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When you use BioGuard® products and follow your Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro's advice, problems with your pool should be rare. If something does go wrong, this section will help you to identify the problem and find a quick solution.

When it comes to specific questions or concerns about your pool, your best source of advice is your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro. The quickest way to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment for problems is water analysis at your Poolside Water Wizards.

Cloudy Water

Coloured Water

Metals and Stains

 Algae

  Scale

Eye and Skin Irritation / Chlorine Odour

Chlorine Demand

1. Check your filtration and circulation system.

Is the flow from the returns strong or weak? How many hours a day is the filter operating?

Solution: The filter must be in proper working order, filled, cleaned and operated no fewer than 10 hours each day during swimming season. If the filter hasn't been operating at least 10 hours a day, run it 24 hours a day until the water clears. To speed the process, use BioGuard® Polysheen Plus and Quick Clear or Super Clear Clarifying Tablets.

Is the filter clean?

Solution: To clean a dirty filter, remove greases, oils and scale build-up, use BioGuard® Filter Brite.

Is there enough sand or DE (Diatomaceous Earth) in the filter? Is the filter working properly? Does it need to be backwashed?

Solution: Service may be required for equipment problems.

2. Check the chlorine level.

Is the chlorine level less than 1.0ppm? Are chloramines present?
If the sanitiser level drops in the pool, bacteria and algae may invade or organic wastes can build up, causing water to cloud and lose its sparkle.

Solution: Add BioGuard® Lite® or Burn Out® 35. For salt pools, use Salt Pool Sparkle.

3.Check pH and Total Alkalinity (TA).

Is the pH too high?
If the pH of the water is over 7.6 it may cause cloudiness and scale build-up.

Is the Total Alkalinity high (over 150ppm)?
If so, it can cause cloudy water and scale formation.

Solution: Monitor pH and add BioGuard® Lo N' Slo®.

4.Check for algae.

Is algae visible? Are the walls or other fixtures slick or slimy?
In its early stages, algae growth may not be visible. Or, it may show up as black or mustard spots on pool surfaces. Algae may be the source of cloudy water.

Solution: Add BioGuard® Power Chlor or Burn Out®35, along with Back Up II®.

5. Check other water balance factors.

The best way to check water balance is through your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro .
Your Pool Pro's detailed analysis will check factors such as Calcium Hardness and Total Dissolved Solids, which may also contribute to cloudy water. Follow your Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro's recommendations carefully.

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Once you have seen the way your pool looks when maintained properly, you'll know that it should be sparkling, clear and blue.

When water is off-colour, a problem is probably lurking.

1. Green Water

Is the water cloudy and green?

Solution: See Algae.

Is the water clear and green?

Solution: See Metals.

1. Other Colours

Water can turn reddish-brown, grey or coffee-brown because of the presence of metals such as manganese, copper or iron.

Solution: Have your water tested by your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro for trace metals.

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To remove metals and eliminate coloured water, use Pool Magnet® and Quick Clear®.

To prevent stains, keep your water balanced and have your water tested once a month by your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro. The test will reveal whether metals are present and help prevent problems with stains.

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If algae has become visible in your pool, it means that there are about 30 million algae spores per ounce of pool water. Luckily, BioGuard® has treatments for all types of algae - from green slime to mustard to black spot. BioGuard® can turn a swampy mess into a sparkling pool.

1. Green Algae
Green algae is one of the most common pool problems. It usually appears in corners or other areas where circulation is poor. Once established, green algae can grow explosively.

Solution: Use Power Chlor; or Burn Out® 35 in conjunction with MSA II.

2. Mustard Algae
Another common algae in pools is yellow-brown or "mustard" coloured. It brushes off the walls of the pool easily, but quickly returns. It often grows in shady areas or areas with poor circulation. It resists chlorine and shock treatment.

Solution: Use Power Chlor or Burn Out® 35 along with MSA II.
Follow label directions carefully.

3. Black Spot Algae
This is a very resistant form of algae that clings to, and grows into, the pool's surface and floor. Black Spot Algae is so named because it forms clumps or algae spots. The longer Black Spot Algae is present, the more treatment will be required - and the longer it will take to eliminate.

