This document provides 10 tips for maintaining a healthy and sparkling pool or hot tub. It discusses the importance of properly managing algae, water clarity, water level, use of sunscreens, tool care, water temperature, yard debris, and pool run time. Key points include that algae can grow rapidly and affect water quality, the need to balance filtration and water chemistry to maintain clarity, and maintaining the proper water level for skimmer function. Proper maintenance of tools and removing yard debris are also emphasized.

1. pHin - Pool Care Simplified
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10 Must-Know Secrets of a Healthy
and Sparkling Pool or Hot Tub
Aiding you in the education of pool and hot tub ownership without going crazy or broke!

2. Believe it or not, pools and hot tubs have a lot in common with
kids and fingerprints
Why? Just like children, pools and hot tubs need attention and just like
fingerprints, no two pools or hot tubs are the same.
When it comes to pool and hot tub maintenance, there are many things
that need to be considered. Here is a list of the 10 most commonly
addressed questions:
1. Algae: ​“It’s just small spots on the steps. Not a big deal, right?”
Algae are for the most part plant life and harmless to humans. There are literally thousands of
algae species present on our planet. The few species we detect in pools typically can be left to
colonize without visually detecting any growth until they reach levels of up to 30,000,000
spores per ounce of water!
So a little spot here, a little spot there can represent billions and trillions of these single-celled
creatures basking in your pool. Although for the most part harmless to humans, when they
decompose, the resulting contaminants can be a potential health hazard with the possibility to
allow bacteria and other pathogens to spread, as algae rob the chlorine of its ability to kill
germs, bacteria, and so on.
The simplest way to avoid a reoccurrence is to first destroy the visible algae and then prevent it
from coming back with a constant acceptable level of sanitizer−be it chlorine, bromine or many
other approved sanitizers as well as algaecides on the market today.
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3. 2. Water Clarity: ​Keep your filtration system and water chemistry in
balance
Water clarity begins and is maintained by a combination of properly sized and balanced pool
filtration equipment and consistent proper water chemistry. One cannot easily take the other’s
place. In other words, you cannot run your pump less and expect to make up the difference
with chemistry, or vice versa. They share the work.
Filtration and pump efficiency must provide for the most amount of filtered pool water with the
least of amount of cost or strain on the system per day. As a quick rule of thumb, if the turnover
rate of your filter system is unknown, then operate the pump one hour per day per 10° of water
temperature.
For instance, if the water temperature is 60° F, run the pump six hours per day. If it’s 80° F, run
the pump eight hours per day.
Keep the pool constantly sanitized with an approved pool or hot tub sanitizer as
recommended. Maintain a proper pH level (see section 10 below) and use only professional
products formulated for pools and hot tubs.
Oxidize (a.k.a. shock) the pool just prior to and/or after a large bathing load. A good oxidizer
will assist in the removal of additional organic contaminant buildup. In some cases, such as
heavier than normal debris loads from dust or storms, a good water clarifier can be used to
help filter out the fine particulates that can cause cloudy water conditions.
Using your active main outlet (also known as the “main drain”) as opposed to your surface
skimmer is another way to manage water clarity. Vertical mixture, or flow, is more effective than
horizontal flow. That technique is quite effective in rapidly clearing a pool with a lot of
suspended particulate matter.
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4. 3. Water Level: ​Maintain the sweet spot
The rule of thumb is to maintain the water level of your pool at approximately halfway up the
perimeter tile line. More accurately speaking, halfway up the opening of the surface skimmer
mouth, a.k.a. the opening along the wall.
If it’s a floating type surface skimmer, the “float” is somewhat self-adjusting to varying degrees
of water level. As for negative, or vanishing, edge pool designs, follow the builder’s
recommendations on proper water levels.
The reason for the mid-point of the surface skimmer is so that the device can do just what its
name implies: skim the surface of your pool.
If the surface skimmer does not function properly, floating debris will stay on the surface or sink
to the floor, adding more work and time for cleaning.
When your water level is too low
Too low water level may damage your pool for three reasons:
● Less filtration:​ When the water level drops, air mixes in with the turbulence of the
water sucking through the skimmer. It causes less water flow, hence less filtration. In
fact, air is one of the worst enemies of pool systems.
