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Section 6.3 Understanding The Chemistry
Below is a table showing the recommended balance levels followed by a more detailed explanation of the
factors affecting water chemistry. Maintaining these levels will prevent corrosion and scaling and will
ensure maximum enjoyment of the pool. You should test your water periodically. If the water
chemistry needs adjustment, your authorized dealer or most pool stores can supply you with the
appropriate chemicals and procedures. We recommend you either take a copy of the Water Balance
Table to the pool store or notify the pool store that you are using a salt chlorine generator.
FACTORS
IDEAL LEVELS
Salt…………………………. 3000 to 4000 ppm
Free Chlorine……………… 1 to 3 ppm
PH………………………….. 7.2 to 7.6
Total Alkalinity…………… 100 to 180 ppm
(Depending on Saturation Index)
Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid).. 40 to 80 ppm
Nitrates……………………. 0 ppm
Phosphates…………………. 0 ppm
Metals……………………….. 0 ppm
Calcium Hardness……..……100-300
(Depending on pool surface manufacturer recommendations)
Saturation Index…………... -0.3 to 0.3 (0 is ideal)
Salt
is the power source of the Natural Chlorine Generator. To ensure maximum benefits with the use
of the system, the ideal salt level is 4000 ppm (parts per million). A low concentration of salt can hinder
the generator’s effectiveness. A concentration of salt above 5500 ppm may cause corrosion damage to
the pool fixtures. See the Adding Salt section for more information.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
are different from the salt level of the pool, although TDS levels rise
by adding salt to pool water. This does not harm the pool water chemistry or clarity, but the pool water
professional that is testing for TDS must be aware that salt has been added for the chlorine generator
system. The pool professional doing the TDS test will get the accurate TDS level by subtracting the
salinity level.
Free Chlorine v. Combined Chlorine:
The unpleasant smells and side effects often associated with
chlorine are actually caused by combined chlorine (i.e. chloramines). Combined chlorine is a chlorine
molecule that attacked a noxious particle in the water but has been unable to destroy that noxious
particle. This chlorine particle remains attached to the noxious particle until one of the two is burned
off; hence the term “combined chlorine” (a.k.a. chloramines). To burn off the noxious particle and free
up the chlorine again, pool owners have had to shock the pool periodically, but with the Natural
Chlorine Generator, the noxious particles are burned off within the generator’s Cell and the combined
chlorine is continuously converted back to free chlorine. The free chlorine level in the pool should be
maintained at 1 to 3 ppm. This level of free chlorine is comfortable to swim in with no unpleasant smells,
and it maintains proper sanitizing power.
