FAQ
My pool water usually sparkles, but sometimes it gets cloudy. What should I do about that?
Many things can cause pool water to become cloudy. Dirty or old filter media, improper water balance (high pH), or low sanitizer levels are the most common. BioGuard has the solution for your individual problem.
| Lo 'N Slo | To correct high pH |
| Strip Kwik or Kleen It | For dirty filter media |
| Burn Out WP of Burn Out 35 | To boost sanitizer level |
If I get algae and want to get rid of it, do I have to know what type it is?
Luckily, BioGuard has a product—Banish—that kills all types of swimming pool algae so you don't have to get specific. Algae can range in color from green, blue-green (black), and yellow. Take a sample of your water to your BioGuard dealer. They will recommend Banish or one of the many products BioGuard has to treat algae.
| Banish | Kills all type of swimming pool algae |
| Spot Kill | Treats green or black algae in pools with a bleachable surface |
| Spot Kill WP | Used to treat green or black algae in white plaster pools only |
I'm noticing some staining on my pool and I know it's from metals in the water. What's the solution?
Why does my pool turn my hair green?
When your pool contains metal—usually copper—your hair can turn green. If this is happening to you, bring in a water sample so we can recommend a solution that is right for you.
I hear a lot about pH. What exactly is it?
pH measures the acidity and alkalinity of pool water and is the most important part of pool maintenance. A proper pH will protect the pool finish and equipment and help the sanitizer perform at its best.
What does total alkalinity mean?
Total alkalinity (TA) measures the water's buffering ability that prevents rapid pH fluctuation. Environmental factors such as acid rain, pollution, run-off from surrounding land, and fertilizers can cause the pH to fluctuate if the total alkalinity is not within proper range.
What is calcium hardness?
Calcium hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium in water. If the calcium level is too high it can cause scale to attach to the pool walls, build up in the equipment, and cause cloudy water. If the level is too low it can damage equipment and the pool surface.
There's some pinkish, slimy stuff in my pool. Help!
That sounds like slime. Check with your BioGuard dealer by bringing in a water sample. If it is slime, brushing the pool walls before treating is very important. Use Super Soluble to treat for slime in chlorinated or brominated pools.
What can I do if shocking doesn't prevent my chlorine residual from being too low?
You may have a high level of contaminants in your pool water which causes a chlorine demand. Repeated additions of Burn Out WP or Burn Out 35 will correct the problem. Take a water sample to your BioGuard Dealer and let them perform a test to help determine the right amount of shock needed.
How often should I shock my pool?
This depends on what type of shock you are using. BioGuard Smart Shock requires the pool to be shocked once-per-week, but you can swim 15 minutes after you add it! BioGuard Burn Out Extreme or BioGuard Burn Out 35 requires the pool to be shocked once-every-other-week. However, you do have to wait at least eight hours before you swim. Please call us to find out which shock is best for you!
How long do I have to wait after shocking the pool before I swim?
Some chlorine products will tell you on the package how long to wait before you re-enter the pool. If you are unsure, you should wait until the chlorine level drops below a 5.0ppm before re-entering the pool.
How long should I filter my pool each day?
Your pool should circulate at least 10-12 hours every day.