In this Issue:
SPRING POOL OPENING TIPS
These are directed at pools that were in good condition at closing.
MESH COVERED POOLS
For best results open your pool before pollen hits. At pollen's appearance, algae will begin blooming in mesh covered pools because typical mesh covered pools intensify the sun's light and encourage algae growth. If you're concerned about pollen, Skim Mors will grab pollen in the skimmer(s) before it hits the filter. Opening earlier is critical to saving money since we can prevent algae growth while the pump and filter are pumping filtered, chemically treated water through the pool. NOTE: Since the pool will need vacuuming to waste, let your pool fill up over the winter!
Opening early is good also because pools require less chemical maintainance when sunlight is not so intense and the pool is getting less use than in the hotter months of the season. Run the pump less and you’ll use very little electricity.
Your pool should be an attractive, relaxing focal point of your backyard environment, so ENJOY IT!!
We recommend opening by April 15th
SOLID COVERED POOLS
Solid covers don’t allow sunlight to penetrate, so don’t HAVE to be opened so early. We recommend opening soon enough to get all the “bugs” worked out, so there’s no last minute hitches to a special event involving the pool.
“I’M ON A WELL AND HAVE A SOLID COVERED POOL” READ ON: If the water on the cover is clean enough, remove any excess debris(leaves, tree limbs, etc) and allow the water atop the cover to fill your pool. This would need to be done early in the year to prevent algae contamination, but I’ve done this quite effectively when I had a solid cover on my pool.
Once your pool is uncovered and started, bring us a sample of water so we can get your pool water tested and treated properly for the most problem free opening possible.
Spring Tips
Every year the cost of owning a pool goes up. Here are some helpful tips to control your chemical costs based on the BioGuard program you’re using.
Chlorine Free Soft Swim (back to top)
If you like Bacquacil you’ll love Soft Swim
- Use Soft Swim A every 2 weeks – 2oz/5000 gals-to prevent Algae. Soft Swim A also increases Soft Swim B’s effectiveness.
- Keep your Soft Swim B level at 50 or above. Test weekly. Once the higher level of 50 or above is established, your B level will be easier to maintain since B is more effective and efficient at higher levels.
- Keep your Soft Swim C levels above 90. Test weekly. Soft Swim C is your shock and works (as with Soft Swim B) most efficiently at higher levels. Water mold is a huge concern of Biguanide users (Soft Swim, Bacquacil, etc) and maintaining a higher C level helps prevent mold. Water mold actually consumes your Soft Swim C and it tends to begin in areas of poor circulation including light niches, and inside hollow ladder and rail tubing. Clogged filters which result in poor flow also result in water mold, so keep your filters clean with Soft Swim Filter Cleaner. Don’t let pressure build up too high (no more than 6-8 PSI) before backwashing a sand filter. Chemically clean filter sand every 6 weeks with Soft Swim Filter Cleaner to help prevent water mold. Filter sand in Soft Swim pools should be changed every year.
- Soft Swim Stain Inhibitor is very helpful in preventing water mold. Add 1 quart per 10,000 gallons at spring opening and then 1 quart per 20,000 gallons monthly. Even trace amounts of metals present in pool water can “bind up” the Soft Swim C (or another manufactures’ “Biguanide Shucks”) and inhibit the clarifier’s/shock’s ability to work. Soft Swim S binds the metals and is a great layer of protection against water mold (a Biguanide treated pool’s biggest fear). Test C levels weekly.
- Optimizer Plus prevents algae from growing and keeps other products in the water free to fight more important battles. Therefore, Optimizer Plus greatly reduces consumption of Soft Swim A and Soft Swim C. Although adding Optimizer Plus to your pool takes some effort (must be added in doses of 1/3 at a time followed by a pH adjustment each time), once in the pool water it usually only requires small annual additions.
- Skim Mors greatly reduce consumption of Soft Swim B and Soft Swim C by removing body oil and other residual oils from pool water such as those left behind by lotions, sunscreen, etc. Oils left untreated consume Soft Swim C and build up in filter sand (reducing flow) and will contribute to water mold.
