PristineBlueTips

How do I balance my water?
Proper water balance is probably the most essential element to the enjoyment and ease of maintenance of a pool or spa. Some of the problems which occur due to unbalanced water are skin and eye irritation, ineffective algae and bacteria control, cloudy water, and corrosion or scaling of equipment. Since water balance is affected by such things as rain, dirt, leaves and bather load, testing the water frequently is vital.
Most published water parameters were calclulated to complement chlorine but are not the ideal parameters for the PristineBlue Water Treatment System. The following parameters will maximize the effectiveness of the PristineBlue system and also make water conditions more user friendly, easier on equipment, and provide a difficult environment for algae growth:

Total Alkalinity = 30 to90 ppm
pH = 7.2 to 7.6
Calcium Hardness = less than 300 ppm
CAUTION: Increasing total alkalinity or adding calcium to a pool or spa already on the PristineBlue Water Treatment System may tie up the biological effectiveness of PristineBlue and cause green or cloudy water.
The chemicals used to balance water are sold under many different brand names such as "Alkalinity Plus" and "pH Down". Ask your retailer to help you select the correct water balance chemicals for your pool or spa. If Calcium Hardness is over 300 ppm, use 1 ounce of PristineCheck per 1,000 gallons of water during routine two-week maintenance or dilute pool/spa water with water low in calcium.
How do I calculate the volume of water in my pool?
For square or rectangular pools, multiply the length in feet by the width in feet by the average depth in feet by 7.5 to find the number of gallons of water in your pool.
For round pools, multiply the diameter of the pool in feet by itself, then multiply by the average depth in feet. Multiply that result by 5.9.
For oval pools, multiply the width of the pool in feet at the widest point by the length of the pool in feet at the longest point, then multiply by the average depth in feet. Multiply that result by 5.9.
What causes "swimmer's hair?"
Swimmer's hair can be the result of such factors as acidic water (low pH), iron or manganese in the water, and electrolysis from water moving through recirculation pipes at excessive velocities. It is seldom caused by the water treatment chemicals in a properly maintained pool.
It is always a good idea to wet hair with tap water before entering any pool or spa to minimize the absorption of chemicals by your hair. It is also important to rinse hair after swimming. Health and beauty experts recommend using a leave-in conditioner on chemically treated hair before entering a pool or spa.
The best preventative for swimmer's hair is keeping the pH in the 7.2 - 7.6 range, avoiding over-treatment with PristineBlue and using PristineClean on a regular basis. Refer to the Pool & Spa Care Guide for complete instructions.
There are commercial products available should hair discoloration occur. Below is a list of some of these produts. Discoloration can also be removed by washing the hair in a mild vinegar solution followed with a mild baking soda solution to neutralize the vinegar, or rinse hair with warm water containing dissolved aspirin.
Alared (manufactured by Redken)
Baby shampoo
Shampoo containing chelating agent EDTA (ethylenediamene tetracetic acid)
Is PristineBlue compatible with other products?
One advantage of the PristineBlue Water Treatment System is its compatibility with a variety of surfaces, filters and chemicals. It is important to realize, however, that like all chemicals, PristineBlue may react with certain products and create problems in your pool and spa. Below is an outline of the products which may be used with PristineBlue and those to avoid.
OK - Acids, pH down products, alkalinity down products, filter aids.
NOT OK - Metal out products, stain and scale products, algicides, alkalinity up products, calcium and flocculates. Use of these products are not needed and may cause PristineBlue to be ineffective in controlling algae and bacteria.
OK - Chlorine and bromine. Unlike most other alternative products, a significant advantage of the PristineBlue system is its compatibility with primary disinfectants such as chlorine; in fact, the combined use of these technologies actually complement each other. PristineBlue will provide all the protection normally expected from a bacteria suppressant. When swimmer or user load is particularly heavy, or when there are unusual risks of contamination, PristineBlue may be used in combination with at least a 0.3 ppm chlorine residual to ensure immediate neutralization of bacteria. To achieve this increased level of protection in a PristineBlue pool or spa, we recommend simply placing a chlorine tablet or stick in the floater, feeder or skimmer and running the filter continuously during this exceptional use period. After conditions return to normal and you no longer need the type of protection in a residential pool or spa that only the most harsh chemicals (such as chlorine) can provide, you may discontinue its use and return again to the satisfaction of chlorine-free PristineBlue water. The nominal amount of chlorine used on these rare occasions will dissipate and be gone forever within a few hours.
NOT OK - PristineBlue is not compatible with any polymeric biguanide or hydrogen peroxide product and when converting a pool from these chemicals to PristineBlue, it is very important to carefully follow the procedures outlined in the Pool and Spa Care Guide.
