This sampling of FAQs should help with some basic chemistry information and trouble-shooting issues. Of course, talking to your BioGuard® Dealer, Campbell’s Pool & Spa, can help you sort through it all.
What can I do if algae shows up in my pool?
My water looks cloudy. How can I fix that?
What is the purpose of sanitizing my pool?
What is Free Available Chlorine?
Why do I have to "shock" my pool water?
What products help with stains caused by metals in the water?
How can I prevent scale from forming?
How often should I clean my pool filter?
What is pH?
What is total alkalinity (TA)?
What is calcium hardness (CH)?
What is Chlorine Demand?
WHAT CAN I DO IF ALGAE SHOWS UP IN MY POOL?
Campbell's and BioGuard® offer many solutions based on your individual needs. Campbell's will make educated recommendations after performing a free water sample test. Campbell's and BioGuard have products such as:
Banish® to kill all types of swimming pool algae.
Spot Kill® which is formulated to kill black algae on walls.
Spot Kill WP, which should only be used on white-plaster pools, is also formulated for killing black algae on walls.
MY WATER LOOKS CLOUDY. HOW CAN I FIX THAT?
Your best course of action is to bring a water sample and let us test it. We can test your water for free and provide personalized instructions on the best corrective measures.
Some suggestions we may provide are:
when pH is high
Lo 'N Slo®
when filter is dirty
Strip Kwik®
Kleen It®
for shocking when Free Available Chlorine
level is low
Smart Shock®
Burn Out Extreme®
Burn Out® 35
EasyShock and Swim®
Polysheen® Blue
(which is also an excellent water clarifier)
Note: For BioGuard SoftSwim® pools, use SoftSwim Filter Aid and Flocculent
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SANITIZING MY POOL?
Sanitizing pool water kills bacteria that can be harmful to bathers and also aids in controlling algae. You need to constantly check and maintain your sanitizer level because bacteria enters the pool continuously from many sources. BioGuard® offers several chlorine/bromine based sanitizer options including our Mineral Springs® program or explore our non-chlorine sanitizer program, SoftSwim®.
WHAT IS FREE AVAILABLE CHLORINE?
This is the active chlorine in the water that has not combined with organic matter and is therefore available for killing bacteria and algae. The proper range for free chlorine residual is 1-3 ppm. Below 1 ppm can cause swimmer irritation, cloudy water and even allow algae to grow. You should test often throughout the summer when the pool is used most.
WHY DO I HAVE TO 'SHOCK' MY POOL WATER?
"Shocking" your pool water chemically destroys the organic contaminants introduced by bathers and the environment. They restore water clarity, help maintain water balance and eliminate the main causes of eye and nose irritation.
WHAT PRODUCTS HELP WITH STAINS CAUSED BY METALS IN THE WATER?
Pool Magnet® Plus ties up copper and iron to prevent stains
Sparkle-Up® aids in removal of copper and iron from the water
Stain Remover removes most stains caused by metals
SoftSwim® Stain Control ties up metals to prevent stains in SoftSwim® pools
HOW CAN I PREVENT SCALE FORMATION?
Use BioGuard® Scale Inhibitor to help prevent scale formation that can cause serious damage to pool surface and equipment. Keeping pH and calcium hardness in range will also help to prevent scale buildup.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY POOL FILTER?
It is recommended that pool filters be cleaned at least two times per pool season - mid-summer and in the fall - or more often if needed. The filter should also be cleaned at spring opening if it wasn't cleaned as part of the pool closing procedure in the fall. Strip Kwik® removes oil and grease while Kleen It® removes dirt, scale and metals from from all filter types. Use SoftSwim® Filter Cleaner for SoftSwim pools.
WHAT IS pH?
pH is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of water. This is the most important part of chemical balance because it protects the equipment, allows the sanitizer to do its best job and increases swimmer enjoyment.
Ideal range 7.4 to 7.6
If it's too low, use BioGuard Balance Pak® 200.
If it's too high, use BioGuard Lo 'N Slo®.
WHAT IS TOTAL ALKALINITY (TA)?
It's a measurement of the water's ability to resist changes in pH. pH can be affected by environmental factors such as acid rain, pollution, run-off from the surrounding land, and fertilizers, to name a few. Keeping the TA at the proper range will help prevent pH from fluctuating and help prevent scale and cloudy water.
Ideal range 125 to 150 ppm
If it's too low, use BioGuard Balance Pak® 100
If it's too high, use BioGuard Lo 'N Slo®.
WHAT IS CALCIUM HARDNESS(CH)?
It's the amount of dissolved calcium in the water. Keeping CH at the proper range will help protect equipment and keep water sparkling. It also helps prevent cloudy water.
Ideal range 175 to 225 ppm (200 to 275 ppm for plaster and SoftSwim®).
If it's too low, use BioGuard Balance Pak® 300.
If it's too high, use BioGuard Scale Inhibitor.
If over 400 ppm, it may be necessary to partially drain the pool and add source water with lower CH.
WHAT IS CHLORINE DEMAND?
Chlorine demand is the consistent inability to maintain a chlorine residual in a pool. It is caused by a buildup of contaminants which creates an "overload" on the sanitizing system. Quite simply, it means that more sanitizer is required than is being provided to the water.
There are two ways to treat chlorine demand. The first is to add the appropriate amount of chlorine. The quickest way to find out what that amount is, would be to have a BioGuard dealer run a chlorine demand test on the Accu-Demand30®. The second way to treat chlorine demand is to drain some of the water and replace with fresh water. While this will not completely take care of the demand, it can help lower the amount of product needed.
