Initial pool balance
Before you begin using the CHEMFLO+ make sure your pool water is balanced as follows:
Chlorine
If it is a new installation, add enough chlorine (liquid or granular) to achieve a reading of
3ppm on an appropriate test kit.
Stabiliser –needs to be 50ppm
If the pool is outdoors, it is vital that stabiliser (also known as cyanurate and cyanuric acid)
be added and maintained at 40ppm to 60ppm. This compound reduces chlorine
destruction due to sunlight. However, too much stabiliser will reduce the effectiveness of
chlorine and can result in poor quality water so ensure stabiliser does not exceed 80ppm.
Good stabiliser level keeps good chlorine levels and reduces maintenance.
pH –for efficient operation we recommend a pH of 7.6
For chlorine to be effective, the pH must be within a certain range. This is usually between
6.8 (fibreglass/liner pools) or 7.2 (concrete/plaster) and 7.8.
Adjust pH down with acid –powder, liquid sulphuric or liquid hydrochloric. Be very careful
with acid as it can be harmful and corrosive.
Total Alkalinity (TA) –keep it between 80ppm and 120ppm
Total alkalinity is also known as carbonate hardness or TA for short. The recommended
level is between 80 and 120ppm.
TA is related to pH in that it stops the pH from varying quickly with small additions of acidic
or alkaline chemicals. When the TA is low it is almost impossible to control the pH.
To raise the TA, buffer (sodium bicarbonate) is added. This must be done slowly as buffer
will also cause the pH to rise. As an approximate rule every increase of 20ppm of TA will
also cause a 0.1 rise in pH. Once buffer is added it should be left to mix in the pool for a
few hours before reducing the pH.
Phosphates and Ammonia Nitrogen –both should be 0ppm
Phosphate and ammonia nitrogen will make your garden green –and they will do the same
thing to your pool. Check for phosphates and add phosphate remover if necessary. Don’t
let fertiliser get into your pool! Phosphates are also in some cleaning products –check the
label if using around your pool.
When Controlling a Salt Water Chlorinator
Follow the directions for the initial balance for your SWC unit –the difference is likely to
only be the addition of salt or minerals. Note that the CHEMFLO+ unit will turn the power to
the SWC unit on and off –the SWC unit must be capable of functioning in this manner and
should be set to manual operation only (not automatic).
