MAINTAINING YOUR ENDLESS POOL

Click here to see the AQUASOL WATER QUALITY SYSTEM

MAINTAINING ACCEPTABLE QUALITY WATER

IN YOUR ENDLESS POOL

Points to consider about your new Endless Pool:

When you turn the current off or on in the pool be sure the current speed is turned to low (counter-clockwise) before pushing the on-off button. Turning the current on with the speed set to high may cause the propeller blades to break!

The water level in the pool should not get too low. Keep the level about ½" below the top of the propulsion housing at the front of the pool. If it gets too low the skimmer will start taking in air and that creates noise, poor filtration, and in some cases an air-bound pump which is really bad. If the water is allowed to get too high in the pool the relief valve in the top of the skimmer will start to leak water and it will drip to the floor.

The water in a pool MUST be kept in good swimming condition. Chemically it MUST test safe for bathing. Endless Pools supplies a test kit that allows you to make sure the water in your pool is of good quality. The following information will allow you determine what the water quality is and what to do to keep it where it should be. The test kit has a plastic comparator and chemicals with various colored tops. These are used to test the chemical quality of the pool water. Look closely at the comparator. There is a large test tube on one side. There is a small tube on the other side. The large tube has a 25 ml mark in the middle of the side of it. The small tube has a 9mm mark on the top side. Those are the only levels we will be dealing with. Between the test tubes there are colors that are used to make sure your pool water is chemically satisfactory.

1. You must make sure the water is sanitary. Germs introduced by swimmers must not be allowed to survive in a pool. Organic matter introduced by swimmers must be decomposed and eliminated. Algae should not be allowed to thrive. Killing evil agents is a key to good water for swimming. Every pool requires a sanitizing agent. Whether it is chlorine, bromine, Bacquacil, ozone, Clorox, etc., the introduction of a killing agent and maintaining its level is extremely important for the water to look clear and clean.

The test kit has 3 yellow-topped tubes. You will use only the first 2, R-0001 and R-0002, to make sure the chlorine or bromine is at the level that is proper. Rinse the small tube with the pool water. Now fill the small tube to the 9mm mark. Add 5 drops of the R-0001. (Officially, droppers are designed to yield the proper size drop when the dropper is held directly upside down - not sideways.) Add 5 drops of the R-0002. Mix the tube's contents and look at the color that is produced. If it matches the middle pink on the comparator scale your water has the proper level of sanitizing agent. If the color is low, or there is no color, you must immediately add sanitizing agent. If you do not do it the water may become white and is not sanitary. If the color is too pink you must cut back on the amount of sanitizing agent you add to your pool.

2. The pool water should not be too acid or base. If the water becomes too acid the metal in the pool (the "stainless" steel benches) may start to rust. The copper heater coil in the pool heater will disintegrate. If the water gets too basic the water may become unsanitary because the chlorine or bromine may not be affective. No matter what, it is important to keep the water satisfactory for swimming and good for your pool and skin!

To make sure the pH (acid/base) is proper you need to put the pool water about ½ of the way up the small comparator tube. Add 1 or 2 drops of the red R-0004. Mix and observe the color. Yellow is very bad. The water is too acid. Red indicates the pH is too high. Orange is ideal. If you have a yellow color because the pH is too low, add 1 cup of the pH Rise supplied by Endless Pools. If the color is red add ½ cup of the pH Down. Add the chemicals at the front of the pool with the current running. Slowly pour either into the current, rinse the cup into the current, and let the current run for a minute or 2. Retest the pH to see if you have made the result orange. If not, add more of the corrective chemical.

3. Alkalinity is a pool water factor that some people treat as not being important. That is crap! Alkalinity keeps the pool water at a consistent pH. Without the proper amount (about 120 ppm) the pH may go crazy from one swim to the next! Alkalinity is increased by adding common and ordinary baking soda to the pool water. Baking soda is known to the chemistry guys as Sodium Bicarbonate. The container supplied by Endless Pools may be called "Alkalinity Rise" or "Alkalinity Increaser". The chemical formula is NaHCO3. The Na is sodium, the H is hydrogen (or "bi" in the chemical world). And the CO3 is carbonate. You need baking soda in your pool! You are wasting a heap of money if you buy the product from a pool store. Get it in quantity when yours runs low at a Sam's, BJ's, or Costco outlet.