Pool Maintenance Programs (back to top)
- Algae Inhibitors: Back Up works to enhance chlorine’s effectiveness and works synergistically with chlorine to prevent algae. Back Up makes pool water “wetter” so it can more easily penetrate areas algae is trying to grow. Weekly additions of 1oz/5000 gallons and halt dosage after heavy rainfall or major water additions. Spring opening dose 1 quart per 25,000 gals.
- Shock: In Season: Smart Shock every week to oxidize organic contaminants and maintain fresh, sparkling water. Smart Shock is great for vinyl lined pools because it’s a mild, chlorine based oxidizer, that only raises the chlorine residual to 4 PPM (in correct dosage). Weekly pool treatment with Smart Shock is the most effective way to keep chlorinated, backyard pools looking, feeling, and smelling great. Smart shock is easier on pool equipment and vinyl liners. And allows quick return to the pool by bathers (swim 30 minutes after treatment). Other shock treatments may cost less upfront however, they’ll cost much more later by leftover residuals of calcium or by harmful effects of continued high chlorine residuals.
- Chlorine Tablets/Sticks create a chlorine residual as they erode and of course chlorine, at levels of 1-3 PPM, kills bacteria in backyard pools. BioGuard Silk Tabs and Silk Sticks leave behind a silky feeling to water over a period of time. Regular users of Silk Tabs and Sticks happily report a “silky”, soft feel in the water. Silk Technology from BioGuard also prevents scale build up in pool equipment and keeps pumps running smoothly and more efficiently. Silk Tablets and Sticks are great for use in chlorinators and skimmers. 1 per 10,000 gallons. Test chlorine levels weekly.
- Smart Sticks have an erosion chemical “built in” and erode only when water is moving over them. Smart Sticks last longer in skimmers than tablets or other sticks and last up to a week. Smart Sticks are designed with convenience in mind and go well in the skimmer with Smart Bags (used to separate sticks and tablets from debris in the skimmer). Because of the erosion control chemical blended into Smart Sticks they do not work well in chlorinators. On the other hand, Smart Sticks are better for pools when pumps are shut off for extended periods (since they do not dissolve like ordinary sticks or tablets).
- Optimizer Plus works well in chlorinated pools to prevent algae growth and can reduce chlorine costs by up to 50% (according to user testimonials). No one wants to be in pool water with high levels of chlorine and Optimizer Plus enables backyard pools to effectively operate at chlorine levels between 1 and 2 PPM (when used in our 3 step program). Again, lower chlorine residuals are better for swimmer comfort, pool equipment, and vinyl liners. 1 Smart Stick per 5000-7000 gals. Test chlorine levels weekly.
- Skim Mors save labor and reduce chlorine consumption by drawing body oils and residual oils out of pool water. Skim Mors use the same technology as cleaning oil spills in waterways to remove oil from pool water. Chlorinated pools will require much less chemical cleaning of filters. In addition, Skim Mors trap pollen and fine dust so they also extend time between filter backwashing and cleaning. This saves water and chemicals so Skim Mor users save money and time!
Salt Sanitized Pool Care (back to top)
Simply put, salt is converted to chlorine and chlorine is the sanitizer.
Mineral Springs from BioGuard is a program that goes far beyond “salt chlorination.” Mineral Springs pool water is soft to the skin and eyes and easy on pool finishes and equipment and therefore offers greater benefits than plain salt treated pools.
Benefits of Mineral Springs Pool Care:
- Run a lower chlorine residual (1-2 PPM).
- Easy. Weekly: test water, 1 bag of Renewal per 20,000 gallons.
- Low cost. Once Mineral Springs is in place, annual operating costs are unbelievably low.
- Reliable. Mineral Springs is great for happy returns after a long vacation. If the pool water was properly treated you won’t return to a problem pool. Algae is not found in properly treated Mineral Springs pools.
The BioGuard Mineral Springs program includes:
- Electronic controller
- Sanitizer Generation Cell
- Beginnings. Add 1 bag of Optimizer Plus enriched Beginnings per 1500 gallons initially to obtain a mineral level at 3200. Beginnings contains salt, algae inhibitor and water softness, stabilizer.
- Add 1 bag of Renewal per 20,000 gallons weekly. Renewal replenishes salt, contains a pH buffer, algae inhibitor, scale inhibitor to protect the electrolytic cell.
BioGuard Mineral Springs works great on all types of pools, residential and commercial.
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