Understanding Computerized Water Analysis - EcoSmarte Pool System Manual

Understanding your computerized water analysis
There are several factors involved in running a balanced swimming pool
Potential hydrogen is important for sanitation to work properly. For chlorine or bromine pools, the
pH needs to be maintained between 7.4 and 7.8. For bacquacil, the pH needs to be between 7.2
and 7.6. For alternative sanitizers like ionization, 6.8 to 7.2 is appropriate. In all three of these
pH
cases, you are actually running at neutral, as chlorine raises the neutrality to 7.4.
Calcium is also very important to running a swimming pool. For this reason, pools should not be
Calcium
filled with soft water. All pools should maintain a minimum of 200 ppm, with 400 ppm being ideal
Hardness
for ionization.
Chlorine/bromine needs to be measured for a chlorine/bromine based pool. The ideal level of
Chlorine/
sanitation is 1.5 ppm (one important note- chlorine loses its effectiveness if the temperature if it
Bromine
goes over 90 degrees).
Copper needs to be measured for ionized pools. The ideal level of sanitation is between 0.4 and
0.7 ppm if there is zero chlorine. Copper can be maintained at 0.4 ppm if free chlorine is 0.5 ppm.
Copper
If copper or free chlorine numbers are any higher there is a risk of staining the pool.
Biguanide The ideal level of biguanide for a bicquacil pool is 30 to 50 ppm. Hydrogen peroxide shock and
algaecide also need to be added weekly.
Alkalinity
Alkalinity is a factor for chlorine, bromine, and bacquacil pools. Proper alkalinity levels can help to
stabilize the pH of the pool. Typically, this should measure between 80 to 120 ppm.
Phosphates can cause significant problems when trying to run a pool properly. They ideally should
measure 0 ppm. If they measure less than 1000 ppm then a product like Zero-Phos is effective at
Phosphates
removing them. If over 1000ppm, aluminum sulfate should be used to remove them. (See page 10).
Total dissolved solids are anything solid that can dissolve in water. If this level reaches a level of
TDS
over 2000 ppm then the pool needs to be drained and refilled.
Cyanuric acid (cyanide) is a stabilizer used to extend the life of chlorine. 35 is the ideal level. Cya-
nide is not compatible with ozone or oxygen based sanitation. This level should be monitored to
CYA
avoid significant negative health effects at a level of 100 ppm.
Sodium is often measured as a function of your TDS. Solid levels over 3000 ppm can pit concrete,
Salt
ruin landscaping, and give backteria a place to hide.
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