How To's

How To's

Correct testing procedures can make all the difference in your results. See the tips listed below to reduce your chances for incorrect readings.

How To Test Your Water Correctly

  1. Insert your clean plastic test tube AT LEAST 18" below the water's surface and fill with pool water
  2. Look at the fill line at eye level and adjust to the proper fill line.
  3. Drop the proper amounts of reagents for the specific test and aim the test tube towards northern light to get true color comparison.
  4. Swirl to thoroughly mix reagent and water sample. When titrating (matching dropwise), the sample must be swirled after each drop.
  5. Be sure that you hold the dropper completely vertical (straight up and down) to ensure correct drop size.
  6. After comparing, discard the sample properly and be sure to rinse the test tube out completely with tap water. Replace caps on reagent bottles to avoid external contamination.

Helpful Tips:

  • Never mix different manufacturer's reagents. OP Aquatics recommends and sells Taylor Test Kits and Replacement Reagents.
  • Be sure to use the correct amount of drops for each test.
  • Test water immediately after taking sample (don't let it sit).
  • Always follow manufacturer's instructions completely.
 
 Pool Sizing Guide
POOL SIZING GUIDE

Before you can know the amount of chemicals needed to insure proper sanitation, you must know the amount of water your pool holds.Use the following formula to determine Total Volume in gallons:

Formula:

Surface Area X Average Depth X Constant = Total Gallons

To calculate average depth, add minimum depth and maximum depth and divide by 2.

EXAMPLE: A swimming pool 30' X 60' - Depth 3' - 9'

3' + 9' = 12' ÷ 2= 6' Average Depth

RECTANGULAR POOL:

Length X Width X Average Depth X 7.5 = Total Gallons

30' X 60' X 6' x 7.5 = 81,000 gallons of water in the pool.

CIRCULAR POOL:

Diameter X Diameter X Average Depth X 5.9 = Total Gallons

EXAMPLE: Round Pool 24' diameter - Average Depth 5'

24' X 24' X 5' X 5.9 = 16,992 gallons of water in pool.

OVAL POOL:

Long Diameter X Short Diameter X Average Depth X 5.9 = Total Gallons

EXAMPLE: Oval Pool 35' X 70' - Average depth 6'

35' X 70' X 6' X 5.9 = 86,730 gallons of water in the pool.
 Pool Vocabulary

POOL VOCABULARY

  • Acid: Chemical normally used to lower pH or Total Alkalinity of pool water
  • ALGAE: Small plants which grow in water and cause discoloration
  • ALGAECIDE: Chemical used to prevent or kill algae growth
  • ALKALINITY: Amount of alkaline materials in pool water, related to pH
  • ALKALINE: A condition when water is above 7 on pH scale
  • BACTERIA: Invisible living germs which are continually being brought into your pool and are harmful to swimmers
  • BACKWASHING: Reversing water flow through the filter to remove trapped dirt and flush it to waste.
  • CHLORAMINES: Chlorine which has combined with nitrogen. Cause eye irritation, unpleasant odors and minimal sanitizing of pool water
  • Chlorine: the most commonly used sanitizing agent for swimming pools
  • Chlorine DEMAND: The amount of chlorine required to destroy bacteria, chloramines and other pool water contaminants.
  • Chlorine RESIDUAL: The chlorine level in the water after the chlorine demand has been satisfied. The Free Available Chlorine (FAC) residual is the true measure of chlorine disinfection.
  • CO2 (CARBON DIOXIDE): A natural, non-corrosive gas that can be used as a substitute for liquid acid in chemical treatment of swimming pools and spas
  • Cyanuric Acid: See Stabilizer
  • D.E. (DIATOMACEOUS EARTH): A white powder-like substance consisting of tiny diatom skeletons. The porous skeletons make an excellent filter media.
  • DRY Acid (Sodium BISULPHATE): A granular chemical used to lower pH or Total Alkalinity
  • ENZYMES: Works with your current sanitizer to eliminate and prevent scum line, cloudy water and chemical odors.
  • Hardness: The quantity of calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water. High levels can cause scale deposits and cloudy water, low levels can cause part and equipment erosion.
  • HYPOCHLOROUS Acid: The active form of chlorine in water. The "Free Chlorine"
  • Muriatic Acid: A liquid chemical used for lowering pH and Total Alkalinity
  • pH: A measure of pool water acidity or alkaline. Readings below 7.0 are acidic; readings above 7.0 are alkaline
  • PPM: Parts per million, the standard measure of concentration of a substance in water.
  • SCALE: Deposits caused by minerals (mainly calcium carbonate) precipitating and adhering to the pool walls, filter or heater. Scale is generally off-white, grey or brown in color.
  • Stabilizer: Also called Cyanuric Acid or conditioner. A granular chemical which when used properly will inhibit the ultra-violet rays or the sun from destroying the chlorine.
  • SHOCK Treatment (SUPER CHLORINATION): The practice of adding a granular oxidizer or approximately 5 times the normal chlorine dosage in order to burn-out chloramines and non-filterable wastes.

 

 

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