Pool Rx

Pool Rx Direct :

Pool Gallons	Pool RX Units	Pool RX Boosters
10 000	1	0
20 000	1	0
30 000	1	1
40 000	1	2

How it works :

The Pool’s Support System
The support equipment circulates, filters and heats the water in your pool. It also helps to evenly distribute the chemicals you add to control purity and balance.

The Pump: The pump is the heart of your pool’s support system. It circulates water through the filter and heater and then returns it to the pool. When choosing a pump, important factors to consider are it’s pumping capacity relative to your pool size, the operating costs and maintenance steps.

The filter: The filter’s job is to keep your pool’s water fresh and clean. Having the right filter is essential in good pool maintenance. There are three basic types of filters, all designed to remove oils, grease and dirt from pool water. The obvious time to clean the filter is when the water is no longer clear. However, don’t wait until the pool water loses clarity to check the filter. An increase in the pressure registered by a gauge on the filter tank or a reduction in the water circulation are signs that the filter needs to be cleaned. Dangerous pressures can build up inside a dirty filter and before you attempt any maintenance operation, be sure to consult the equipment operations manual.

1. High Rate Sand Filters - offer simplicity of operation and maintenance. Pool water is pumped through layers of sand inside a pressurized container. Dirt and grease particles are retained in the sand. The high-rate filter is cleaned by backwashing, which reverses the flow of water through the filter and pumps it out a waste line. Backwashing lifts the particles collected, raises the sand bed and cleans it.
2. The D.E. Filter - contains Diatomaceous Earth. A white powder that filters out very small particles. There are various methods of cleaning DE filters, including backwashing. The used DE must be replaced when you clean the filter.
3. The Cartridge Filter - is made up of fibrous material. These cartridges can be removed, hosed down and soaked in a cleaning agent. Cartridges are easily cleaned and also have a low replacement cost. They should be replaced when they fail to maintain clear water in the pool or when they show signs of wearing.
   

The Heater: Most pool owners who have heaters agree that it is a vital factor in expanding their pool use. Heaters can extend your swimming opportunities for more hours in the day and more months of the year. Look at a few facts first. Pool water of 78 F is what most people prefer for swimming. The sun alone can help achieve that temperature, but unless you live in a very warm climate, your pool will never exceed the average air temperature. Your heating options are gas, oil, electricity or solar. Size is another consideration. Don’t select a small heater on the initial cost alone.

The Surface Skimmer: One or more skimmers are included in properly designed pools. Skimmers draw in water accompanied by dirt, leaves, oil while pool drains remove particles suspended in the main body of water. Connected to the filtration system, skimmers help to keep the water’s surface clean and minimize the amount of debris that gets into the main body of water.
Most skimmers are built into the side of the pool, but portables are available. The skimmer is most effective if located on the down side of the wind. The wind will help push more water and blow leaves towards the skimmer.

Filtration and Circulation: This is essential as it prevents the water from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, algae and viruses. Most bacteria are too small to be collected by the filtration system and that requires the PoolRX and low residual oxidizers to disinfect the water. An enzyme and flocculent work effectively in bundling the bacteria, algae and viruses into larger molecules so they are caught up in the filtration system in the filter.

The Chemical Values you need to test and adjust
The challenge of maintaining water chemistry is quite manageable if you break the balancing effort down into the constituent parts, instead of trying to tackle it en masse.

Chemical Value	Chemical Description	Definition
pH	Acid/Base	The measure of acidity or base of the water
TA	Total Alkalinity	The total alkaline salt in solution in the water
TH	Total Hardness	The calcium and magnesium in solution in the water
Oxidizer	Chlorine/Bromine/Ozone	Oxidizing agent used to disinfect water
TDS	Total Dissolved Solids	The sum total of everything that has gone into solution in the water.
CYN	Cyanuric Acid	Cyanuric Acid (conditioner) used to prevent chlorine from dissipating in sunlight.

The first fact the pool owner needs to know when maintaining pool chemistry is the pool volume. This is important to administer the correct dosages of chemicals to the pool.

Average Depth = Deep End (feet) + Shallow End (feet) divide by 2

Rectangular / Square Pool:
	Length (feet) x Width (feet) x Average Depth x 7.5 = Total gallons
Circular Pool:
	Diametre x 2 x Average Depth x 7.5 = Total gallons
Oval Pool:
	Max Length (feet) x Max Width (feet) x Average Depth x 7.5 = Total gallons
Kidney Shaped Pool:
	Width of Shallow End (feet) + Width of Deep End (feet) x Length of Pool x 0.45 x Average Depth x 7.5 = Total gallons
Free Form Pool:
	Max Length (feet) x Max Width (feet) x Average Depth x 7.5 = Total gallons

PoolRX Water Balance
Water Balance means keeping four fundamentals in equilibrium: pH, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness and Oxidizer. Maintaining balance with the PoolRX is easy since it does not affect the water’s natural equilibrium.

pH.
pH is important as it controls the speed and nature of chemical reactions in a solution. A low pH makes chlorine more effective, but burns it off faster. A high pH slows the chlorine reaction rate, so it lasts longer.
The ideal range: Between 7.2 to 7.4.