OK - Vinyl, fiberglass, cured plaster, acrylic and painted pool surfaces.
NOT OK - Newly constructed gunite, marcite, unpainted plaster and unpainted concrete pools. PristineBlue is compatible with all types of pool surfaces and construction, but we discourage the use of the PristineBlue system during the first six months as there is slight risk that the pool surface could be chemically stained before it has had time to fully cure. Bleaching agents (chlorine or bromine) are more appropriate during this period. PristineBlue can be used in most situations after the pool is approximately 6 months old.
OK - Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) filters, low rate sand filters, high rate sand filters and cartridge filters. Due to the ability of D.E. filters and some cartridge filters to filter very fine particles it may be necessary to shock these pools with PristinePower more often than pools with sand filters to keep down back pressure.
NOT OK - Freezing temperatures. Undiluted PristineBlue products must be protected from freezing. Once the products are added to your pool, freezing has little effect.
OK - Ozone. Ozone has a quick kill but has a very short residual allowing bacteria and algae to re-grow. PristineBlue's slower kill and extremely long residual prevents algae and bacteria from coming back.
How do I get rid of a stain?
PristineBlue is designed to minimize staining problems. Some of the most common causes of staining are out of balance water, chemical overdosing, and failure to follow the procedures in the Pool and Spa Care Guide. Be sure you follow the procedures in the Care Guide to prevent the reoccurrence of staining.
Due to the bleaching action of chlorine, stains that were not previously visible may appear on the pool surface after chlorine use is discontinued.
The first step in treating a stain is to determine whether the stain is mineral or organic. If you have any doubts, treat for mineral stains first.
Mineral Stains
WARNING: Shocking a mineral stain with chlorine will set the stain and make it far more difficult to remove.
Causes
Not using PristineCheck and failing to backwash filter before starting the pool on PristineBlue
Failure to BACKWASH between addition of PristineCheck and PristineBlue during start-up
Overdosing with PristineBlue
High pH or total alkalinity
Failure to use PristineCheck to control high calcium hardness
Failure to use PristineClean to control metals
Inadequate filtration
Addition of calcium to pool after PristineBlue Start Up
High levels of metal in make up water
Mineral Stain Removal (HINT: this procedure may be used with chlorine pools, too!)
Lower pH to 7.2
Lower total alkalinity to 30 to 90 ppm
Run filter until stains are removed
If stains are not gone in 24 hours,
Lower pH to 6.8. Isolate heater from system when dropping pH below 7.0.
Make sure total alkalinity is 30 to 90 ppm
Add 3 ounces of PristineClean per 1,000 gallons of pool water
Run filter until stains are removed
The above procedure is useful in removing mineral stains with all water treatment systems (except biguanide). Generally speaking, the newer the stain, the easier it is to remove. Fresh stains can be removed almost instantly while older stains may take several days to remove. Shocking with chlorine will set the stain and make it far more difficult to remove.
Some metallic stains are harder to remove and may require oxalic acid. Oxalic acide can be used on many different surfaces and is highly recommended for removing stains from fiberglass. It is very important to follow the safety precautions on the container when using oxalic acid. It is applied by pouring a few ounces in a folded cloth and rubbing on the stain. Rubber gloves should be worn.
Organic Stains
Causes
Leaves or other vegetable matter left in the pool over the winter or long periods of time
Not running filter long enough or improper filter maintenance
Black algae
Organic fertilizers in the air or from application to plants or grass near pool
"Bleed through" from the backside of vinyl liners due to decaying vegetable matter, fungus or algae
Failure to shock pool on a regular basis with PristinePower
Low PristineBlue level
Organic Stain Removal
Lower pH to 7.2
Shock with one pound of sodium hypochlorite or lithium hypochlorite per 10,000 gallons of pool water daily until the stain is removed
Run filter continuously and backwash daily
If the stain is black algae, follow the above steps and brush daily. PristineBlue will prevent reoccurrence.
How can I clear up water that's cloudy?
The most common complaint of pool and spa owners is cloudy water. The main difficulty of treating cloudy water is to determine the cause. While the PristineBlue system is designed to minimize cloudy water problems, there are a few things you can do to solve these problems and prevent reoccurrence. By far the most common reason for cloudy water is failure to follow the procedures in the Pool and Spa Care Guide.
Also very important is water balance and adequate filtration. Filter media should be changed periodically, including sand filters, to prevent cloudy water. See your filter instructions or consult your dealer.
Most cloudy water problems are solved by doing the following:
1) Lower pH to 7.2
2) Supershock with PristinePower (2 lbs. per 10,000 gallons of water)
3) Filter continuously for 24 hours
4) If after 24 hours the water is not clear, proceed to the following
Symptom: Cloudy water.
Cause: Dust, dirt, dead algae and bacteria.
Solution: Supershock pool with PristinePower. Check filter, backwash and clean filter if necessary. Filter for 24 hours.

