This blog is about swimming pools, spas and hot tubs and how to maintain them.
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 By swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk
There is a new product on the market that will help keep your spa filter cartridge in pristine condition. The Darlly Cyclone Filter Cleaner is a ground-breaking pool and spa filter cartridge cleaning device which has been ergonomically designed by Darlly, one of the leading suppliers of filter cartridges in the world.
The trigger controlled unit has been manufactured using the highest quality materials. The bristles enable the cleaner to remove a lot more dirt, debris and grease than other traditional cleaning devices. This is the first device on the market that uses brushes combined with high power water jets. This creates a ‘Brush and Flush’ action which allows for effortless yet intensive filter cleaning.
The Cyclone Filter Cleaner is extremely easy to use. Simply fit it to the end of your garden hose, turn the tap on and it is ready to go. It is available on our website for £27.99.
By swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk
Throughout the summer months we are often asked by customers what they should do with their pool when they go away on holiday. With this in mind we have recently introduced 500g Multifunctional Holiday Tablets in to our product range. The standard 200g Multifunctional Tablets are one of the key products in the swimming pool market. The reason for this is that they have three vital components which means they do the majority of the work for you. These components are;
- Chlorine – To kill any bacteria or viruses that get into the water.
- Algaecide – To help prevent algae growing in the water.
- Flocculant – To ensure your water is looking at its sparkling best!
In addition to this they also help lower the pH and alkalinity levels and they also contain a stabiliser which will prevent the chlorine being broken down by sunlight.
The 500g Multifunctional Holiday Tablets boast all the aforementioned benefits as well as one other key advantage. Due to the size of the tablet it takes longer to fully dissolve than the 200g tablet, meaning you do not have to replace the tablet as often. A 500g tablet takes approximately 14 days to dissolve whereas a 200g tablet takes approximately 5-7 days to dissolve. This is ideal if you are away from your property for a long period of time. Adding one 500g tablet to each of your skimmer baskets before you go away will help ensure that your pool is dosed with chlorine, alagecide and flocculant, giving you that peace of mind that your pool is being well looked after.
By swimmngpoolchemicals.co.uk
 Our 2013 pricelist is out now and we have reduced the prices on a number of our best selling products for this season. Our main objective has always been to provide you with pool and spa chemicals at competitive prices so we always try and keep our prices as low as possible. This season we have managed to reduce the prices on a number of products including;
- Chlorine Shock
- 200g Multifunctional Tablets
- Stabilised 200g Chlorine Tablets
- Above Ground Pool Kits
- Spring Start Up Kits
- Winterising Kits
- Spa Starter Kits
In addition to this the remainder of our chemicals are available at the same prices as 2012 along with the majority of our testing equipment and accessories. For the 2013 season we also have a number of new products available, which we will feature in more detail in the coming weeks. These products include;
- 500g Multifunctional Holiday Tablets
- Cyclone Spa Filter Cleaning Brush
- Darlly Duck – Prevents scum lines appearing on spas and hot tubs
- More Intex solar covers
- Heat Pumps
Please visit our website for full details on our 2013 prices and product range.
By swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk
Over the next few weeks many pool owners across the UK will be thinking about opening their pool for the season. With this in mind here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to get your pool ready.
Preparing the Pool
- Remove any leaves and debris from the winter cover. Take the winter cover off, clean it and store it away.
- Connect the pool pump and filter and reconnect all hoses and electrical connections.
- Remove leaves and debris from skimmers, filters, pumps and drains.
- Remove any debris and leaves that are in the pool using a leaf skimmer.
- Fill the water up to the proper water level. The water should be halfway up the skimmer opening.
- Turn on the filter pump and make sure all skimmers, bottom drains and filters are functioning properly.
Adjusting the pH and Alkalinity Levels
- After the pool filter has been running for 3-4 hours, test the pH and alkalinity levels and compare with the table below.
- To reduce the pH level use pH Reducer. Dissolve a small amount (450g per 10,000 gallons) in a bucket of pool water and distribute it around the pool with the filter operating. Retest after 4 hours.
- To increase the pH level first adjust the Alkalinity to between 60-100ppm. To increase the Alkalinity level by 12ppm add 1kg Alkalinity Builder per 10,000 gallons directly to the pool with the filter operating. Retest the Alkalinity level and the pH level after 4 hours.
- If the pH level is still too low dissolve a small amount (450g per 10,000 gallons) of pH Increaser in a bucket of pool water and distribute it around the pool with the filter operating. Retest after 4 hours. Repeat this dosage if necessary.
