Salt Water Maintenance

Filtration and chlorination system operating periods

Run your filtration and chlorination system for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. During very hot weather it might be necessary to run the system for additional hours, but in winter where pools remain open, the filtration system may be run over a shorter period of time. Shorter periods will help to lengthen the life of the cell electrodes.

Chlorine output settings

Start operation of the Clearwater LM2 at maximum output. Add salt to the pool if the 'Add Salt' light is showing. Add 1 gram of salt per liter to raise the salt level by 1000ppm. Refer to ��Salt: When and how to add it' and the salt chart. Do not operate the Clearwater until all the salt has dissolved, as this will cause damage to the unit.

Free (residual) chlorine reading

The free chlorine residual in the pool should be between 1- 3 ppm. Increasing the daily operating period of the system increases the free chlorine reading, and a shorter operating period reduces the chlorine reading. Likewise, operating the chlorinator at maximum output will produce a higher chlorine reading than operating the chlorinator at a lower setting.

Chlorine stabilizer (Cyanuric acid) level

The chlorine stabilizer (Cyanuric acid) reading should be between 30-100 ppm. This will vary depending on your regional climate. Chlorine stabilizer helps to keep a satisfactory free chlorine reading in hot sunny climates. Extremely hot and sunny climates will require readings at the higher end on the given range. Refer to stabilizer chart. Cyanuric acid prevents rapid destruction of chlorine by the sun's rays. Regulations may exist regarding the use of Cyanuric acid; please consult your local authority. NOTE: Cyanuric acid is not needed for indoor pools.

pH readings

It is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL that the pH of the pool be maintained in the range of 7.0 - 7.2.

The effectiveness of chlorine as a sanitizer is significantly reduced as the pH rises. At a pH of 8.0 nearly all of the chlorine being added to the pool is ineffective, and it will be almost impossible to maintain a satisfactory free chlorine reading. Over chlorinating will cause an increase in pH. Maintain a chlorine level of 1-3 ppm and do not super chlorinate unless necessary.

Super chlorinate function

The super chlorinate button automatically boosts chlorine levels for a period of 24 hours.

During this time it is safe to swim. Super chlorinating should not be part of regular maintenance. Use the function only in situations of increased bather load, or if experiencing trouble (see Troubleshooting section). If your chlorine levels are appropriate (1-3 ppm), super chlorinating on a regular basis is not necessary and will raise pH levels and reduce the life of the cell.

Regular maintenance checks

Daily:

Check the free chlorine.

Check the total alkalinity. Adjust if necessary.

Check the pH of the water. Adjust if necessary

Weekly:

�Visually check the cell electrodes. Only if necessary, remove the cell and flush with a garden hose to remove any debris that may have passed through the filter and lodged in the cell housing. Avoid inserting objects into the cell, which can scratch or bend the cell plates.

Check the pressure gauge on the filter to see if backwashing is necessary.

Monthly:

Check the salt concentration of the pool (see ��Salt: When And How To Add It').

Check the chlorine stabilizer reading. Adjust if necessary.

You should always test the chlorine levels of your pool before each use.

NOTE: Maintaining constantly high levels of salt and chlorine above recommended range can contribute to corrosion of the pool equipment. Diluting the pool water with fresh water can reduce salt levels exceeding the recommended concentration.

Do not add pool chemicals directly to the skimmer. This may damage the cell.

Spring start-up

The output of the cell is determined by water temperature, salt level and mains voltage. In the springtime when the water temperature of the pool may be below 18 �C (65 �F) the Add Salt light may light up. Then add salt light is only reliable at temperatures above 18 �C (65 �F) because the temperature affects the conductivity of the water. There is no need to add salt if the level is already at 4000 ppm. In cold water there is very low chlorine demand because of low bather load, therefore the chlorine output should be set to minimum or you may not need the chlorinator on at all.

Backwashing pool filter

When backwashing your pool filter turn off the chlorinator by pushing the on/off button.

