How It Works; Initial Pool Balance - Pool Controls Ozone XLM Series User Manual

How it works:

A mineral chlorinator works by putting a dc current through an electrolytic cell in a flow of
mineral salted water. Minerals is mostly made up of magnesium/potassium/sodium and
chloride ions. Electrolysis of these minerals produces chlorine gas, which dissolves almost
instantly to form free chlorine in the water. This free chlorine is a highly effective sanitiser
for your pool. The ozone added by the system is a highly effective oxidiser that destroys
contaminants faster than chlorine, leaving more chlorine to act as a residual sanitiser.
The Ozone XLM Series constantly adds ozone and a dose of chlorine to the water over the
operating period of the system. The amount of chlorine added depends upon the cell
output and the running time.
Generally, a mineral pool is run for around 8 hours per day in summer and 2 to 4 hours per
day in winter. The summer operating periods are usually in the early morning and later
evening. This allows a chlorine residual to build up for pool use during the day.
The filter system should always be running when the pool is being used. If a pool
cover/blanket is used the chlorine demand will be greatly reduced. To avoid over-
chlorination use the Cover Blanket On/Off button. See pages 4, 14, 17 & 20.
pH Control (standard in Ozone XLM unit)
When chlorine is added to water the pH always changes – this is because chlorine is not a
neutral chemical. The pH will slowly rise as chlorine is produced in a mineral water
system. A rise in pH greatly reduces the effectiveness of the chlorine as a sanitiser, so it
is important to ensure that the pH remains in the correct range.
The pH of the water can be lowered by the addition of acid – and if your Ozone XLM Series
has the optional pH control, this can be done automatically. The Ozone XLM Series uses a
sophisticated algorithm to calculate how much chlorine has been produced by the cell, and
how much acid needs to be dosed to correct the resultant pH rise.
The algorithm can be adjusted if installed on a concrete/plaster pool. When adjustments
are made it should be in small values with the pool then monitored for effectiveness.
Note: while the algorithmic pH control is effective it does not measure pH.
pH measurement and checking must be done manually to make sure the pH is correct.

Initial pool balance

Before you begin using the Chlorinator, make sure your pool water is balanced as follows:
Minerals – only add minerals after checking the levels
There should be between 900 and 2000ppm of TDS in the pool ideally 1200 - 1600ppm.
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This is achieved by adding 10kg of mineral for every 6000 litres (6m ) of pool volume.
The conductivity of minerals is different to pure (sodium) salt. All TDS testers are calibrated
for sodium chloride salt. You will need more weight of hydrated minerals to achieve an
equivalent TDS to salt – follow the mineral instructions.
Note: keep mineral TDS well below 3000ppm to avoid overloading the cell and
causing shutdown. Only add after checking the level.
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