● Poor system performance:​ Air can also build in the filter tank and potentially cause
the top of the filter tank to blow apart. Air may also cause other pumps and the pool
cleaning system to lose performance or stop working altogether.
● Pool surface deterioration:​ If the pool is utilizing a floating soaker-type chlorine or
bromine dispenser, the dispenser may get stuck on a step or swim-out, and cause
staining or deterioration to the interior surface of your pool.
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5. When your water level is too high
Water levels may increase due to rain, irrigation or sprinkler systems, timing of water supply to
your pool, or the need to reset your automatic water leveler or replace your valve.
At the time of writing this document, the Western United States is experiencing a critical
drought. With water being the most precious resource on Earth, it is important to not waste any.
While we have no control over rainfall, we can control all the other factors contributing to high
water levels.
If you live in an area where rainstorm fills your pool with too much water, don’t worry. It may
cause your surface skimmer to not function properly until the water level drops closer to the
midpoint of the mouth of the skimmer or opening along the wall.
4. Sun Screens and Oils: ​Protect yourself and your pool
Although we’ve come a long way in learning about the sun’s harmful rays, it’s even more
important to protect ourselves, including our eyes, around the pool due to the reflection off the
glistening water surface.
We know now to use a high SPF sunscreen when out in the direct sun and particularly around
your backyard pool. When selecting a sunscreen make sure it’s a water soluble or water-based
formula. This will help prevent any undue strain on the filter system or scum line buildup on the
pool tile surface. High concentrations of lotions and oils can increase the need for additional
doses of shock and a more frequent need to strip down the filter and degrease the internal
elements. Protect yourself while keeping your pool maintenance cost down.
Protecting your eyes from the sun is equally important. Prolonged exposure to the intensity of
the glare from your pool water surface can cause severe damage to your eyes. Sunglasses are
highly recommended whenever you’re lounging around your pool or adding chemicals.
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6. 5. Tool Care: ​Make it a part of your pool care
To extend the life of your pool and hot tub use care tools, such as a leaf rake, brush, test kit,
pole, and so on, store them in a covered, cool and dry place away from sun or rain. Almost all
plastic products last longer if they have only minimal exposure to these elements, especially to
direct sunlight and high temperatures.
Ultra-violet (UV) oxidizes and breaks down the plasticizers, causing the tools to become brittle
and break, tear or disintegrate prematurely.
Your test kit or test strips should be stored in your home or in a place where the temperature
remains approximately 75°F or cooler. The solutions and reagents will remain fresh and
accurate for a season if you follow this suggestion.
6. Water Temperature: ​Decide based on personal preference,
sanitization needs and health conditions
There is no right temperature to maintain in a swimming pool or hot tub. But there are a few
guidelines you can follow.
For a pool, the general acceptable comfort zone is 75°F to 82°F. The actual water temperature
will depend on your personal comfort level but keep in mind that for each 10° rise in water
temperature, you will need to add up to 50% more chlorine to keep up with the demands of
warmer water.
For hot tubs, the acceptable range is 98°F to 104°F. Just like with pools, your personal comfort
level and higher demand for more sanitizer will play a role in setting a desired water
temperature. Health is also a consideration for people with various types of medical conditions.
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7. Women who are pregnant or in their childbearing years, people with other medical conditions,
the elderly and young children should consult with their physician regarding the proper range
of hot tub temperature. In any case, long-term exposure should be avoided. The general rule of
thumb is to keep hot tub time under 30 minutes.
7. Yard Debris in Pool: ​Get it out fast
Yes, keeping your yard clean is just as important as keeping your pool clean. Leaves and
blown debris may seem harmless but as long as they are there, your pool is percolating with all
that organic debris, which breaks down and creates a sort of organic tea over time.
This can cause unnecessary increases in chlorine costs and even algae removal, or severe
staining to the pool surface. The pool cleaner may become taxed, requiring unexpected repairs
to maintain its performance.
Lastly, you put chemicals on plants, lawns, trees and shrubs so they can grow but you don’t
want those in your pool.