Solution: Brush vigorously and use MSA II or Spot Kill®. Treat Black Spot Algae as soon as it is detected.

4. Pink Slime
Pink Slimeshows up around ladders, pool lights, skimmers and areas with poor circulation before becoming visible around pool walls. Called pink slime because of its pink colour and slimy feel, it can be brushed off walls easily. Brushing is the easiest way to determine whether you have pink slime or a pink stain (which is a different problem).

Pink slime can hide in many places. Check light niches, under ladder treads, steps, automatic cleaners, filters and all plastic fittings.

Solution: Brushing is critical to the removal of pink slime. Brush affected areas and treat with Power Chlor or Burn Out® 35 in conjunction with Back Up® II.

5. Preventing Algae
Prevention is the best cure for all types of algae. By following the BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Once-A-Week Program, which includes a maintenance dose of algae preventative, and by brushing regularly, algae will have a difficult time taking hold. A regular water analysis will also help to detect problems before they get out of hand.

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Rough, sandpaper-like deposits can coat the walls of your pool and clog pipes, filters and heaters.

Solution: Lower pH and total alkalinity to the proper range with BioGuard® Lo N' Slo® .

Before you attempt to remove existing scale, contact your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro.

If the scale is visible on pool walls, it is also in the heater, piping and recirculation system. This can lead to serious equipment problems and clogging.

Preventing Scale
Prevent scale problems by keeping pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness in check with regular testing and analysis. In some areas, calcium hardness is naturally high. In this case, use BioGuard® Scale Inhibitor® regularly. For salt pools, use Salt Pool Stain and Scale Control.

When you have had past scale problems, ask your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro for advice on using Scale Inhibitor® as a periodic preventative.

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When you notice a strong chlorine odour and water is irritating to eyes or skin, it isn't necessarily the chlorine that's to blame - but they are indicators that something is wrong.

1. Check Chloramines.
Having your water analysed by your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro may reveal chloramines (combined chlorine).

Solution: Your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro can recommend the necessary dosage of Lite® or Burn Out® 35 to clear up the problem. Use Salt Pool Sparkle for salt pools.

2. How long since the pool was shock treated?
If it's been a while since you shocked your pool, shock with Lite®, Burn Out® 35 or Salt Pool Sparkle.

3. Check pH.
Low pH can be the cause of eye and skin irritation / chlorine odour.
Solution: Raise pH with Balance Pak® 200.

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There are many reasons you may not be able to maintain a proper chlorine level.

1. Check filter running time
Your filter must run approximately 10 hours each day during the swimming season or there will not be enough chlorine distributed in the water to kill bacteria.

Solution: Ensure your filter operates at least 10 hours a day.

2. Check chlorine
If there isn't enough chlorine in your skimmer or chlorinator, or if the automatic chlorinator is not working properly, you may get a low reading.

Solution: Make sure to replenish chlorine and check for clogs in chlorinator lines.

3. Check for algae
Algae will cause a drastic increase in the amount of chlorine your pool uses. Look for signs around low circulation areas, cracks and crevices.

Solution: Take a water sample to your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro and get a treatment recommendation.

4.Check water balance
If your water is not properly balanced, more chlorine will be consumed.

Solution: Balance your water according to your Pool Pro's instructions or according to your home test kit. Keeping the water balanced allows more efficient use of chlorine.

5.Check for high chlorine
Your test kit reading will sometimes indicate that you have no chlorine when you actually have too much. This can happen when high levels of chlorine bleach out the DPD test tablet, making it appear that there is no chlorine present.

Solution: Usually, high levels of chlorine will dissipate quickly. However, if you are unsure whether your chlorine test is being affected, see your BioGuard® Poolside Water Wizards Pool Pro. BioGuard® Chem-Out® can also be used to quickly reduce excess levels of chlorine.

6. Check test kit reagents
The test kit reagents used in performing the tests can go bad over time. Replace reagents at the start of every season to ensure accurate testing.

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