Symptom: Cloudy water immediately after applying PristineBlue.
Cause: High calcium.
Solution: Water will clear in 3 to 6 hours. Be sure pH is 7.2 to 7.6 and use PristineCheck on a regular basis as per the Pool and Spa Care Guide. Filter for 24 hours.

Symptom: Green or yellow water in a pool previously on Baquacil / SoftSwim.
Cause: Residual of Baquacil still in pool, pipes or filter; failure to change filter media before conversion; addition of chlorine; not following Modified Conversion instructions.
Solution: Shock the pool daily until it clears, then run the pool on chlorine for 2 weeks. It is important to remember these problems are caused by the Baquacil residual, not the introduction of PristineBlue. Use adequate filtration.

Symptom: Greenish haze.
Cause: High pH, high total alkalinity or addition of a large doze of calcium or alkalinity up.
Solution: Lower pH and alkalinity. Follow up with a PristinePower shock (1 pound per 10,000 gallons).

Symptom: Cloudy water after PristineBlue start-up.
Cause: Failure to use PristineCheck and/or failure to backwash filter before adding PristineBlue.
Solution: Add 2 ounces of PristineCheck per 1,000 gallons, run filter 24 hours, backwash, lower pH to 7.2 and adjust PristineBlue level.
What is PristineBlue's shelf life?
PristineBlue stays active indefinitely and can be used from season to season if stored in a closed container at a temperature above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If PristineBlue freezes, product separation will occur and it won't be effective against algae and bacteria in your pool. PristineClean and PristineCheck last indefinitely regardless of temperature conditions. Unopened packages of PristinePower will be most effective if used within a year after purchased; opened packages of PristinePower should be stored in a tightly sealed container and used as quickly as possible. Test Kit tablet reagents should be replaced if more than one year old.
How much does PristineBlue cost?
While the actual amount of PristineBlue each pool uses is dependent on biological load, we have calculated an average cost per month of about $25 per 10,000 gallons of water. This amount will vary by location, bather load and the size of container you purchase.
How does PristineBlue work?
Copper sulfate pentahydrate, PristineBlue's active ingredient, is a universally accepted algicide. What makes PristineBlue different from other copper products on the market is ET-3000. ET-3000 bonds to the copper and allows us to introduce enough active ingredient in the water to control bacteria as well as algae. ET-3000 suspends copper ions in the water to prevent them from staining the pool and also makes PristineBlue self-distributing, so there are no unprotected "dead spots" in the pool caused by inadequate circulation.

Copyright 2000 Earth Science Laboratories, Inc.