Let's talk about chemistry. Not pool water chemistry (yet), human chemistry.
Have you ever wondered why your body floats in the ocean?
It's from the extremely high salt density in the water. The salinity in the ocean is around 35,000 ppm. Some oceans, like the Dead Sea are much higher but, on average, that number is correct.
Your body has a certain amount of salinity also. It can be found in your saliva, your sweat and your tears. Your tears salinity is about 8,000 ppm.
This reason alone is a strong arguement for converting your pool to salt. When in a "fresh water" pool, there is little or no salt at all which brings your body out of it's natural comfort zone.
The salt in a "salt pool" refreshes your eyes and quenches your skin and hair. The salinity of a salt pool is around 3,200-3,600 ppm. It's not quite the same as your body but it's close.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Salt Generators/Chlorinators:
Q: Is a salt pool like swimming in the ocean?
A: Not quite; There's a considerable difference between the salinity of the ocean (20,000-35,000 ppm) and a salt chlorinated pool (3,200 ppm). At 3,200 ppm, you genereally can't even taste the salt and, anything under 6,000 ppm is still considered "fresh water".
Q: Is the water still blue?
A: Yes, since the salt water system creates chlorine, the water is still blue and also very clear. The salt system gives your pool the water quality you have dreamed about diving into.
Q: Can a salt system be installed with my existing equipment?
A: Yes, since water is still considered fresh, it is compatible with all standard pool equipment including pumps, filters, heaters, pool sweeps, etc. It is advised that you check with the manufacturer of the salt chlorinator tp verify that you can use it with a stainless steel filter or a considerable amount of copper plumbing.
Q: Does salt "soften" the pool water?
A: Yes, this is one of the many benefits of the salt system.
Q: Will I save money?
A: The fact that you no longer need to use packaged pool chlorine will save you a significant amount of money in the long run. The most common reason people choose to install a salt system is because of the fantastic water quality and the effects it has on the bather's comfort level. Your body is in a more natural state with the salt.
Q: Will there be deposits left on the tile line?
A: Unless you are checking your pH levels on a daily basis, you will, unfortunately, experience some kind of buid-up. To help counter this, try some Scale-Tec. It will help break up calcium along the water line and tile. You should be scrubbing your tile line regularly already. If you keep up on this task, and maintain your pH, you will have no more work than normal.
Q: Will the pool be as sanitary as it would be with regular liquid chlorine?
A: Yes! Having a salt system means that you are manufacturing your own chlorine right in your own backyard. Not only are you creating chlorine in a cost effective way, you are constantly generating enough chlorine to keep your pool sanitary all the time. The salt generator is only converting salt to chlorine for as long as the pump is running. If you reduce the amount of time your pump runs each day, be sure to adjust the chlorine output accordingly.
I hope this article helps answer some of your questions about salt chlorine generators. If you have other questions, you can submit them as a comment and I will create a follow-up.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Tips for Proper Swimming Pool and Spa Water Testing
Follow these tips to help you achieve the best possible pool and spa water testing results. Quality in/quality out.
- Take water sample from at least 12" below surface
- Carefully measure sample of water to be tested
- Follow all instructions on test kit
- Hold bottle vertically to ensure uniform drop size
- Add drops slowly
- Avoid handling tablets with fingers
- Never interchange caps of reagent bottles
- Never use finger as a cap
- Thoroughly wash test tubes or cells between tests
- Test frequently and maintain records
- Do not add OTO reagents to pool!
- Avoid exposing test reagents to sunlight, freezing or high temperatures for prolonged periods
- Store test equipment properly. In a cool, dark area
- Replace test chemicals at the start of each season
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Swimming Pool Filter Sizing
There is a formula for anything that you need to accomplish with regards to swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. Whether it’s a chemical adjustment or a piece of equipment that you need to replace and you want to be sure it’s the right size.
This article, as is stated in the title, is about choosing the right swimming pool filter to be sure that you’re getting the best performance and clearest pool water. Filters are one example when bigger is better!
Flow Rate / Filter Ability = Filter Size
Filter Ability for the different types of filters are as follows:
D.E. = 2 GPM per square foot
Cartridge = 0.375 GPM per square foot
Sand = 15 GPM per square foot
Ex: 75 GPM
Filter size for D.E., Cartridge and Sand would be:
75 / 2 = D.E ……. 37.5 sq ft
75 / 0.375 = Catr. …. 200 sq ft
75 / 15 = Sand …… 5 sq ft
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
Swimming Pool Spa and Hot Tub Heater Output Per Hour
There is a formula for anything that you need to accomplish with regards to swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. Whether it’s a chemical adjustment or a piece of equipment that you need to replace and you want to be sure it’s the right size.
This article, as stated in the title, is about choosing the right heater to bring your pool, spa or hot tub water to the desired temperature.
Formula: Heater Output:
Pool Volume (gal.) x Temp Diff. X 8.33
Ex: 20,000 gal. pool that is 77 degrees and you want to
heat it to 83. It would be; 20,000 x 6 x 8.33 = 999,600. Thiss means that you would require a 1,000,000 BTU heater to get the pool up to temp in one hour.
Note: 1 BTU = 1 lb of water raised 1 degree F.
Note: 1 gal of water = 8.34 lbs.
To find heater input: Heater Output / Heater Efficiency
Ex: Heater output = 1,000,000 BTUs
Heater Efficiency = 80%
1,000,000 / .8 = 1,250,000BTUs (Heater Input)
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
Swimming Pool Filter Ability Rate (FMR)
There is a formula for anything that you need to accomplish with regards to swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. Whether it’s a chemical adjustment or a piece of equipment that you need to replace and you want to be sure it’s the right size.
This article, as is stated in the title, is about figuring out the rate at which water will pass through the filter media. Measured in gallons per minute per square foot (GPM/sqft)
Formula:
Flow Rate / Filter size (in sq. ft.) = Filter Ability
Ex: Flow Rate = 111GPM
Filter Size = 55.5 sq. ft.
111 / 55.5 = 2GPM Filter Ability
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
How to Calculate Swimming Pool Flow Rate
There is a formula for anything that you need to accomplish with regards to swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. Whether it’s a chemical adjustment or a piece of equipment that you need to replace and you want to be sure it’s the right size.
This article, as is stated in the title, is about how to calculate the flow rate of the pool water running through your system. This is an important calculation upon which many other pool formulas are based. In commercials pools and spas this is regulated by the State or Local Environmental Health Services and minimum flow rates are required.
Formula:
Pool Volume (gal) / Turnover Rate (minutes) = Flow Rate in GPM
In California (at this writing) the required turnover rates are:
Pools = 360 minutes (or 6 hours)
Spas = 30 minutes (1/2 hour)
Ex: a 40,000 gal pool would be: 40,000 / 360 = 111 GPM
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
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