The ideal range: Between 7.2 to 7.4.
Frequency: To be checked: every 7 days.

Low Ph: Can result in corroded metals, etched and stained plaster, eye/skin irritation, rapid chlorine loss and total alkalinity destruction. How to correct: Add soda ash to raise the pH, but this also has a secondary affect as it raises the Total Alkalinity. It is best to adjust the chemistry with small doses of chemicals at a time. High pH: Can result in cloudy water, scale formation, eye/skin irritation, poor chlorine efficiency and chloramine formation. How to correct: When the pH is high then the Total Alkalinity is usually also high. To lower the pH, add muriatic acid. If you previously oxidized with liquid chlorine, you may have experienced problems with pH bounce. This is a reaction caused when chlorine is added due to the high pH level. The pH level rises and then acid has to be added to neutralize the increase. With the POOLRX, this reaction does not occur, as the minerals in the system are pH neutral and do not effect pH levels. This cuts down on time and chemical cost spent balancing the chemistry roller coaster.

TA (Total Alkalinity)
TA is a measurement of the water’s ability to neutralize acid. Properly balanced TA acts as a buffer to limit abrupt and significant changes in the pool’s pH.

The ideal range: Between 80 and 140 ppm. Frequency: To be checked: every 30 days. Low TA: Can result in staining and etching of plaster, metal corrosion and pH bounce. How to correct: To raise the TA add bi-carbonate. High TA: Can result in cloudy water, scaling, fouled filter and heater elements and continual acid demand to keep pH in the ideal range. How to correct: To lower TA add muriatic acid.

 

TH (Total Hardness)
TH is the amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in water.
The ideal range: Between 175 and 400 ppm.

Frequency: To be checked: every 30 days Low TH: Can result in metal corrosion and etching of the pool plaster. How to correct: To increase TH is easy: add hardness increaser. High TH: Can result in hard rough discolored deposits on pool surfaces and equipment called scale, cloudy water, and mineral deposits. How to correct: To decrease TH partially drain the pool water and add fresh water with a low calcium hardness level or use a water softener or use a sequestering agent.

Oxidizer (Chlorine)
PoolRX recommends a chlorine feeder or floater with tablets that feeds out residuals of chlorine, thereby continuously keeping a low residual that is easier to maintain. Chlorine levels below 1.0 ppm are almost undetectable in water and are below EPA drinking water standards. This will give you a healthy swimming environment.

The ideal range: Between 0.5 to 1.0 ppm. Frequency: To be checked: every 7 days Low Cl: Can result in cloudy water and algae growth How to correct: Increase weekly tabs in feeder and shock with Dichlor granular High Cl: Can result in eye, skin and respiratory irritation. How to correct: Reduce chlorine applications until the level lowers to the desired range.

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)
This is the total sum of all matter that is in solution in the pool water.
The ideal range: Between 200 and 1500 ppm.
Frequency: To be checked once per month.

Low TDS: Good, clean fresh water How to correct: None necessary High TDS: Can result in scale build up. Above 2000 ppm pool chemistry management and algae control become very difficult. How to correct: Deceasing TDS is more difficult. You must completely replace the pool water. This should be done every 4-5 years to avoid excessive build up.

CYN (Cyanuric Acid) Conditioner/Stabilizer
The temporary bonding action protects the chlorine from sunlight radiation breakdown. By maintaining the correct levels you can make your chlorine last 4 times longer.
The ideal range: Between 20 and 90 ppm.

Frequency: To be checked once every 3 months. Low Cyn: Can result in difficulty maintaining a chlorine residual. How to correct: Add conditioner to the desired range. High Cyn: Can result in the chlorine not working effectively. How to correct: Partially drain pool and replace with fresh water.

7. PoolRX Minerals
Frequency to be checked. Every 6 months.

Low Minerals: can result in cloudy dull pool How to correct: Install new Booster of PoolRX minerals every 6 months or beginning of each swim season replace unit every other year.

The Conventional Chlorine System:
One problem with liquid chlorine is that it raises pH levels. As the pH rises, a common problem with most pools, chlorine becomes almost totally ineffective. When the pH is 8.0 chlorine is only 22% effective and at 8.5 only 8% effective.

pH level	% active chlorine	% inactive chlorine
7.0	75	25
7.5	48	52
8.0	22	78
8.5	8	92

Another problem with liquid chlorine is the difficulty of maintaining a residual in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 ppm. Chlorine is rapidly dissipated by sunlight and absorbed through the skin of bathers.

