Unchecked, algae growth can turn the swimming pool cloudy or make the pool water green 
 and can result in a foul odour and a bad taste - in a very short time.  Black algae, which is
 even more difficult to control than green or blue-green algae, can also stain the swimming
 pool's walls and floor. 

 It is much easier to PREVENT algae than it is to cure it.  Adequate levels of free chlorine
 will prevent algae from growing out of control.  When algae growth is noticed, it requires
 immediate and harsh treatment. Usually, shock treatment with chlorine (or an algaecide) is
 recommended.  Algae will NOT grow in water that is properly balanced. 

CLOUDY WATER

 Clear, sparkling pool water is a joy to look at. A cloudy swimming pool loses its beauty and
 rapidly becomes uninviting to swimmers.  Cloudy water is the second most common
  complaint among swimming pool owners. 

 Cloudy swimming pool water can result from one of several factors:

• The pH is too high;
• The total alkalinity level is too high;
• The stabiliser level is too high;
• The chlorine level is too low;
• The calcium hardness level is too high;
• The level of total dissolved solids is too high;
• There are high levels of metals (discoloured pool water);
• There is a lot of pool algae growth;
• The filter needs cleaning or servicing;
• There is a large quantity of microscopic particles in the pool water.

 By testing and correcting the above, the cloudy pool water problem should disappear.

BURNING EYES

 If the swimmers complain about burning eyes and nose, or dry, irritated skin, there is most
 certainly a problem with the pool water chemistry. 

 This could be caused by a variety of factors:

• the pH is too high or too low; 
• the total alkalinity level is too low; 
• the calcium hardness level is too high. 

 By testing the swimming pool water and correcting these levels, the problem should
 disappear. 

 Even at the recommended levels, chlorine can cause eye irritations. To enable effective
 sanitation at lower chlorine levels, consider installing a mineral pool sanitiser (e.g. Pool
 Wizard) - or a wide variety of salt-based systems - which requires only about 25% of the
 chlorine normally used. 

CHLORINE SMELL

 Many pool owners complain that the swimming pool water is not really clean, but they can
 smell the chlorine so there must be enough in the water to ensure disinfection. 

 Unfortunately, if you can smell chlorine, the swimming pool hasn't got enough - Strange,
 isn't it?!  What you can smell are chloramines.  These are formed when insufficient levels
  of free available chlorine react with ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds
 (swimmer waste, sweat, urine, etc.), resulting in their only being partially broken down
 (creating halomethanes). 

 To confirm this, measure the free available chlorine and total chlorine. You will be able to
 calculate the unwanted, irritating combined chlorine compounds as follows: 

 Combined chlorine = total chlorine - free chlorine 

 You will probably find that there is little or no free available chlorine and too much
 combined chlorine. A chlorine shock treatment or other pool water sanitiser is necessary
 to complete the disinfection and dissipate the combined chlorine. 

 The combined chlorine in the pool water can also be destroyed with a non-chlorine shock if
 you prefer not to use large quantities of chlorine. 

STAINING

 Stains can, and do reduce the attractiveness of a swimming pool. By regularly testing and
 maintaining the water chemistry of a pool, we can avoid pool problems such as staining.
 The cost of regular pool water maintenance is far lower than the cost of stain removers,
 acid washing or swimming pool resurfacing. 

 Staining of the swimming pool's surfaces does not result in illness, but has a negative
 aesthetic effect on the bathers at the swimming pool. The swimmers have the impression
 that the swimming pool looks dirty and this detracts from the swim. 

 Staining can result from several factors:

• the pH is too low;
• the total alkalinity level is too low;
• the calcium hardness level is too low;
• the level of total dissolved solids is too high;
• there are high levels of metals.

 By testing and correcting the above pool water parameters, the staining should stop.
 Existing stains will, however, still require special treatment and for that we suggest you
 consult a pool professional. 

  ...MORE TO BE ADDED LATER...
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  VISION POOL SERVICE AND PARTS
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