Why! Why! Why! No Chlorine Reading on my Test Strips!

Here's the situation:

"Why when lots of shock was added to the pool and I know it's there, I get no reading on 3 different test kits.  I tested immediately after adding the shock, I got a reading of 10 (extreme high). In 5 hours no reading at all (extreme low). I used shock from two different sources. Also, I never had this problem in 30 years." 

It's not the product.

It's not the test kits. 

You simply have not added enough chlorine!

You must add enough chlorine to react with all of the organic matter, algae (live and dead) and wastes in the pool, pipes and filters. 

Green pool. Cloudy pool.

Obviously, if the pool is cloudy or green with algae, you will need to add large doses of chlorine shock. It's easier to understand why you can't establish a chlorine reading if a pool is in that type of condition and obviously needs extreme chemical treatment.

Clear pool.

However, you can have a clear pool and not be able to establish a free chlorine reading.  The pool appears clear. Yet no reading on your testing equipment. That's because what you can't see is microscopic in size (bacteria and particles). By the way, if I looked at your "clear" pool, I would probably not consider it clear, but dull looking. An officially clear pool is CRYSTAL clear and sparkling!

So then, how do you know how much is enough?

ANSWER: Until you get a free chlorine level to last through an overnight period, you will probably not have added enough. 

For the best results bring a sample of your pool water to PoolCo for a complete computerized water analysis. We will customize a plan and diagnose proper dosages for helping overcome this chlorine demand situation. Best of all, the test is free!

As for why this has never happened to you before: 

There could be many explanations for why you never had the problem before. Closing too early in the fall or opening too late in the spring. Winterizing chemicals only last for a very short time once the water under the cover begins to heat up. Older pool cover with pin holes?

SAFETY NOTE: NEVER Add shock through the skimmer! Always add pool shock to water, either directly to the pool or add to a large bucket filled with water.

Pool equipment and chemical manufacturers advise not to do this, as it may damage equipment or cause a dangerous chemical reaction.

Algae Free Guarantee - PoolCo Peace of Mind

 The Basics

– Algae should not grow if you properly care for your pool.

– Algae will not grow if you use BioGuard products and follow

   one of our proven pool care systems.

– Algae can’t grow because you’ll get free product to kill it does! 

 

   

PoolCo Guarantees it!



Poolco Guarantees It!

PoolCo guarantees that if you, our valued customers,
follow one of our easy chemical programs,
your pool will remain FREE FROM ALGAE.







1. Follow a BioGuard Pool Program



If you follow our program and your pool develops algae, PoolCo will troubleshoot the chemical problem and...

GIVE YOU THE ALGAE  KILLING CHEMICALS FOR FREE that we feel are needed to clear your pool. 

2. Run the pump and filter

at least 10 to 12 hours a day.





Algae clearing chemicals included in our program are shock and algaecide products of our choice that we feel will eliminate your algae.  



3. Have your water tested every 4-6 weeks





Any other chemicals needed to balance the water (which should already be balanced according to our plans) or to help eliminate any non-algae problems such as mineral or pollen problems, etc. will be the sole responsibility of you, the consumer.                

 

 



4. Maintain BioGuard
Optimizer Plus at 30 to 50 ppm.



For the GUARANTEE to work, your pool must test in the proper sanitizer range and the pool must be balanced. Otherwise, we know that problems will develop.

If the pool tests properly and you have algae after following one of our algae-free plans, we will step up and give you the chemicals to kill the algae.

But guess what? If you follow our rules, we don't think you'll have to worry about it.

Visit PoolCo today and find out how to qualify for our

Algae Free Guarantee.   



Ask for a copy of how to qualify for  PoolCo's Algae Free Guarantee 



To be fair PoolCo cannot, obviously, be responsible for:

1. Algae present upon opening the pool or any algae problems present before starting one of our programs or algae due to the discontinuation of one of our programs.

2. Inadequate filtration - we recommend that you run your filter a minimum of 12 hrs per day.

3. Dirty filters - backwash and clean your filter as needed to maintain proper flow.

4. Improper maintenance - empty baskets regularly to maintain proper flow, vacuum and brush pool walls as needed.

5. Improper water balance - the key base to all plans is a balanced pool so that other chemicals work effectively and for swimming comfort and equipment care. This includes pool water displacement from rain during periods of heavy and continued days of rainfall and water displacement frequent topping off of pool water from your garden hose during periods of drought.  Generally speaking, bring your pool water in for testing and rebalance if more than 12 inches of new rain or fill water has been added to the pool in less than a week.

STEP 1: How to Open Your Pool - Plan To Open Your Pool Before Mother's Day

How to Open your pool video

Don’t open too late this spring!

If  the pool was closed properly, winterizing chemicals are made to properly WORK for a maximum of about 4 months. If the pool is going to be closed for a longer period of time (example closing before October 1 and opening after May 1), it is absolutely necessary to add additional shock and algaecide to the winterizing process.

Some pools should also apply additional doses of winterizing chemicals late fall and early spring. To prevent damage to your pool's surface, see PoolCo for how to properly add chemicals to the pool while covered. This will help to prevent not only algae growth but chlorine and SoftSwim C demand at pool opening.

Optimizer Plus®
Highly recommended for any pool: closed before Oct 1st
opened after May 1st.



Algae Free Guarantee Sale

SAVE NOW! All the perfect pool products you need to get started this spring are at Poolco

PoolCo Website