This may be caused by any of the following problems:

• Check pool filtration system. Do you have the correct pressure? How often do you run the pool pump (run enough hours in the day based upon pool size).  Make sure there is DE or enough sand in the filter. Be sure the filter is clean. If dirty, use FILTER CLEAN to clean grids or elements. If filter is clean and working properly, run 24 hours a day until water clears up.
• Check the pH of the water. High pH will cause cloudiness and can be corrected by adding pH REDUCER.
• Check the chlorine or bromine level. If too low, boost with HAVILAND DURACHLOR GRANULAR CHLORINE. (4 oz. per 10,000 gallons), or increase the lever on your brominator to a higher number.
• Need to shock.  It is recommended to shock a pool or spa at least once a week.  CLEAR SHOCK is an excellent non-chlorine shock--for chlorine or bromine based pools/hot tubs.

This is the most common form of algae in swimming pools. This algae usually appears in areas of little circulation. Use PREMIUM BLUE to kill the algae.  Make sure your sanitizer and pH levels are in ideal range.

This may be one of the most stubborn algaes to eliminate. It clings to walls and floors and looks like dark spots or mildew. Use PREMIUM BLUE, brush the trouble areas daily to break the protective shell black algae forms over itself.  Also, keep your sanitizer level high-end of ideal.

The best way to stop algae is to prevent it from forming in the first place. By following the CLEAR SYSTEM along with proper filtration, algae will not be a problem. Use ALGAE CLEAR CONTROL PLUS weekly as a preventative.

Clear, colored water (green, red, brown, etc.) may indicate the presence of minerals/metals in the water. To prevent stains and eliminate colored water, use MINERAL CLEAR weekly.

Scale is to the swimming pool like fat is to the heart and veins. Scale can form on the walls, pipes and equipment. Make sure the pH is in the proper range. Scaling can be caused by high pH or by repeated use of calcium-based chlorine. For scale that is present and to prevent build up, use MINERAL CLEAR weekly.

If keeping your pH in the correct range is a problem, check the total alkalinity. Total alkalinity controls pH. Make sure the total alkalinity is between 80-120 ppm.

First, check the stabilizer level. Too little stabilizer will result in more chlorine being used. Add STABILIZER if below 30 ppm. Also check the total vs. free chlorine (total chlorine=free chlorine+combined chlorine). Combined chlorine (or chloramines), is chlorine that is locked up with contaminants and is an ineffective sanitizer. Your goal is to have no combined, only free, chlorine in your pool. To rid your pool of combined chlorine, shock your pool with CLEAR SHOCK. A third cause of high chlorine usage can be pH. Chlorine is most effective when the pH is between 7.2 to 7.6 on your test kit.

This is most likely a sign of combined chlorine (or chloramines) mentioned above. Combined chlorine will irritate the skin and eyes and cause a strong chlorine odor. To free up this chlorine, shock the pool with CLEAR SHOCK. To prevent the build up of combined chlorine, shock your pool every week.  Shock twice weekly when the water temperature is 80° or higher, or if you have a high bather load!

There are two primary reasons for this: 1) Improper pH balance and 2) Chloramines. Improper pH can be corrected by using pH INCREASER OR REDUCER. Chloramines can be removed by shocking the pool with our non-chlorine shock, CLEAR SHOCK. This product allows you to shock your pool and swim 15 minutes later. A chlorine shock is also effective; however, you may have to wait a day or two for the chlorine level to drop before resuming swimming.

A scum line can occur for many reasons such as body oils, lotions, and many other contaminants that enter your pool. Use NATURES CARE SCUM AWAY once every other week.  If left untreated, your filter works harder, gets clogged faster and can shorten a pool vinyl-liner's life.

This problem is usually caused from the use of cheap algaecides. Use ANTI-FOAM and run your filter until the foam is gone.  Foaming can also be caused from detergents from swimsuits.

Corrosion can be the most expensive problem you could encounter. Heater elements, equipment, fittings, pipes and walls can be damaged beyond repair. To avoid this costly problem, make sure your pH is balanced. Low pH means your water is very acidic and therefore corrosive. Test your pH every two days and always after a rain. Rain will usually be "acid rain" thus lowering your pH.

Seasonal Article:

Two Things You Might be Missing!

All the great staff at Locey Swim & Spa enjoy making your pool and spa water happy!

Happy water means balanced water so it’s comfortable for the swimmer, and gentle on your pool/spa surface and plumbing.

