This sampling of FAQ’s should help with some basic chemistry information and troubleshooting issues. Of course, talking to your Atkinson Pools & Spas, BioGuard® Dealer is always your best bet.
Why should I be on a pool care program?
What is Free Available Chlorine?
What is total alkalinity (TA)?
What is calcium hardness (CH)?
What can I do if algae shows up in my pool?
What products can help me with stains caused by metals in the water?
How can I prevent scale from forming?
What can I do if my chlorine residual continues to be too low even after shocking?
How can I get rid of slime in my pool?
What’s the cure for foaming in my pool water?
My water looks cloudy. How can I fix that?
Why should I be on a pool care program?
By getting your pool on a program, you can establish a systematic maintenance plan that keeps your water prepared for whatever the season brings—erratic weather conditions, heavy bather loads, rising temperatures, and so forth. BioGuard makes it easy with our four different programs that account for all the products you’ll need to keep your pool sparkling clear and ready for swimming.
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 1.0 – 3.0 ppm. Below 1.0 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.
What is pH?
It’s a way to measure the acidity or alkalinity of water. This is the most important part of chemical balance because it protects the equipment, allows the sanitizer do its best job and increases swimmer enjoyment.