Frequently Asked Questions

If I install a salt system in my pool can I stop using chlorine?

You are still using chlorine. A salt system produces chlorine by passing electricity through your pool water to which salt has been added. This process is known as electrolysis and results in the formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Depending on the manufacturer the salt level in your pool will vary somewhere between 2000 ppm. and 3500 ppm. The ocean has about 20,000 ppm. As a result, you will not need to buy the chlorine sticks or pucks. You may on occasion need to shock or superchlorinate the pool.

If I just add salt to my fast set pool don't I have a pool running on salt?

You have a salty pool with no sanitizer. You must in addition to adding salt install an approved PCPA Salt system. This will create the chlorine necessary to sanitze the water making it safe. For the best sanitizing results a salt system should run 24/7.

I bought a used Above Ground Pool thats only a few years old. I put it together and the liner does not fit. How do I fix this?

The pool liner will dry out very quickly and shrink if its not filled with water. This can happen in as little as a couple of days. It is very important if buying a used pool to take it down and set it up again as quickly as possible. Otherwise you will need to purchase a new replacement  liner. There is no way to repair the old liner. Thanks to design, the KD Dynasty and Fast Set Pools do not have this problem.

How long is the sand in my sand filter good for?

You should replace your sand every 8 to 10 years. Over time the sand grains get round and compacted reducing filtering performance. Your sand filter should also be chemically clean at least once a year to dissolve any oil buildup either at the beginning of the season or before winter shutdown.

Why can I not keep a safe chlorine reading in my pool?

If you shock your pool and still get a low santizer reading then you may have a chlorine demand. You may need to shock the pool several times. A chlorine demand can be caused by contaminants like fertilizer, rain, dust, high TDS, phosphates or low levels of algae. For a start we would do a phosphate test. Levels should be below 200 ppb.

Do I need to have stabilizer in my salt pool?

Yes. A salt pool still requires sodium bicarbonate (alkalinity 125-150ppm), calcium chloride (hardness 175 - 225ppm) and stabilizer (40-60ppm) (cyanuric acid). Ideal pH 7.4 - 7.6. The stabilizer helps reduce chlorine loss from sunlight. The stabilizer also helps protect the liner in a vinyl lined pool from wrinkling and becoming brittle prematurely.

What size salt water system should I purchase?

Each system will produce a certain amount of chlorine per hour. If your system is not producing enough, it may require you to run the pool system longer hours in order to keep up with the chlorine demand of the pool. This can add significantly to the cost of pool operation. If in doubt buy a larger system than you feel you need. Your dealer can help with proper sizing. 

How often do I need to drain my hot tub?

The average is about 12 weeks. Several factors can make it shorter or longer. Bather load (Four people in a hot tub for 1/2 hour is equivelent to 160 people in a swimming pool), showering before getting in the tub, cosmetics or body and suntan oils. Usually we test for TDS ( total dissolved solids). These are all chemicals, body fluids, cosmetics, oils and minerals in the water. When it reaches 1000 ppm we recommend draining. When TDS is this high it interferes with the sanitizers abiltiy to sanitize and the water becomes cloudy. 

What are the right Mineral Levels in a Pool or Spa?

Ideal minerals are:                
                                                    pH 
                                                7.4 - 7.6

                                            Total Alkalinity
                                       Concrete 80 - 125 ppm
                                   Vinyl & Other  125 - 150 ppm

                                          Calcium Hardness
                                        Concrete 200 - 275 ppm
                          Vinyl, painted, fibreglass 175 - 225 ppm 
                                           Acrylic 100 - 200 ppm
                                             

Why is the bottom of my Softub wrinkled?

The Softub has a vinyl liner just like a pool. Low stabilizer and calcium levels are the usual cause. The pH is another factor. Over time the wrinkles will become brittle and crack causing leaks.

Do I need to balance my pool water during the winter?

If your pool is running and not covered then you should test and balance your pool. With the winter rains your pool water can quickly lose its mineral balance from dilution exposing your equipment to corrosion and damage. Generally you should have your pool water tested in December or January unless you have an indoor pool.