Most of us pool and spa owners know how important it is to test the pH, Alkalinity and sanitizer levels several times a week.  Let’s say sanitizer levels, pH and Alkalinity are all in the ideal parameters.

Ideal parameters are:

Chlorine 1-3 ppm

Bromine 2-4 ppm

Baquacil 30-50 ppm

pH 7.2-7.6

Alkalinity 80-120

What’s possibly missing in your routine?  Two things--a mineral/stain preventer and shock!

We wait on a lot of people that say they never add those chemicals to the water.  Here is what you’re missing if you neglect these two key chemicals.

Mineral Clear or Metal Magic are the two main chemicals we carry to combat hard water.  We have very hard water in this surrounding area, and you will see the effects as: discolored water, crusted up plumbing and equipment, rough surfaces, and discolored jets, skimmer faceplates, etc.  For spas, our routine is to add 2 oz. of Mineral Clear upon fresh fill, and just one ounce once a week for maintenance.  For swimming pools, the ounces of Mineral Clear or Metal Magic are adjusted according to pool gallonage (we can help you figure this out if you know the pool size), and added once a week.

The difference between Mineral Clear and Metal Magic is that Metal Magic is stronger--most customers get great results with the Mineral Clear, but we definitely have enough extreme hard water cases where Metal Magic must be used.

Now onto shock.  Shocking a pool or spa is needed to “burn out” the contaminants and organics that are left behind.  Organics consist of bacteria, deodorants, sweat, urine, etc.

Many ask “I keep my sanitizer level ideal at all times, why do I have to shock?”  Here is why.  Your sanitizer (bromine, chlorine, Baquacil, other) is in the water doing its main job--to sanitize the water so it is safe for everyone to get in.  Your sanitizer kills germs and bacteria, but they are still floating in the water.  This is where shocking comes in to burn out those dead germs and bacteria out of the water, completely removing them from our pool or spa.  Shocking breaks down the dead contaminants, removing them from the water so it’s harder for new bacteria to grow.  Your shock adds more “muscle” to the water, pummeling the bacteria out of the water.

Shocking the water has to be done with the appropriate shock for whatever type of sanitizer you use, some examples follow:

• I use Chlorine - you can use Clear Shock (our brand of non-chlorine shock, also known as potassium monopersulfate), or a chlorine based shock.
• I use Bromine - the best shock for you is the Clear Shock (non-chlorine shock)
• I use Baquacil/BaquaSpa - you must use the peroxide-based shock specifically for this sanitizer, you cannot use chlorine to shock your pool!
• I use Nature 2 - use Clear Shock (non-chlorine shock)
• I use Pool Salt - you are considered a chlorine pool, so you can use Clear Shock (non-chlorine shock) or chlorine shock.
• Other - consult the chemical package label or ask the business you purchased it from.

There are many different types/grades of chlorine-based shocks, which I will cover in depth in a future article.

If you have any questions about chemicals, or would like your water tested, stop in to Locey Swim & Spa!

Don’t forget--we have two locations!

Portage Location: 6655 Lovers Ln., Portage, MI 49002

Kalamazoo Location: 6857 W. Main, Ste. #7, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (Across from Menards)

***We are running a contest January through March 2, 2012--vote for which employee at Locey Swim & Spa is the best water tester!  Vote for Julie, Jim, Nicole, Daniel or Dave--email your vote to moc.loopyecol@elocin.

It’s almost time to think spring and clean off your solar cover and dust off your equipment! When coming into Locey Swim & Spa for the first time this season, don’t forget to bring your water sample! Bring it in a clean bottle and give us at least 16 oz. of water. To get you started on the right foot, we will want to test for the following levels:

• Cyanuric Acid (for chlorine-based pools)
• Chlorine/ Bromine level (or whatever Sanitizer you use i.e. Baquacil)
• pH
• Total Alkalinity

For those who don’t normally test pH and Alkalinity, these levels are VERY important to keep in certain parameters. You want your pH between 7.2 -7.6, and total alkalinity between 80-120 on a consistent basis. Keeping these levels in check helps your pool and/or spa equipment running good over the years, and assists your chemicals in working to their maximum effectiveness! Due to the changing environment over the past 15 years, pH and Alkalinity levels are becoming lower, meaning more acidic, and affecting how we take care of our water!

Come on in and visit any of the friendly faces you’re used to seeing and we’ll test your water!

Look forward to seeing you!

Nicole Locey