Fill the large comparator to the 25 ml. mark. Using the green-topped test chemicals, add 2 drops of R-0007, 5 drops of R-0008 and then mix the test tube contents. Now we are going to titrate. That means we are going to add another chemical drop-by-drop, and counting each drop, until a color change becomes permanent. You will notice the color of the solution in the comparator is green. We are going to titrate until it turns (and stays) red after mixing. Add a drop of R-0009. Mix and look at the color. No change? Add another drop. Do that until the color becomes red. Twelve drops is what you want. If it takes less, than you need to add baking soda (alkalinity). Each drop equals 10 ppm. You need 120 ppm. As an example, if it took 6 drops to change the water from green to red you would have 60 ppm of alkalinity in your pool. You need no less than 120 so add 1 cup of baking soda (Alkalinity Increaser) to the water in the current. Test again after the current has run for a minute or 2 and see what you have achieved.

The fourth (and last) chemical needed in indoor pool water is the calcium level. Simply, this is a measure of the water's hardness. Hard water is good for pools (and is good for you to drink, unlike soften water which replaces the healthy calcium and magnesium with sodium chloride). Your pool should have at least 180 ppm hardness.

Fill the large comparator to the 25 ml. mark. Using the blue-topped test chemicals, add 20 drops of R-0010, 5 drops of R-0011 and then mix the test tube contents. Now we are going to titrate. That means we are going to add another chemical drop-by-drop, and counting each drop, until a color change becomes permanent. You will notice the color of the solution in the comparator is red. (If it is blue at this point you are testing softened water that has no calcium. Skip the titration process.) We are going to titrate until it turns (and stays) blue after mixing. Add a drop of R-0012. Mix and look at the color. No change? Add another drop. Do that until the color becomes blue. Eighteen drops is what you want. If it takes less, than you need to add Calcium Increaser. Each drop equals 10 ppm. You need at least 180 ppm. As an example, if it took 12 drops to change the water from red to blue you would have 120 ppm of hardness in your pool. You need no less than 180 so add 1 cup of calcium carbonate (Calcium Increaser) to the water in the current. Test again and see what you have achieved.

The pH and bromine or chlorine should be tested frequently, possibly every day in the beginning of your pool start-up. You will be able to adjust the testing frequency after a few weeks and you come to know how your pool water behaves. The alkalinity should be tested weekly after you have achieved the desired level. The calcium changes very little over time but should be tested on a monthly basis.

The water quality system consists of several components that might vary slightly from one pool installation to another, but the differences do not change the required outcome. The water comes from the front of the pool via 1½" white PVC pipe and enters the front of the pump. It will have passed through the skimmer basket which will collect floating objects in the pool. A few particles will get through the skimmer basket and may get caught in the basket at the front of the pool pump. (Check both baskets periodically to clean them.)

The water is forced from the top of the pump to the bottom back of the filter cartridge. Inside the cartridge the water is forced to pass through the filter. This is a cleanable and replaceable item that captures very small particles and removes them from the water. It will get dirty as time passes. How much dirt it removes from the pool water depends on many factors: Indoor pools stay cleaner. Pools in dusty conditions collect dirt more often. People using the pool with dirty feet, bodies, kids, etc. will have to clean the filter more frequently.

Cleaning the filter:

1. You should know what the pressure gauge reads when a new filter is put in the cartridge. It is usually about 10 psi. That is read on the gauge on the top of the filter cartridge. Either make note of that pressure, or on the newer pools there is a dial on the pressure gauge with 2 arrows. The lower of the 2 arrows should be placed on the pressure indicated when a new filter is inserted in the cartridge. When the pressure rises to 10 psi above the starting pressure, and this may take 6 months or more with indoor pools, it is time to clean the filter.

2. The filter must be removed from the filter cartridge. This requires some tugging. It also requires that the water is lowered in the filter cartridge so that when the lid is removed water does not spill all over the place.

