Clarkee's Pool Care Guide - Questions and Answers

Can I put a salt water chlorinator on my pool?
This depends on the type of pool you have. Some metal walled pools are not salt water compatible, however almost all inground pools can easily be converted with a salt chlorinator.

Can I put a salt water chlorinator on my pool?
This depends on the type of pool you have. Some metal walled pools are not salt water compatible, however almost all inground pools can easily be converted with a salt chlorinator. Your Clark Rubber store can give you the best advice.

Do I need a pool fence for my pool?
Almost all pools require a safety fence that conforms to Australian Standards. Clark Rubber strongly advocates safe, responsible swimming. The best advice is to check with your local council, as requirements differ.

Why does blonde hair sometimes turn green in swimming pools?
Usually, this is associated with copper present in the water. This may be either from a copper based algaecide, or copper present in the water supply. One way to help prevent hair turning green is to thoroughly wet the hair with tap water before swimming and then rinse it well as soon as you are out of the pool. If the hair has turned green, your local pharmacy can advise you which shampoo contains a chelating agent that will restore hair to its natural colour. People complain of sore eyes in the pool. Most likely this is caused by an incorrect pH balance. Adjusting the pH between 7.4 - 7.6 should fix the problem.

It can also be caused by chloramines which give off an obnoxious chlorine smell and can burn eyes. The most effective way to remove chloramines from the wateris to use a non-chlorine based oxidiser. Not only is it the most effective, but you can swim in the pool one hour after dosing. A non-chlorine based oxidiser used regularly will provide you with a clean, sparkling and healthy pool.

How do I test for water balance?
Most home use test kits can test for the basics of water balance but the preferred way is to regularly bring a test sample into your local Clark Rubber store for a computer analysis.

How do I test for chlorine?
Whenever you test for water, take the sample from arm’s length in your pool. Most home use test kits can test the chlorine level. It is best tested in the morning prior to swimmers using the pool.

When should I add chlorine to my pool?
Chlorine is best added at night when the sunlight is not directly on the pool, but chlorine can also be added during the day if the chlorine level is below 2 ppm. Just wait half an hour before swimmers use the pool.

How often should I clean my cartridge?
This depends on the size of the cartridge and pump, the size of the pool, bather load and how much debris enters your pool. On average, a cartridge should be cleaned once a month, but for smaller pools it can be more frequently.

How often should I backwash my sand filter?
Usually once a month is sufficient to backwash a sand filter. However, the best guide is to note the pressure on your pressure gauge immediately after a backwash. Once the gauge reads 50 Kpa above that, it is time to backwash again.