Chlorine Demand
Chlorine Demand
Occasionally, traditional chlorination methods are not effective because of contaminants within the pool water. The pool owner may not be able to achieve a chlorine reading while using the same chlorination dosage as usual. This creates what is known as 'Chlorine Demand'.
High levels (>100ppm) of cyanuric acid (typically used as a stabilizer or conditioner) can be one of the culprits. Elevated cyanuric acid slows down the effectiveness of chlorine to control algae and other contaminants. Cyanuric acid is not the only culprit. Other causes may be live adn/or dead algae, organics, ammonia, nitrates, phosphates, combined chlorine (chloramines) and certain carbonates. We suggest E-Z POOL® to remedy this.
Treatment Protocol
-
Balance water and clean/backwash filter.
-
Add ten scoops (5lb) of E-Z POOL® and 16oz of Revive!® for every 10,000 gallons of pool water. Let the pool circulate 24-48 hours without swimming.
-
After 48 hours, clean/backwash filter again, recheck balance and adjust if necessary, add typical chlorine dosages. Check chlorine readings in 24 hours.
-
Repeat process if necessary.
-
Resume normal pool maintenance or begin on the E-Z POOL® or PEPPER® program.
-
Prior to starting any chlorine demand treatment, test pool for nitrates. If they are >20ppm, draining the pool is recommended.
-
Cyanuric acid recommended levels are typically <60ppm. The higher above this level, the harder it is to keep water balanced, even after finishing this treatment. Anything >100ppm, first consider replacing pool water.