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Low |
OK |
Ideal |
OK |
High |
| pH |
Less than 7.0 |
7.0-7.2 |
7.2-7.6 |
7.6-7.8 |
Over 7.8 |
| Total Alkalinity |
Less than 40ppm |
40-60ppm |
60-100ppm |
100-120ppm |
Over 120ppm |
Shock Treat the Pool
- Brush the pool walls and steps and vacuum up any debris. This will expose the algae to the chlorine.
- Dissolve 500 grams per 10,000 gallons of Chlorine Shock in a bucket of pool water and distribute around the pool. DO NOT ADD TO THE SKIMMER BASKET IF IT HAS HAD STABILISED CHLORINE IN IT AS IT MAY EXPLODE IF MIXED!!!
- Depending on how green the pool is it might require several shock treatments. If your pool is very green you can double the initial shock dose. Following the shock dose, backwash the filter to remove any debris.
Stabilising the Chlorine Level
- After a few days your chlorine level should have returned to normal (see table). Once it has you can now add a 200g Multifunctional tablet or 200g Stabilised Chlorine tablet to your skimmer basket or dispenser.
- To improve the clarity of the water add Sparkle Water Clarifier to a bucket of pool water and distribute around the pool.
- To prevent algae re-occurring add Polyquat Algaecide to a bucket of pool water and distribute around the pool.
|
Low |
OK |
Ideal |
OK |
High |
| Chlorine |
Less than 0.5ppm |
0.5-1.0ppm |
1.0-3.0ppm |
3.0-5.0ppm |
Over 5.0ppm |
Daily Maintenance
- Monitor Chlorine, pH and Alkalinity levels using AquaChek Free Chlorine Test Strips.
Weekly Maintenance
- Clean the skimmer baskets and brush the walls, steps and bottom of the pool. Vacuum if necessary.
- Clean the strainer basket before the pump. When this is complete backwash the filter.
- Shock dose the pool. Dissolve the required amount (see instructions) of Chlorine Shock in a bucket of pool water and distribute around the pool. DO NOT ADD TO THE SKIMMER BASKET IF IT HAS HAD STABILISED CHLORINE IN IT AS IT MAY EXPLODE IF MIXED!!!
- Add Sparkle Water Clarifier to a bucket of pool water and distribute around the pool.
- Add Polyquat Algaecide to a bucket of pool water and distribute around the pool.
Dosing Information – Health and Safety
- Always wash out the container you mix chemicals in thoroughly with pool water before and after use.
- Do not ever mix chemicals together
- Always add chemicals to water not water to chemicals.
By swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk
Pool and spa chemicals can be very dangerous if they are not handled in the correct manner. With this in mind we have put together some health and safety tips for you.
Storage
- It is very important to keep all chemicals dry.
- Don’t store chemicals where other materials can fall on to them.
- Don’t store more chemicals than you have to.
- Calcium Hypochlorite is a hazardous chemical which doesn’t keep well. We recommend that you don’t buy more than a year’s worth at a time.
- Sodium Hypochlorite loses strength quickly therefore don’t buy more than 3 months supply at a time.
- Make sure all chemicals are locked away from small children.
Dosing
- Don’t put wet scoops or wet hands into the chemicals.
- Add chemicals to water. NOT water to chemicals.
- NEVER MIX CHEMICALS. When adding chemicals to your pool add them one at a time and rinse the mixing bucket out in between each dose. Ideally use a different mixing bucket for each chemical. This is especially important when handling chlorine. Stabilised Chlorine (Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate or Trichloroisocyanuric Acid) and Unstabilised Chlorine (Calcium Hypochlorite or Sodium Hypochlorite) react violently when mixed together. Once they are added separately into the pool they are fine.
- Use gloves and glasses when handling chemicals.
- Always read the product label or MSDS before using any chemical. This will contain usage instructions and the relevant health and safety guidance for that chemical.
By swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk
We recently came across this article on the Guardian website. Emergency rescue crews were called to a property in Linkoping, Sweden after an Elk had found its way into the owners swimming pool. The large mammal had apparently stepped on the metal pool cover causing it to give way. It is not clear how long it had been stuck in the pool but it was eventually rescued by the crew and led to more familiar surroundings!
By swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk
 Lets hope for a drier 2013! We would like to wish all our blog readers a Happy New Year and we hope you all enjoyed the festive period.