3. There should be a valve between the skimmer and the pump. Close it. There should be a valve between the heater and the pipe returning to the pool. Close it. The pool should now be isolated from the water quality components.

4. There is a brown plastic water valve in the pipe from the filter that goes to the heater. When that faucet is opened (hold a container under it to catch water) there should be very little water flow. That proves the pool is isolated.

5. With a hose or container held under the opened faucet that will prevent 1 gallon of water from going on the floor, open the air entry valve on the top of the filter cartridge. It is to the right of the gauge. It opens by twisting it counter-clockwise ¼ of a turn. Air will now enter the top of the filter cartridge and water will freely flow out the faucet. After about a gallon is removed, the filter cartridge top is ready to be removed.

6. About 1/3 of the way down from the top of the filter cartridge is a brown ring. The ring has 4 protrusions sticking out 90 degrees from each other. Two of the 4 are larger than the other 2. The larger ones have a lever on the underside that should be pressed upward. When both are up twist the ring counter-clockwise and it will loosen. After ¼ of a turn the ring can be lifted off the top of the filter cartridge. (The lid of the filter will not have moved.)

7. Now grab the handles of the filter cartridge lid and forcefully pull the lid upward. It will release from the top of the cartridge exposing the filter and remaining water.

8. The filter is pushed down over a black plastic filter holder. The filter holder has a round top and a bottom that covers the entire bottom of the filter. If you want to remove the filter from the black holder push down on the round black top while holding the filter.

9. The filter should be cleaned with a garden hose with a jet nozzle. Start at a known point. Aim the hose at the top of the filter. Move the hose back and forth about 3" and then down to the bottom of the filter. Rotate the filter and continue to clean from top to bottom until you have returned to the starting point.

10. Look at the filter. It has the word, "BOTTOM" on the side that goes down on to the black holder. It should be firmly seated.

11. The filter and holder should now be put back into the filter cartridge. Put it down into the middle of the cartridge. Rotate it slightly from left to right and it will drop into place. Put the top to the filter cartridge on. Press it down and then put the brown ring on. It should rotate about ¼ of a turn clockwise before it clicks into the locked position. Make sure you hear that click!

12. Close the air entry valve on the top of the filter cartridge by rotating it clockwise and push down.

13. Open the 2 valves previously closed that come from and go back to the pool.

14. Turn on the water quality pump and check the pressure on the top of the filter cartridge. It should have dropped from the maximum pressure that caused you to clean the filter. It will not go back to the new filter pressure because there will be some "permanent" clogging of the filter.

15. After cleaning the filter many times it may become stained. It may not be able to get the pressure back more than 3 or 4 psi from the pressure you used to clean the filter. In either case it is time to install a new filter and discard the old one.

Vacuuming the Pool:

Your Endless Pool came with a vacuum system. It consists of a vacuum hose, a vacuum head, and a handle that extends from short to long. The water quality system is used to vacuum. The vacuum head is passed over the benches and then the pool bottom in order to pick up particles that have been introduced into the pool such as sand, insects, and lint. How often you need to vacuum will depend on how often debris is noticed on the bottom, as well as the owner's tolerance. Outdoor pools will need to be vacuumed more frequently.

Pull the skimmer door open and take the skimmer basket out. Put the basket back in the skimmer opening sideways so the door is forced to remain in the opened position. Turn the water quality pump on.

Attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum head. Attached the vacuum handle to the vacuum head so that the 2 plastic buttons to snap in place in order to hold the 2 together. Put the vacuum head in the water and extend the handle to full length by turning the plastic piece in the middle that allows extension. Then turn the piece the other way to lock the extension in place.

It is important to get all the air out of the vacuum hose before attaching it to the water quality system. Put the free end of the vacuum hose into the stream of water that is entering the pool at the front on the left side of the propulsion housing. The water coming into the pool will be shot into the vacuum hose. The air will be forced out through the vacuum head as will be noticed by the bubbles coming from it at the bottom of the pool. Take the hose from the water stream, keep it under water, and more it over to the skimmer. Hold the skimmer door open and take the skimmer basket out which was holding the door open. Move the vacuum hose end, keeping it under water, into the bottom of the skimmer and into the hole at the bottom. The water will now move from the vacuum head into the skimmer pipe and the pool may now be cleaned.