Types of Oxidizers
The purity of the water must be maintained with a chemical called an oxidizer. Enough oxidizer must reside in the water to dissolve ammonia and nitrogen compounds brought into the pool by bathers, wind and rain.
Ozone
Ozone is a reactive gaseous oxidizer. It is generated by a device - an ozonator - and is dispersed into pool water where it kills micro-organisms and removes other impurities in the water. The plumbing in pools that use ozone should be designed to minimize any ozone exposure to swimmers. A second oxidizer like bromine or chlorine is required with ozone to ensure that a disinfectant residual is maintained in the pool. Ozone is also not an effective algaecide.

Bromine (DO NOT USE WITH THE POOLRX SYSTEM)

In the pool industry, the generic word “bromine” normally refers to any disinfectant that releases total bromine - also known as hypobromous acid- when dissolved in water.

Baquacil (DO NOT USE WITH THE POOLRX SYSTEM)

Chlorine
In the pool industry, the generic word “chlorine” normally refers to any disinfectant that releases free available chlorine- also known as hypochlorous acid- when dissolved in water. Chlorine disinfectants are the most commonly used pool oxidizers:

Cal Hypo (Calcium hypochlorite) : This oxidizer is a white solid that quickly dissolves in water to produce free available chlorine. Cal hypo is available as a granular product and in various tablet shapes. Cal hypo has the highest chlorine content of all fast-dissolving chlorine disinfectants.

Dichlor (Sodium dichlor-s-triazinetriones) : This oxidizer is a white granular solid that quickly dissolves in water to produce free available chlorine. Dichlor contains a stabilizer that improves chlorine stability in the pool that is exposed to sunlight. Dichlor has a minimal effect on pH and total alkalinity.

Gaseous chlorine : This oxidizer is a gas that is stored in high pressure cylinders. Gaseous chlorine must only be administered to pools by trained technicians in accordance with guidelines from the chlorine institute, the EPA, and other applicable codes and regularatory requirements.

Liquid chlorine (Sodium hypochlorite) : This oxidizer is a lightly colored liquid. Liquid chlorine has a relatively low chlorine content when compared to solid chlorine disinfectants.

Lithium hypochlorite : This oxidizer is a white granular solid that rapidly dissolves in water to produce free available chlorine.

Trichlor (Trichlor-s-triazinetrione) : This oxidizer is a white solid that slowly dissolves in water to produce free available chlorine. Trichlor is most commonly available in various tablet shapes. Trichlor contains a stabilizer that improves the chlorine stability in pool water that is exposed to sunlight. Trichlor has the highest chlorine content of all solid chlorine.

Chlorine Choices with the POOLRX:
PoolRX recommends Trichlor tabs in a floater or chlorine feeder system to maintain a constant residual of 0.5 ppm.

Trichlor (tabs 1” or 3”)
90% available stabilized chlorine.
pH of 2.8 - 3.0
Soda ash may be needed to regulate pH.
Recommendation:
Pools pH tends to rise naturally so Trichlor’s low pH will almost balance out rising pH. If further oxidization is required we suggest using Dichlor as it has a pH of 7.0 or Potassium Monopersulphate (a non chlorine shock).

Dichlor
63% - 56% available stabilized chlorine.
pH of 6.5 - 7.0
No pH adjustment
Recommendation:
This form of chlorine is great for light shocking to get rid of cloudiness in the water as it will not disturb the pool chemistry as it is pH neutral. It also dissolves quickly. We suggest using this together with Trichlor tabs in a chlorine floater.

Liquid chlorine
9% - 15% available chlorine.
pH is 13
Stabilizer needs to be added to the pool water as liquid chlorine is not stabilized.
Recommendation:
This chlorine should be used for light shocking only.

Calcium hypochlorite
65% available chlorine.
pH is 11.8
Stabilizer needs to be added to the pool water as the chlorine is not stabilized.
Acid is needed to regulate the pH
The calcium is not soluble, it can cause cloudiness.
Recommendation:
PoolRX does not recommend using this oxidizer as it is high in Calcium

Lithium hypochlorite
35% available chlorine.
pH is 10.8
Small amounts of acid are needed to regulate pH.
Recommendation:
This product dissolves quickly with no calcium build up. It is good for dark plaster, fiberglass and vinyl pools.

Factors Affecting the Longevity of Oxidizers and POOLRX:

Bathing load : The greater the number of swimmers who use your pool, the more disinfectant you will need. This also affects the amount of PoolRX lost due to splash out and filter backwashing.

Sunlight : The greater the sun’s intensity, the faster the dissipation of the oxidizer “residual”. The loss of chlorine caused by sunlight can be minimized by “stabilizing” the pool water with cyanuric acid or by using a chlorinated cyanuric chemical on a daily basis. The performance of PoolRX is not affected by direct sunlight.

