Poolmaster 22280 5-Way Test Kit - Manual (Page 5)

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This can and should be determined through regular
use of your test kit. The chlorine residual can exist
as free (active) chlorine and/or combined (less
effective) chlorine. You can distinguish between
free and combined chlorine by following the test
procedures outlined in step 4 of the Chlorine Residual
Test. Regular use of chlorine will normally keep the
chlorine residual at the proper level. However,
once in a while, during periods of high bather load,
heavy rains or extremely high temperatures, a
“shock treatment” or “super chlorination” of three
to four times the normal chlorine application may be
needed to kill the abnormal amounts of algae and
bacteria which may have entered the pool.
BROMINE
Bromine is another effective pool and spa sanitizer,
although it is somewhat different from chlorine. Pool
or spas using bromine do not require a conditioner.
Like chlorine, bromine combines with nitrogen and
ammonia compounds to form bromamines (not
chloramines). Unlike chloramines, bromamines do
not irritate eyes or have an offensive odor.
pH BALANCE
pH is the relative measure of acidity versus alkalinity
in the pool water.
High pH (too much alkaline or a reading over 7.6)
will cause loss of chlorine effectiveness and may
cause cloudy water and scale formation on pipes
and the sides of the pool. Low pH (too much acid
or a reading under 7.2) may cause irritation to the
eyes, ears, noses and throats of swimmers and
may result in corrosion of pipes and fixtures and
deterioration of the filter.
The pH of pool water should be maintained
between 7.2 and 7.6 on the pH scale. At that level,
with proper chlorination, most algae, corrosion and
scale problems will be avoided.