With the vacuum handle move the vacuum head over the bench surfaces and the pool bottom. As the head is moved particles will be picked up from the bottom of the pooll and will get caught in the filter. The pool will look clean when you have finished!

After cleaning the pool it is time to remove the hose and vacuum head. Hold the skimmer door open and reach into the skimmer. Pull the vacuum hose from the hole in the bottom of the skimmer. Put the skimmer basket back into the skimmer and release the door. Roll the hose up and hold it over the pool. Remove it from the vacuum head. Shake the water from the hose over the pool water. Put all away for the next vacuum episode.

More Things to Do On an Advanced Level:

DAILY:

· Check the chlorine or bromine level to be sure it is between 0.5 and 1.0 ppm. Use the Taylor test kit and match the color. If the chlorine or bromine level becomes too low, critters and algae will grow, and the water may suddenly get cloudy (white). The level of chlorine is also dependent on the use of the silver/copper ion system. Do not use silver/copper ion system with bromine!

Free Chlorine/Combined Chlorine

The difference between Free Chlorine and Combined Chlorine is without a doubt the most misunderstood facet of pool water maintenance within the industry. Whenever chlorine is added to the water, what is being added is Free Chlorine. Free Chlorine mixes in with the pool water and seeks out substances that are detrimental to the water quality of the pool (algae, oils, sweat, etc.). Once Free Chlorine encounters many of these materials, it binds itself with the material and changes to what is called Combined Chlorine (AKA chloramines). Combined Chlorine then is removed from the water when the pool is shocked. The difference between these two chlorine forms is monumental. Simply put, Free Chlorine is "the good chlorine;" Combined Chlorine is "Bad Chlorine." It is important to remember that Free Chlorine, in the .5 to 1.5 ppm concentration, does not cause the pool water to emanate a bleach odor. Nor does this concentration of Free Chlorine cause the pool water to sting the swimmer's eyes. Combined Chlorine, however, does both smell strongly of bleach, and sting the eyes. Due to these effects, if you have a client with an Endless Pool that smells strongly of bleach, and is stinging their eyes, the solution may be to add a chlorine shock to the water. Testing the Free chlorine level prior to shock is still advised.

Stabilized Chlorine/Unstabilized Chlorine/Bromine (See information below about all the sanitizers)

Chlorine dissipates very quickly when exposed to sunlight. For this reason, pools that are installed outdoors should be chlorinated with what is known as "Stabilized Chlorine." Stabilized Chlorine has an additive, cyanuric acid, which is bonded to the chlorine. The cyanuric acid serves as sunglasses for the chlorine, protecting the chlorine from breaking down due to exposure to ultraviolet rays. In an indoor pool, stabilized chlorine should not be used. Cyanuric acid stays in the water after the chlorine has been used up, and is only removed by changing the water. High concentrations of cyanuric acid within pool water can cause several problems, the most noticeable being an orange grunge that is often mistaken for algae. A good rule of thumb is that Stabilized Chlorine is for outdoor pools, and Unstabilized Chlorine is for indoor pools. Exceptions to this rule would be sunroom installations or other indoor situations where sunlight will be shining directly on to the pool while it is uncovered. Note: Bleach is an Unstabilized Chlorine. Bleach may not be dramatically affected if used outdoors, but we would advise that Stabilized Chlorine be used if a client cannot keep a Free Chlorine residual in an outdoor pool using bleach.

Check the pH of the water. The test kit has phenol red (R-001, red cap) to do this. Fill the smaller test tube with pool water and put in a drop or two of R-001 and mix. The phenol red should turn orange when it is added to a sample of the pool water. If it turns yellow the water is too acid and it will corrode parts of the pool plumbing, even the stainless steel benches and propulsion housing! If it turns red or pink the water is too alkaline the chlorine or bromine will not kill bacteria as effectively, and you will notice a disinfectant smell in the pool area. Note: If the color changes rapidly from any of the the colors above to a purple it means you have too much bromine in the pool!