2012 wasn’t really a year for swimming pools as wet weather meant that we didn’t really experience a summer! The BBC recently reported that it was the second wettest year on record with 1,330.7mm of rain falling during 2012. This was just 6.6mm less than the record set in 2000. Lets hope for a drier 2013!!
Throughout 2013 we will continue to bring you helpful advice on pools and spas and also keep you up to date with any new products. We will also share any interesting stories that catch our eye in the world of pools and spas.
All the best for 2013!
By swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk
 AquaScents is a range of spa fragrances designed to enhance your spa or hot tub experience. Sit back, relax and enjoy any one of the six scents in the AquaScents range. The range includes cedarwood, chamomile, peppermint eucalyptus, relaxing lavender, sandalwood and tangerine and grapefruit, all of which come in 250ml bottles. No special dosing system is needed either. Just simply add 2 or 3 capfuls, depending on the strength of scent you desire and then relax and enjoy your scent of choice. None of the fragrances in the AquaScents range have any effect on the chemistry of the water so there is no need to worry about them altering your chemical levels.
Finally a 250ml bottle is available for just £6.99 so why not treat yourself!
We recently received a question from one of our customers regarding a problem with his spa and cloudiness caused after treating for algae. We would like to share our answer with you, and hopefully help you all in keeping your pool or spa sparkling bright.
Question:
Is cloudy water always caused by dead algae? In my spa we sometimes open it and find a cloudy look as in your video, but may have added dichlor the night before. Flocculant doesn’t appear to shift it and the filter is clean. Should I shock before flocculant or is it as I suspect, the first sign that it is time to change the water? I have never bought dedicated shock treatments, just added a serious dose of chlorine. Also, is there a way to stop the water feeling ‘thick’ after a few months, or is this another sign that the spa is ready for a scrub out.
Answer
Cloudy water is not always caused by dead algae in a spa or hot tub. In fact it is rare for algae to grow in a hot tub. The reason is algae requires nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates to grow. These are present in a hot tub algae also requires light. A hot tub normally has a lid on to prevent heat loss when it is not in use so there is no light.
Algae will not grow in the presence of even a small concentration of chlorine. A hot tub or spa that has no chlorine or bromine in it will quickly go cloudy due to other micro-organisms growing. The hot tub usually will feel slimy on the sides when this happens. This may be cleared if you quickly add some oxyshock or stabilised chlorine granules. You should not use traditional pool shock treatment (calcium hypochlorite) in hot tubs as it will cause scaling of the heater and eventually the sides. Oxyshock is fine.
However my experience is that if it has had time to go really cloudy it is difficult to clear. Then the hot tub needs to emptied and cleaned. You should shock before flocculating if you think the cloudiness is due to low chlorine or bromine. If the cloudiness is due to contamination such as make up or skin lotions flocculation should be sufficient on its own.
When the water has been in for a few months it does feel thick. This is because all the soluble chemicals and contaminants you have put into the water accumulate. The water tends to foam a lot and goes off quickly. It is time to change the water and clean the tub.
The other thing that can cause hot tubs to go cloudy in hard water areas is calcium hardness precipitating out. Usually you will be getting white scaly deposits around the water line before this happens. You are particularly likely to get this cloudiness if you use sodium carbonate to raise the pH in a hard water area. (In a hot tub the pH can be raised by adding alkalinity builder). To get rid of the scale use stain and scale inhibitor or soften the water when you refill the tub.
I hope this helps.
By swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk
 Spa and hot tub owners who live in hard water areas will be pleased to know there is now a product on the market that can eradicate many of the problems caused by hard water. Hard water occurs due to the rain water filtering through soluble rock such as limestone and chalk, resulting in mineral salts like calcium dissolving into it. High levels of calcium are not good for your spa. Not only can calcium deposits (scale) appear on the surface of your spa, but scale can also build up on internal pipe work and heater. This can lead to substantial damage if not treated accordingly.
Until now the only way to get rid of the calcium from your water supply was to fit a water softener. Now there is a new product on the market offering a quick simple way of reducing calcium hardness.
The Darlly Pure-Stream is an ion exchange resin pre-filter which can be used every time you refill your spa. It attaches to your garden hose and removes unwanted calcium and magnesium from your incoming water supply and replaces it with soft sodium instead.
The Pure-Stream filter is suitable for 8,000 gallons of water therefore if your spa holds 200 gallons of water it will last approximately 40 fills.
It is available to buy from our website for £31.99
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