8. Pool Run Time: ​Pick a time based on season and pool system
type
This can be a catch 22. You want the filtration to be working when you are using the pool,
especially if your pool is heated by a solar system. However, your energy company wants you
to run your electrical appliances and pool during off-peak hours, usually after 6 p.m. You need
to make a judgment call.
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8. During swim season
If you are using solar energy to reduce the need for natural gas or propane, your solar system
for your pool will only work during peak sunshine. Therefore, even if you just use a solar
blanket, you should run your pump and filter from around 10 am to 4 pm, which is the peak
solar activity for most areas.
If you are a conventional pool user, help avoid the stress on your community by operating your
pump during off-peak times, after 5 pm to 1 am.
During off season
If your pool is not completely winterized, i.e. it’s still in operation but not in use, you should
consider running the conventional pump during the coldest portion of the day. For example,
set the control to run your pump from midnight to 5 am. Doing so will provide some additional
freeze protection in vulnerable areas of the country if you have a newer variable speed pump
or a control system.
9. Solar Blankets and Covers: ​Get the most out of them
If you use a floating solar cover to help heat the pool during the swim season, here is some
information that may help prolong the life of the cover.
The cover is designed for two primary purposes:
● Free heat:​ Generates passive solar heat from the air through the cover and into the
pool water, enabling you to save energy by not having to rely on fossil fuel heating.
● Protection against evaporation: ​Eliminates evaporation, which conserves water and
saves on chemical usage.
When you remove the cover from the pool, stow it away from direct sun and extreme heat as
the cover does not have the intelligence to stop functioning. If it becomes very warm or
exposed to direct intense sunlight, the cover will keep on generating heat, and either a
meltdown or UV degradation will occur, resulting in a significantly shorter lifespan.
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9. Alternatively, you may choose a solar blanket reel system​,​ which greatly eases the cover
removal process and becomes a perfect storage device. You can conveniently transport it out
of the direct sunlight or invest in a solar cover tarp to cover the cover and prevent UV
breakdown.
Note, however, that using a solar blanket as a maintenance cover during the cold seasons will
decrease the lifecycle of the cover. These blankets are best suited in the sunbelt areas
between March and October, and in other areas once spring has sprung and prior to fall
weather conditions.
10. Acceptable Water Chemistry Levels: ​Know your numbers
Where should my chemical values be? In this section, we will focus only on the mainstream
factors involved in proper pool and hot tub water balance:
Chemical Value
Sanitizer (chlorine) 0.5 – 5.0 ppm (1)
ORP (oxidation reduction potential) 650 – 750 mc
pH (2) 7.2 – 7.8
Total alkalinity (3) 80 – 150 ppm
Cyanuric acid (conditioner) 30 – 70 ppm
Phosphate (4) Under 200 ppb (parts per billion)
Iron or copper Under 0.2 ppm (5)
(1) Lower value assumes a mineral purifier, ozone generation or UV sterilization is incorporated
into the day-to-day sanitizing levels
(2) pH is the measurement of acidity or base in pool water
(3) Total alkalinity means buffering compounds to help keep the pH stable
(4) Phosphate is a food source for algae spores
(5) At higher levels, pool surface staining can occur and exceedingly high levels are toxic to
humans
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10. Pool and spa maintenance is an ongoing process, requiring constant routine attention.
Water analysis, equipment care and maintenance, and physical debris removal are all integral
components to achieving a happy, healthy vacation spot in your own backyard without going
crazy or broke!
So remember:
1 - Have a healthy respect for Algae and keep it in check!
2 - Water clarity for that perfectly balanced pool.
3 - Find that sweet spot with water level.
4 - Use the right sunscreens and oils for you and your pool.
5 - Tool care is pool care!
6 - Get the toe dip right!
7 - Keep the leaves and other yard debris out.
8 - Optimize your pump usage.
9 - Keep that heat in naturally.
10 - Know your chemicals.
About​ ​pHin
pHin is reinventing the pool industry with smart technology designed to help people have more
time to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle.
Learn more at ​http://www.phin.co/​, ​@getPhin​ on ​Facebook​ and ​Google+​.
Copyright ConnectedYard Inc 2015
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