Check the temperature of the water to be sure the heater is doing the proper job.

WEEKLY:

· Check the water level in the pool to maintain it ½" below the top of the propulsion assembly. If you allow the level of the water to get too low air will start to enter the skimmer and get into the pump filter pot and the filter. That will cause the efficiency of both to decrease. Even worse, if the pump is above the level of the pool water it may loose its prime. That could lead to a complete stoppage of water flow, loss of heating the pool water, decreased disinfection, and pump burn-out.

· Check the filter basket in the skimmer and remove any debris that has accumulated. This is mainly for outdoor pools. Indoor pools may go for weeks without having a significant accumulation of debree in the skimmer filter basket.

MONTHLY:

· Vacuum the pool. For outdoor pools this may have to be done more frequently, even daily.

· Check the filtration pressure. When it reads 5 psi higher than the initial reading it is time to clean the filter.

· Do a leak check.

. If you are using bromine as a disinfectant: Add approximately 25 1" tablets to the brominator.

. Check the Total Alkalinity. Raise Total Alkalinity by adding Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Lower Total Alkalinity by adding either Muriatic Acid or Sodium Bisulfate. Included with your pool kit are containers of Sodium Bicarbonate (Alkalinity Plus) and Sodium Bisulfate (pH Lower). More is available at any pool store. Follow directions on the containers keeping in mind that an Endless Pool contains 2,500 gallons (over 3,000 gallons or more with deeper section) of water. Always add chemicals to the pool with the swim current running to ensure even distribution. Add less than you think necessary. Wait a few hours and test again. Write down how much you added, and the results of the chemical addition.

6 MONTHS:

. Change the silver/copper chemical cartridges in the filter. If you have elected to use bromine the cartridges have been eliminated from the system.

YEARLY:

· Remove front grill in the pool propulsion unit and clean it.

· Remove bottom grill in propulsion unit and clean it.

. Clean the filter pots in the filter pump (and jet pump, if you have one). This should be done more frequently if the pool is outdoors.

· Check all screws for tightness.

· Check hydraulic oil for color. Wipe some from the crankcase opening. Check the color against the following chart. If it is not yellow but is brown the fluid must be changed.

AQUASOL WATER QUALITY SYSTEM

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The Controller

The Sensors

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The following 3 documents are from the Endless Pools Factory Trained Installers Department 11/28/05:

The following is reprinted from the Endless Pool Tech Bulletin #26: (If you are using Bromine as a disinfectant slight changes would be made to the following according to the above information.)

The test kit provided by Endless Pools tests for Chlorine, Bromine, Total Alkalinity, pH, and Calcium Hardness. Test for all and write down your results along with the time and date on the log sheet provided. We have found that it is very helpful to write down your test results, observations, and actions taken in a systematic way to identify problems. Also, check and record the filter pressure after bleeding off air (see filter instructions).

Assuming now a familiarity with basic Water Chemistry terms we recommend doing the following in the order listed:

1) Balance Total Alkalinity. We recommend a Total Alkalinity of 100 parts per million ("ppm"). Raise Total Alkalinity by adding Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Lower Total Alkalinity by adding either Muriatic Acid or Sodium Bisulfate. Included with your pool kit are containers of Sodium Bicarbonate (Alkalinity Plus) and Sodium Bisulfate (pH Lower). More is available at any pool store. Follow directions on the containers keeping in mind that an Endless Pool contains 2,500 gallons (over 3,000 gallons with deep section) of water. Always add chemicals to the pool with the swim current running to ensure even distribution. Add less than you think necessary. Wait a few hours and test again. Write down how many level tablespoons you added, and the results of the following tests using the test log provided.

2) Balance Calcium Hardness. We recommend a Calcium Hardness of 180 ppm. Raise Calcium Hardness by adding Calcium Chloride. A container of Calcium Chloride was provided with your pool. As with all chemicals add less than you think necessary, wait a few hours and test again. Write down how many level tablespoons you added and the results of the following tests using the test log provided.