Water Temperature : The warmer the pool’s water, the shorter the life of most chemicals used as oxidizer. This process is greatly accelerated when water temperature exceeds 85 degrees. The performance of PoolRX is not affected by varying water temperature.

Wind and rain : These elements carry dust, bacteria, algae spores and other debris into the pool, thus overworking chemical oxidizer and reducing their power to sanitize. This effect is increased when there are many shrubs and trees near the pool. The PoolRX minerals are also overworked through additional sanitization and this will affect their long term power to cleanse the water.

pH balance : As the pH of the pool rises, oxidizer action slows down. More oxidizer must then be added to maintain proper sanitization. The ideal pH range is between 7.4 and 7.8. The performance of PoolRX is not affected by pH fluctuations.

Total Alkalinity : If total alkalinity is low (below 80), the pH of the pool water may fluctuate widely . If the alkalinity is too high (above 140 ppm), it will tend to maintain pH at a higher level, thereby slowing the activity of the oxidizer.

PoolRX Installation Guide - First time installation

1. Clean out or backwash the filter.
2. Clean leaf trap basket and skimmer basket.
3. Do not add chlorine unless the reading is below 0.5 ppm
4. Adjust pool chemistry to ideal levels.
5. Place the blue plastic cylindrical unit in the leaf trap basket in the filter
6. (preferable) or in the skimmer leaf basket.
7. We recommend using PoolRX Stain Control on a newly plastered pool and pools that have fresh water added from an underground spring. The Stain Control is not needed for the PoolRX Minerals, but for metals from other water sources. This not only protects the pool surface from stains but also protects the plaster and equipment from etching and scale build up.
8. The minerals in the core of the ionization rod will slowly dissolve and be dispersed into the pool.
9. A blue cloud may appear from the inflow jets in the pool. This is normal and will disappear when the circulation distributes the minerals throughout the entire pool.
10. The concentration of minerals is determined by the volume of water. See chart for guide to correct dosages.
11. Continue to maintain the basic water chemistry on a weekly basis.
    

See the chapter on chlorine for choices on reducing your chlorine even further.

Booster installation:
At the start of the new swimming season, additional PoolRX minerals need to be added to the pool. The additional minerals come in a granular form, in an 8Oz plastic container. The PoolRX Booster is available from PoolRX.com or  1800-3PoolRX or at your local pool store. The table below indicates the quantity of recharge for the volume of pool.

Adding a booster to your pool:

1. Clean out or backwash the filter.
2. Clean leaf trap basket and skimmer basket.
3. Do not add chlorine unless the reading is below 0.5 ppm
4. Adjust pool chemistry to ideal levels.
5. Clean the plastic cylindrical unit from leaves, dog hair and other obstructions.
6. Place the blue tablet in the skimmer on the side of pool, it does not have to go back into the unit.
7. A blue cloud may appear from the jets in the pool. This is normal and will disappear when the circulation distributes the minerals through out the pool.
8. Continue to maintain the basic water chemistry on a weekly basis.

See the chapter on chlorine for choices on reducing your chlorine levels even further.

Pool Gallons	Boosters
20 000	1
30 000	2
40 000	3

PoolRX Trouble Shooting Guide Cont.

Problem	Possible Causes	Solution
Low Sanitizer levels	Too little chlorine residual in water	Maintain a residual of no less than 0.5 ppm chlorine at all times
Poor circulation	No flowing water in certain areas of the pool	Check outflow jets & adjust for better circulation
Excessive foliage & trees surrounding the pool	Leaves & plants bringing algae spores & bacteria into the water	Cut away growth & trim trees away from pool perimeter
Animals swimming in the pool	Dusty animals bringing algae spores & bacteria into the water	Limit your pets use in the pool
Stains:
Blue / Green	Copper or Iron from corrosion of pool equipment, heating elements. Low pH levels, Low TA levels, High TDS	Maintain ideal pH & TA levels. Brush stained areas. Use the PoolRX stain control. Test water for dissolved metals.
Eye/Skin Irritation:
Low Ph	Water too acidic	Maintain ideal pH level
Chloramines	Low or high pH levels, Low or high TA levels, Low sanitizer	Reduce pH to 7.0 & give water a dose of PoolRX Oxidizer to break up the chloramines into free available chlorine.
Etched Plaster:
Low pH	Low pH levels, Low TA levels	Test pH & TA levels, make appropriate adjustments & consult a professional service technician or your pool supply store for more information
Scale Formation:
Scale	High pH levels, High TA levels, High TDS levels, High calcium hardness levels	Test pH & TA levels and make the appropriate adjustments. Use PoolRX 4 in 1 to fight the scale build up.