Water Chemistry - Pentair CFIGGEN20 User Manual

Water Chemistry

CAUTION: Dry acid can cause a buildup of by-products that can
damage the chlorinator cell.
CHEMISTRY TIPS
New Pool Water: A recently filled or newly-refinished pool may contain
undesirable matter. This undesirable matter could interfere with the
CFICGEN's ability to chlorinate properly. Make sure the water is tested by
a pool professional and properly balanced before switching on the
CFICGEN.
Super Chlorination: Clears out the swimmer waste that has combined
with chlorine. This frees the chlorine for sanitizing. This is accomplished
by raising the chlorine level quickly and dramatically. When the chlorine
level is raised to ten (10) times the amount of combined chlorine, the pool
water is said to have been super chlorinated. As pool water is continuously
circulated through the CFICGEN while the unit is powered on, the water
inside the CFICGEN is being super chlorinated.
Note: On the initial start-up of a pool, it is best to super chlorinate using
an outside source, i.e., use a shock treatment available at your local pool
supplier.
Chloramines should not be present in pool water. Chloramines are formed
when ammonia (which is found in urine and sweat) combine with free
chlorine. This ties up the free chlorine in your pool and does not allow the
chlorine in your pool to disinfect. Chloramines also burn the eyes and are
foul-smelling. Super Chlorinate to remove chloramines at the initial start-
up of the pool and as needed to maintain proper levels of free chlorine.
Cyanuric acid is needed in outdoor pools to help stabilize and maintain
proper levels of chlorine.
90% of un-stabilized chlorine is destroyed by the UV radiation from the
sun within two hours. Cyanuric acid stabilizes chlorine in the water and
protects from UV degradation. When using the CFICGEN, the cyanuric
acid level should be maintained between 30-50 ppm. (See on page 8)
NOTE: DO NOT USE CYANURIC ACID IN INDOOR POOLS.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Adding salt to pool water will raise the
TDS level. While this does not adversely affect the pool water chemistry
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