My water conditions aren't right, what chemicals should I use?
Symptoms | Cause | Solution |
---|---|---|
Cloudy Water | Excessive organic contaminants or lack of sanitizer | Shock treat with non-chlorine shock and adjust sanitizer level |
Dissolved chemical solids | Use clarifier to help remove small particles | |
pH balance or total alkalinity is incorrect | Test total alkalinity and pH. Correct with pH increaser or pH decreaser. | |
Calcium too high (hard water) | Use a sequestering agent weekly. Replace some water with softer water. | |
Dirty filter | Clean filter with filter cartridge cleaner. | |
Chalky, white scale deposits |
Mineral deposits in water | Use a sequestering agent. Check water balance and adjust as necessary. |
Clear green water | High iron or copper content | Use a sequestering agent |
Cloudy green water | Low alkalinity level | Use pH increaser |
low sanitizer level | Test sanitizer level, shock with non-chlorine shock |
|
Brown water | High iron or manganese level | Use a sequestering agent |
Chlorine odor | Chloramines (combined chlorine level) is high. | Shock with non-chlorine shock |
Eye/skin irritation | Organic contaminants, chloramines, or pH out of balance | Shock with non-chlorine shock. Test and adjust pH level. |
Foaming | High concentration of chemicals due to evaporation and build-up of body oils, cosmetics and other contaminants | Use foam reducer. Shock treat with non-chlorine shock. Use enzyme reducer weekly as part of regular maintenance |
Pitting of metal fixtures | pH too low | Test and adjust pH and total alkalinity by adding pH up. |
Total alkalinity too low |