Chlorine-Free Pool Products

Is PristineBlue® compatible with other products?

PristineBlue® may be used with chlorine, bromine and most water balance chemicals. 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 and filter aids.
NOT OK - Metal out products, stain and scale products, algicides, calcium, flocculants and cal-hypo shocks. Use of these products is 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.
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 & 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. 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. The extremely long residual of PristineBlue® 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 & Spa Care Guide. 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 most important element of treating stains is determining whether it is a metal/mineral or organic stain. If there is any doubt, treat as a mineral stain first. The treatment (chlorine shock) used for organic stains can sometimes set a mineral stain and make it more difficult to remove. Most stains can be removed instantly while older stains may take several days or more than one stain treatment. To determine whether the stain you’re dealing with is mineral or organic in nature, perform a “sock test”:

Place a small amount (1/2 cup to 1 cup) of dry acid (granular pH decreaser) in an old sock and tie to form a small pouch. Place the sock on the stain for three or four minutes, using an extension pole to hold the sock in place if necessary. Remove and discard. If the stain has lightened or changed color where the sock was placed, the stain is mineral in nature and should be treated according to the suggestions below for mineral stain removal.

If there is no change to the stain with the acid sock, make a similar pouch with a second old sock and granular chlorine. Set this sock on the stain for three or four minutes, using an extension pole to hold the sock in place if necessary. Remove and discard. If the stain lightens or changes color, the stain is organic and should be treated according to the suggestions below for organic stain removal.

Mineral Stain Removal Method:

Isolate heater from system when dropping pH below 7.0. Lower pH to 6.8 and alkalinity less than 90. Add 3 ounces PristineClean® per 1,000 gallons of water. Run filter until stain is removed. A second application may be necessary after 72 hours. Increase pH after stain has lifted.

ALTERNATE METHOD: Adjust pH to 7.2 - 7.6. Add oxalic acid (1 lb. per 10,000 gallons) according to label directions. Run filter continuously during this process.  Rebalance water.

Organic Stain Removal Method:

Lower pH to 7.2. Shock with PristineExtra® (2 lb. per 10,000 gallons of water). Run filter continuously and backwash daily.  Repeat if neccessary.


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. Since water balance is affected by such things as rain, dirt, leaves and bather load, testing the water frequently is vital. Some problems that occur due to unbalanced water are skin and eye irritation, cloudy or green water, corrosion or scaling of equipment and ineffective algae and bacteria control. Most published water parameters were calculated to complement chlorine but are not the ideal parameters for the PristineBlue® water treatment system. It is important that the water is BALANCED before starting on PristineBlue®. 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 = 50 to 90 ppm
• pH = 7.2 to 7.6
• Calcium Hardness = 100 to 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.