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
How to Calculate Turnover Rate for Swimming Pools and Spas
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 calculating turnover rates. One “turnover” is the amount of time it would take for the volume of the pool or spa water to pass through the filtration system one time. Obviously, the water is constantly mixing and, therefore, not all of the water will be filtered in the time it takes for the total volume to pass through the system but that is not important. Turnover Rate is measured in hours.
Formula:
Pool Volume (gal) / Flow Rate (GPM) / 60 = Turnover Rate (Hours)
Ex: 40,000 gal pool with a flow rate of 111 GPM would be:
40,000 / 111 / 60 = 6 hour Turnover Rate
Spa or Hot Tub Water Changing Formula
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 calculating how often you should change out, or dump, your spa water. How do you know when it’s no longer worthwhile to try to improve your spa or hot tub water using chemicals? When is it better and more cost effective to simply dump the water and start over? Use this simple formula to find out if you’re fighting a losing battle.
Formula:
Spa Volume (gal) / 3 / # of users per 24 hours = Days
Example: 2,000 gal spa with 50 users over a 24 hour period.
2,000 / 3 = 666/ 50 = 13 Days
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
How to Calculate the Amount of Water (Volume) in Your Swimming Pool or Spa Square or Rectangular
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 finding out how much water is in your pool or spa. You need this number for anything you want to do to or with your pool or spa. From chemical additions to turnover rates, filter rates, water changes, heating, etc.
Formula:
Length x Width x Ave. Depth x 7.48 = Volume in Gallons
Or L x W x AD x 7.48 = V
Note: 1 cubic Foot = 7.48 Gallons
Note: Average Depth is found by adding the depth at the deepest and shallowest areas of the pool then dividing by 2.
Ex: a rectangular pool measuring 18’ x 36’ with a 3’ shallow end and a 9’ deep end would be
18 x 36 x 6 x 7.48 = 29,082 gal. It is perfectly acceptable to round this number to 29,000. Anything less than 500 gallons is not going to have a huge impact on a body of water this size.
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
How to Know When to Add Chlorine to Your Pool or Spa,…and How Much
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 when to add chlorine and how much you should be using. The formula we will be using is the same one that is used to calculate any chemical change in your pool or spa but we are looking at chlorine separately because it serves a different purpose in your pool than the chemicals, such as acid, do. It is used for sanitation and oxidation of organic matter.
Formula:
Amount of Chlorine (oz, lb, fl. oz, gal) x Pool Volume (gal) / 10 x Adjustment (PPM) / 1 = Total Amount needed
To get the first value, you must decide which type of chlorine you will be using and at which concentration levels.
Each has it’s own number to raise Free Chlorine (FC) by 1PPM, as follows:
Calcium Hypochlorite (Cal Hypo) 65% AC = 2.0 oz
Cal Hypo 70% AC = 1.9 oz
Cal Hypo 75% AC = 1.8 oz
Sodium Hypochlorite (Liquid Chlorine)
12% AC = 10.7 fl oz
10% AC = 12.8 fl oz
Sodium Dichloro-s-triazinetrione (Dichlor)
56% AC = 2.38 oz
62% AC = 2.15 oz
Trichloro-s-triazinetrione (Trichlor)
90% AC = 1.5 oz
Lithium Hypochlorite (Lithium Hypo)
28% AC = 4.7 oz
35% AC = 3.8 oz
Chlorine Gas
100% AC = 1.3oz
For our example, we’ll just use liquid chlorine, or bleach at an AC level of 12%. Let’s say we’re standing over our 40,000 gal pool which has a chlorine reading of 1.0 PPM and we would like that number to be a 3 PPM.
Ex: 10.7 fl oz x 4 x 2 = 85.6 fl oz of liquid chlorine would be needed.
There are times when you will need to Super-chlorinate or Shock your pool or spa water. To calculate how much chlorine you will need to reach, what is called, “Breakpoint Chlorination”, you will need to measure, both, Free and Total Available Chlorine (FAC and TAC). If these numbers are not within 0.3 of each other, you need to shock.
Formula:
Step 1. TAC – FAC = Combined Active Chlorine (CAC)
Step 2. CAC x 10 = Adjustment
Step 3. Use the Chemical Adjustment Formula
Ex: Same pool as above but the FAC = 2.0 and TAC = 4.0
4.0 – 2.0 = 2.0
2.0 x 10 = 20.0
10.7 x 4 x 20 = 856 fl oz or 6.69 gallons of chlorine. Obviously, we can just use 7 gallons.
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
Things to Know About Your Swimming Pool/Spa Filter
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 will help you better understand your filter’s ability to remove matter from your pool’s water.
The Filter type, Filter Rate, Effectiveness and Media Life of each of the 3 types of pool filters is shown below.
Filter Media- Sand & Gravel:
Filter Rate= 1.5-5 GPM/SqFt
Effectiveness: 50-100 Microns
Media Life: Top Layer = Yearly. Entire Media = 5-10 years.
