By Patricia Fitzgerald

In our household we value the experts who keep life running smoothly, including the lawn care business who keeps our grass green and weed-free, the mechanic who keeps our cars running and the financial advisor who keeps our retirement hopes alive. Notably, each of these service providers is very good about explaining what we need to do and why, and what choices are available to us. Thus, over the years, we have gained some knowledge in all of these areas, allowing us to recognize their expertise and feel comfortable handing over responsibility to them.

Even with this knowledge, we do not have the technical aptitude or self-confidence to become independent, let alone have the time to spend doing these chores without the assistance of a professional.

Read the full article: Busting Water Maintenance Myths

By Patricia Fitzgerald

Misinformation about the useful life of reagents is widespread. I’ve lumped several myths together here that can all be cleared up with the simple understanding that reagents are by nature perishable, just like milk, produce or medicines.

This is true whether they are liquids, powders, crystals, tablets or test strips, although shelf life does vary by type. For instance, if kept dry, powders and crystals are very stable; acids are also long lived. Other reagents are more susceptible to degradation, like DPD or silver nitrate (AgNO₃) reagents. (Their opaque bottle is your hint the reagent is very light sensitive.)

Date of manufacture is not the controlling factor when it comes to shelf life—storage conditions are more important. When not in use, reagents do best in a cool, dark place, away from volatile treatment chemicals, especially chlorine and bromine. Inventory should be dated and rotated according to the first in, first out (FIFO) principle.

Ideal storage temperatures are between 2 to 29 C (36 to 85 F). If you must choose between a hot warehouse (or vehicle trunk) and the refrigerator, opt for the latter for longer-term storage.

Read the full article: Busting Water Maintenance Myths

Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) salts in groundwater occur naturally from the breakdown of limestone, sedimentary rock and calcium-bearing minerals. Diagram courtesy Taylor Technologies

By Patricia Fitzgerald

Total hardness consists of both calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) salts; however, only the calcium component is relevant in the LSI water balance calculation for pools/spas.

This calculation considers the interrelationships of four chemical factors—calcium hardness; pH; total alkalinity, as corrected for the contribution of any cyanuric acid stabilizer in use; and, to a much lesser extent, the TDS level; plus one physical factor, water temperature.

Calcium hardness must be actively managed—along with pH and total alkalinity—to keep water in proper chemical balance. The only way to lower calcium hardness is by partially draining the pool/spa and replenishing with water containing lower levels of calcium hardness.

Read the full article: Busting Water Maintenance Myths

It may seem counterintuitive, but a strong chlorine odour is a sign the water is inadequately sanitized. Diagram courtesy Taylor Technologies

By Patricia Fitzgerald

Combined chlorine is the real culprit here. To reduce these chloramines, the water actually needs to have more chlorine added—up to the so-called breakpoint level.

Generally, the formula followed for breakpoint chlorination is to raise the free chlorine level all at once to 10 times the measured combined chlorine level. If breakpoint is not achieved, the problem will become worse. Superchlorinating this way will also oxidize any organic matter, resulting in crystal-clear water. The procedure is best performed in the evening to minimize chlorine destruction by sunlight.

Read the full article: Busting Water Maintenance Myths

By Patricia Fitzgerald

This myth likely started because orthotolidine (OT) solutions have a longer shelf life than liquid N, N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPD) reagents. If the pool/spa is sanitized with bromine, an OT test is fine to use; however, OT is not the best choice if the water is sanitized with any form of chlorine. This is because chlorine users must keep track of how much chemical is in its strongest germ-killing form and how much of it is past its prime.

The most effective form of chlorine is referred to as free chlorine. When free chlorine has done its job eliminating ammonia and nitrogen compounds introduced to the water by bathers, chloramines (combined chlorine) are formed.

Besides being a weaker, slower-acting disinfectant than free chlorine, chloramines give off a strong, unpleasant odour, which can irritate bathers, even at low levels. Together, free chlorine and combined chlorine make up the total chlorine residual.

Read the full article: Busting Water Maintenance Myths