  After 48 hours, continue to circulate pool a minimum of 8-10 hours per day.
10. Once a week during treatment, clean filter, add chlorine as needed (do no shock) and raise The Blue Stuff level to 20 ppm. You can use a Sequest Test Kit to check this level.
11. After stains are removed (may take several weeks) slowly begin re-balancing of Alkalinity (use sodium bicarbonate only).

Iron Scale Treatment:

The Iron Scale Treatment is a 2-step process.  Make sure to follow the instructions completely, do not leave out any steps and be patient.  Don't get in a hurry. 

1. Follow steps 1 through 8 for the Solution #2 listed above
   
2. Circulate pool for 48 hours.
3. After 48 hours, perform another topical test with Stain Solution #1 (see Step 2 above). 
   
4. If the stains are removed with Stain Solution #1, proceed to Solution #1 listed above.
5. If the stains are still present, wait another 48 hours and repeat step 3 of this treatment

Tip 1: If you are having difficulty getting a Free Chlorine Reading after doing a Stain Solution #2 treatment, test the Total Chlorine.  Assume that this reading is the true Free Chlorine reading.  Stain Solution #2 often causes an error in the DPD#1 test, blocking out any reading you should be getting.  This reaction may last up to a month while Stain Solution #2 is still in the water

 Tip 2:  If you get no apparent reaction when doing topical tests, try using The Pink Stuff, The Blue Stuff or The Purple Stuff for six weeks and try the topical tests again

Tip 3: To prevent any future staining in a pool, use The Pink Stuff, The Blue Stuff or The Purple Stuff as a weekly preventative maintenance product.  Maintain levels of 10-12 ppm, which can be easily checked with the Jack's Magic Sequest Test Kit.

Tip 4: To maintain proper water balances, use an accurate and reliable test kit. Jack's Magic has found the single tablet method to be the most accurate and stable method of testing water.  We have specially formulated and buffered tablets for warmer climates where short reagent life is common.  With a Jack's Magic test kit you can rest assured you are getting accurate answers every time you test your water.

Visit our Online Store at: www.focuspools.com

Are you trying to extend the season for your swimming pool but cool weather stopping you?  There is a new product on the market called HeatSavr.  This product produces a microscopic layer of molecules on the top of the water that help reduce evaporation which is the major cause of heat loss.Completely biodegradable ingredients.

Click the image below to shop for EcoSavr Solar Fish