FAQs

You should test your water at least once or twice per week during peak swimming season. Regular testing is critical because factors like sunlight, heavy usage (bather load), and rainfall constantly change the balance. The most important levels to maintain are:

• PH: 7.2 - 7.8 (for swimmer comfort and chlorine effectiveness)
• Chlorine (Free Available): 2.0 - 5.0 ppm (parts per million)
• Total Alkalinity: 80 - 120 ppm (acts as a buffer to stabilise pH)

The weekly routine should focus on the Three C's: Circulation, Cleaning, and Chemistry.

Circulation:
Ideally your pool filter and pump should run 24/7 in the summer time dropping back to 2-4 hours per day in the winter (depending on your location).

Cleaning:

1. Skimming: Daily removal of floating leaves and debris from the surface.
2. Brushing: Weekly scrubbing of the walls, steps, and floor to prevent algae and calcium buildup.
3. Vacuuming: Weekly or bi-weekly removal of settled dirt and debris from the pool bottom.

Chemistry:
We recommend taking a weekly sample for a water analysis test during the summer, and using test strips to check in between if required. Then applying the necessary products to achieve optimal results.

Cloudy water is usually a sign of one or more issues: poor filtration, incorrect chemical balance, or low sanitiser (chlorine) levels. To fix it:

1. Test the Water: Ensure your pH and chlorine are within the ideal ranges.
2. Shock the Pool: Administer a shock dose of chlorine (ideally at night) to kill bacteria, algae, and break down organic contaminants.
3. Check the Filter: Leave pump and filter running continuously until the pool clears. Check that your filter pressure is within the normal operating range (backwash or clean the filter if the pressure is too high).

Ideally your filter will run constantly. If that is not possible you should run your filter long enough to ensure the entire volume of water turns over (circulates) at least once per day. As a general rule, running your pump for 8 to 12 hours daily is sufficient for most residential pools, especially during warmer weather or periods of high use. Consistent circulation is vital for spreading chemicals and filtering out debris.

If possible, take a water sample into a participating Mitre 10 for a full water analysis to help you clear up your green pool quickly. If you are unable to do this, then ensure the pH is at the lower end of the ideal range and run the pump and filter continuously until the green clears. If necessary, use a PoolStar floc to help remove dead algae and clarify the water.

Pools: Twice weekly in summer, weekly in cooler months.
Spa Pools: weekly.

At least once a week - and always after heavy use because small water volumes change fast.

Balanced water prevents corrosion, scaling and cloudy water, and lets sanitiser work more efficiently.

PoolStar Spa Bromine tablets release steadily at higher temps, reducing daily maintenance. Chlorine granules also work but need more frequent checks.

Add 2–3 times your normal daily chlorine - Poolstar Hichlor granules are ideal for this job.