3) Balance pH. The Phenol Red should show an orange color. We recommend a pH level of 7.5. Raise pH with Sodium Carbonate (pH Up) and lower pH with Sodium Bisulfate (pH Down). Note that you lower pH with the same chemicals used to lower Total Alkalinity. This is important and often confusing. Always adjust Total Alkalinity first before considering pH. If you are having trouble balancing your pH after correcting your Total Alkalinity, please consult a pool service professional or call our Customer Service Department.

4) In the beginning, 'Shock' the pool by adding 2 cups of regular unscented Clorox bleach with the pool swim current running. Clorox bleach is a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite (5%) and is the most effective and most economical way to oxidize your pool. We recommend maintaining 0.5 to 1.0 ppm Free Chlorine in your pool at all times. If the liner is slippery, brush the liner with the vinyl liner pool brush provided first before shocking the pool. A slippery liner is an indication of algae growth and means that some additional chlorine above your normal dosage is required.

5) After 24 hours of the first operation of the filter following the addition of Clorox, bleed off air at the filter and note the pressure on test log sheet. If the pool has been contaminated with construction debris during installation, you may wish after 24 hours to exchange or clean the cartridge filter. Review pump and filter literature before doing this. Typically the cartridge should be removed and cleaned when the filter pressure rises 5 psi above starting pressure. In indoor installations and with light to moderate use, this may be only once every month. The filter pressure should be checked weekly or monthly in indoor installations. After repeated cleaning the initial starting pressure will get greater and greater. When the starting pressure after cleaning continues to be at 8-10 psi higher than when the filter was new, replace the filter.

6) Water Chemistry monitoring and adjustment can now be done every few days with an emphasis on chlorine and pH. It is critical for the long life of your equipment that these stay within range Although as important, Total Alkalinity will fluctuate less frequently and needs to be checked approximately every two weeks. Calcium hardness will change slowly over time and need only be checked every month or two.

Please be sure to read the Nature2 literature regarding the necessity of chlorine and oxidation in your water, Your copper/silver purification system will disinfect the water but it will not "burn out" small particles which can both cling to the liner causing slippriness or make the water cloudy. We recommend getting into a routine that involves adding a measured amount of Clorox bleach either every time you swim as you leave the water, or at the very least every 3 days. This measured amount depends on pool use. One person swimming every day for 30 minutes might add 1/2 cup after each swim. This small amount will not be noticeable and will maintain the required 0.5 to 1.0 ppm chlorine residual. Heavier use and use by children generally requires more chlorine. Adding 1 cup of Clorox bleach to a standard Endless Pool raises the chlorine level by 1.0 ppm. Test your water for chlorine periodically to insure that you are maintaining a 0.5 to 1.0 ppm residual. Cloudy water or slippriness should be immediately acted upon by adding 2 cups of Clorox bleach. The 2.0 ppm chlorine level that will be attained as a result will subside in a day.

Heater: It is very important that you read the heater literature before operating the heater. Please refer to either Tech Bulletin 12 for the gas heater or Tech Bulletin 19 for the electric heater. During the initial 24-hour start-up period, you may turn on your heater to bring the pool water up to temperature. A common problem with the electric heater is the adjustment of the pressure switch. The pressure switch arrives preset by the manufacturer; you must verify that this setting is correct and have an electrician adjust it if necessary. The pressure switch is part of the safety circuit on the heater. When the pump turns on, the pressure switch senses water pressure, allowing the heater to turn off! When the pump turns off, the water pressure drops, triggering the pressure switch to turn off the heater. You must verify that the heater turns off when the pump turns off! If the light on the heater does not turn off when the pump does, the pressure switch is being activated by static water pressure and needs adjustment. Again, please consult the enclosed heater literature for instructions on making this important adjustment.

Floating Thermal Cover: Endless Pools, Inc. provides a lightweight cover for the Endless Pool. This cover floats on the water surface, insulating the pool while preventing evaporation. Consistent use of this cover will keep the water cleaner, save energy, and keep the room dry. The cover should be completely removed from the water before the machine is used.

Customized Speed Settings: The Endless Pool is now ready for use. The air button turns the machine on and off, and the valve sets the current, clockwise faster, counter-clockwise slower. The Endless Pool is capable of producing extremely strong currents that most swimmers will not need.

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