Filter Media- High Rate Sand
Filter Rate= 12-20 GPM/SqFt
Effectiveness= 25 Microns (clean filter)
Media Life= Top few inches= Yearly. Entire Media = 5-10 years.
Filter Media- D.E.
Filter Rate= 1-2 GPM/SqFt
Effectiveness= 1-2 Microns
Media Life= 2 months
Filter Media- Cartridge
Filter Rate= .0375- 1.0 GPM/SqFt
Effectiveness= 15 microns
Media Life= 6-36 months
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
Swimming Pool/ Spa Water Problems, Causes, Solutions and Preventions
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 the many commons problems found when maintaining a pool or spa, what may be the cause, common solutions and what you can do to prevent it happening to you again.
Problem: Cloudy Water
Possible Cause: Early algae growth, High pH, High Total
Alkalinity
Suggested Solution: See “Algae” section below, Lower
pH to 7.2-7.8, Lower Total
Alkalinity to 80-125
Preventative Maintenance: See “Algae” section below,
Maintain pH in ideal range,
Maintain Tot. Alk. in ideal
Range
Problem: Discolored Water
Possible Cause: Green/Hazy= algae, Green/Clear=
Copper or Iron,
Black/Purple/Red/Brown= Manganese
Suggested Solution: See “Algae” section below, Adjust
pH, Shock treat, Run filter,
continuously, until water is clear,
Use a metal remover followed by a
filter clean.
Preventative Maintenance: See “Algae” section below,
Maintain proper pH, Use a
sequestering agent
Problem: Algae
Possible Cause: Insufficient Chlorine
Suggested Solution: Adjust pH, Brush walls with steel
or nylon brush, shock, run filter
until water clears, clean filter. If
Yellow or Mustard algae- use an
algaecide.
Preventative Maintenance: Maintain a minimum free
chlorine reading of 1-3ppm
in all cases
Problem: Eye & Skin Irritation
Possible Cause: Improper pH, Chloramines
Suggested Solution: Adjust pH to 7.2-7.8, See “Chlorine
Odor” below
Preventative Maintenance: Maintain pH in 7.2-7.8
Range
Problem: Chlorine Odor
Possible Cause: Insufficient chlorine (The cause is,
not too much, but rather, not
enough chlorine.)
Suggested Solution: Adjust pH to 7.2-7.8, shock pool
to 10ppm of Free Chlorine (use
DPD test kit)
Preventative Maintenance: Shock treat pool weekly
or bi-weekly in the
summer.
Problem: Scale Formation
Possible Cause: High pH, High Total Alkalinity, High
Calcium Hardness
Suggested Solution: Lower pH to 7.2-7.8, Lower Tot.
Alk. to 80-120, Use sequestering
agent, Partially drain pool
Preventative Maintenance: Maintain pH at 7.2-7.8
range, Maintain T.A. at
80-120 range
(depending on type of
pool)
Problem: Corrosion of Metal Parts
Possible Cause: Low pH, Low Tot. Alk., Low Calcium
Hardness
Suggested Solution: Adjust pH to 7.2-7.8, Raise Tot.
Alk. to ideal range, Raise
Calcium Hardness to ideal range
Preventative Maintenance: Maintain pH at 7.2-7.8,
Maintain Tot. Alk. at 80
-120, Maintain Calcium
Hardness at 400-600
Ppm
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
Characteristics of Chlorine in Your Pool and Spa Water
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 the strength, types, physical properties of and pH effect of the different types of chlorine used in pools and spas. Also included are the same qualities of Bromine.
% of available chlorine:
Sodium Hypochlorite = 10-12%
Calcium Hypochlorite = 65-78%
Lithium Hypochlorite = 35%
Gas Chlorine = 100%
Trichlor = 90%
Dichlor = 56-63%
BCDMH Bromine = 27%
% of active strength:
Sod. Hypo. = 10-12%
Cal. Hypo. = 65-78%
Lith. Hypo. = 29%
Gas Chl. = 100%
Trichlor = >99%
Dichlor = >99%
Bromine = 95.5%
pH in 1% solution:
Sod. Hypo. = 13
Cal Hypo = 8.5-11
Lith Hypo = 10.8
Gas = 0
Trichlor = 2.8-3.5
Dichlor = 6.5-6.8
Bromine = 4.8
pH effect in water:
Sod Hypo = Raises
Cal Hypo = Raises
Lit Hypo = Raises
Gas = Lowers
Trichlor = Lowers
Dichlor = Neutral
Bromine = Lowers
Physical Appearance:
Sod Hypo = Liquid
Cal Hypo = Granular, Tabs, Brisquet
Lit Hypo = Granular
Gas = Gas
Trichlor = Granular, Tabs
Dichlor = Granular
Bromine = Tabs, Granular
Article by: Jef Kirchmaier, CPO, CPT, AEA, WQM
http://www.cpo2go.com
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