Troubleshooting: Chemicals and Water Testing

Symptom	Reason	Cure
Cannot maintain chlorine levels	Unsatisfied chlorine demand in the water at start up, after holidays or due to excess contamination or neglect	Shock dose pool with BioGuard® Bio Shock and re-test after 24 hours. If chlorine level still low repeat shock treatment
Too much chlorine	Too much chlorine was added to pool	This is only a real problem if the chlorine is over 10mg/l (ppm). The chlorine level will naturally dissipate in time or can be reduced by using a chlorine reducer e.g. BioGuard® Chem-Out
pH hard to control	pH levels can be difficult to control if the total alkalinity is incorrect	Seek advice on the products and method to correct total alkalinity level from Barton Lake
Green water	Usually caused by an infestation of algae	Shock dose pool with BioGuard® Bio Shock and add BioGuard® Erase
Cloudy water	Usually occurs after poor chemical control or inadequate filtration	Clean filter, check and if necessary adjust chemical levels (chlorine & pH). If problem persists use BioGuard® Polysheen Blue to assist filter in removing small particles
Scale formation	This can happen in hard water areas due to the high level of calcium and magnesium salts precipitating out of the water supply	Ensure the correct pH level is being maintained and use BioGuard® Stain & Scale Inhibitor to prevent calcium build up
No colour change on Test Strip pads after being dipped into pool water	If chlorine level is over 15mg/l (ppm) the colour on the pads can be ‘bleached’ out	Check expiry date on Test Strips. Alternatively, wait for chlorine level to drop and re-test

Remember to bring a sample in and we’ll help you achieve the perfect water balance.