When to add salt

Add salt when indicated on the control panel. The light marked ��Add Salt' functions automatically when salt is needed. Note that the ��Add Salt' light may switch on at any salt level between 3000 and 4000 ppm, depending upon the water temperature and mains voltage (see note). This is not a fault but a precaution to ensure that the salt level is never too low.

The salt concentration should normally be around 4000 ppm, but should never be allowed to fall below 3000 ppm, as this can reduce the life of the cell electrodes. Salt is not lost through evaporation. Salt is lost with the water splashed out of the pool or during backwash. Adding fresh water or rainfall to the pool dilutes the salt concentration. Adding salt may be needed from time to time to maintain an optimum salt level.

How much to add

Use a salt test strip to determine salt level in pool water prior to adding any salt. Capture water from elbows depth in a container, then use a test strip in this water sample. Previous regular usage of sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) creates residual salt within the pool and may bring your salt level close to the required 4000-ppm concentration. Only 99.5% pure refined salt (sodium chloride) should be used with the Clearwater chlorinator. Add enough salt to obtain a 4000-ppm concentration.

1 gram per liter raises the salt level by 1000 ppm.

In a NEW pool (where there is no salt residual) of approximately 80 000 liters, eight 40 kg bags of salt are required to reach a 4000 ppm concentration.

Refer to ��Salt Chart'.

Winterizing

When closing the pool for the winter, perform the following additional steps to winterize your Clearwater salt chlorinator.

1. Turn off the power to the Clearwater at the circuit breaker.

2. Remove the Clearwater cell by unthreading the quick disconnects unions and removing the three wires from the cell. Inspect the cell for calcium deposits and clean if necessary with a solution of 1 part muriatic acid and 10 parts water (see ��How to clean your cell ��).

3. Coil the wires and wrap them in a plastic bag to prevent corrosion over the winter. Tape the bag to the power pack.

4. Insert expandable plugs (available from your pool professional) into upright plumbing lines where the cell was connected.

5. Store the Clearwater cell indoors for the duration of the winter.

How to clean your cell

In unusual situations, the self cleaning electrodes may benefit from occasional manual cleaning to remove scale build-up as the result of having very ��hard �� water or continuous high pH conditions, which can occur with new plaster finishes.

1. Switch off the filter pump and chlorinator, close necessary valves. Note: Always turn pump off prior to installing or removing any Clearwater cell. Your pump / filter system is operated under pressure and pressure must be released before you begin. Open the air relief valve on your pool filter to release the pressure in the system.

2. Unplug the leads from the cell terminals.

3. Undo the two barrel unions joining the cell housing to the pool filtration system and carefully remove the cell housing. Lay the housing upside down on a flat surface with the inlet ports on top.

4. Mix cleaning solution in a suitable plastic vessel by adding one part of hydrochloric (muriatic) acid to ten parts water. Note: To avoid splash, always ADD MURIATIC

ACID TO WATER rather than water to muriatic acid. Solutions stronger that 1:10 will damage cell and void warranty. Pour the cleaning mixture into the upturned cell housing until the electrodes are completely covered. Allow the cleaning solution to dissolve the calcium deposits for approximately 5 minutes. When the electrodes are clean, pour the leaning solution and the calcium residue out of the cell housing into a bucket of water. The leaning solution containing muriatic acid must be disposed of according to federal, provincial or local regulations. Note: Never mix chemicals together. Always rinse bucket and drain area after cleaning cell.

To avoid personal injury when working with pool chemicals, always wear rubber gloves and eye protection and work in a well-ventilated area. Use caution when choosing a location to open and use chemicals as they may damage any surface in which they come in contact.

5. Repeat the procedure if necessary. Take care to avoid splashing the cell terminals and other equipment with the acidic cleaning solution. Wash down any spills with plenty of fresh water.

6. Rinse the electrodes in clean water and refit the cell and housing to the filtration system. Tighten the barrel union connectors to prevent leaks.

7. Replace the electrical connectors after drying and smearing lightly with silicone grease.

8. Reset valves and switches. Turn pump and chlorinator on.

9. Confirm chlorine output and settings on the power pack.