For best operation, keep the pool water level in the center of the skimmer plate when pool is in use. Low water levels may cause the circulation pump to lose prime resulting in pump damage. High water levels reduce or eliminates the skimmers effectiveness.

Pool Surface Care

Cleaning the bathtub ring around your pool

The waterline ring (or bathtub ring) that forms around your pool near the waterline is caused by contaminants such as; airborne contaminants (dust, dirt, pollutants) oils, lotions and sunscreens worn by swimmers and even biological organisms that grow near the water surface.

These can usually be easily removed with a solution of warm water and aproved swimming pool surface cleaners available at many retailers. Never use abrasive cleaning chemicals or scrubbers like; scrubbing pads, steel wool, metal scrapers or brushes as they may cause permanent damage to the gel coat finish.

Be Sure To Keep Your Pool Filter Clean

Every pool filter is unique and therefore it makes it difficult to tell you what a normal pool filter pressure would be for your specific pool filter. You should consult your pool filter manual to determine the normal pressure range for your specific pool filter.

A general guideline would be to backwash your filter when the pressure gauge climbs 8-10 psi above the normal range and remains there. This will help your filter maintain optimum filtering performance keeping your pool water clean and clear of small particle debris!

Proper Chemical Ranges for Your Fibre-Shelkote Liner

(note: ppm = parts per million)

Your Pool Water Chemistry Balance is the perhaps the single most important part of your pool maintenance routine. Pool water that is not chemically stable will not only damage the pool equipment but will also ruin the interior finish of your Fibre-ShelkoteTM Liner.

Remember: Chemical Abuse of the Pool's Surface VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY

Here are some helpful tips to maintaining proper water chemistry:

Test water chemistry levels at least once a week
Always follow Fibre-Shelkote's directions for proper chemical levels
Never mix chemicals pool chemicals

Chlorine Residual (Free Available Chlorine FAC) – 1.0 to 3.0 ppm

Proper pH Level - 7.2 to 7.6

Total Alkalinity – 120to 150 ppm

Calcium Hardness – 175 to 250 ppm for chlorine

Cyanuric Acid (chlorine stabilizer) below 30 to 40 ppm

Metals – 0 ppm

Chemical Abuse of the Pool's Surface VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY

Chemical abuse is considered to be any chemical levels that do not fall within the recommended ranges specified throughout the Use and Care Guide for an extended period of time.

Problem Solving

Occasionally problems will occur. Your best approach is to bring a pool water sample to your local pool company for a complete water analysis. Below are some of the most common problems and their most likely solutions?

Cloudy Water

Probable Causes: Cloudy water is caused by any of, or a combination of the following conditions:

High pH.
Waste build-up.
Low chlorine level.
Early stages of algae growth.
Poor filtration or non-filterable particles.

Likely Solutions: Check pH and adjust to between 7.2 to 7.6 (Ideal 7.4 to 7.6), Add shock, Check filter system for proper operation and circulation

Green Water

Probable Causes: Most likely caused by algae growth.

Likely Solutions: Check and adjust pH and total alkalinity. Add shock, Follow up the next morning with a preventative dose of algaecide, If water does not start clearing in 24 hours, repeat treatment. Bring water sample to your local swimming pool company for a complete analysis.

Eye/Skin Irritation- Chlorine Odor

Probable Causes: Low pH and/or Total Alkalinity. Possible waste build-up and formation of chloramines.

Likely Solutions: Check and adjust the pH and Total Alkalinity. Shock swimming pool water.

Can’t Keep Chlorine Level Up

Probable Causes: Low stabilizer level and/or high chlorine demand from excess wastes in the pool water.

Likely Solutions: Take a pool water sample to your local swimming pool company for a complete water analysis. Make sure they test for stabilizer level and total dissolved solids and chlorine demand. Add chlorine stabilizer, other actions may also be required.

Metal Staining

What is a Metal Stain?

Metal staining can occur on your Fibre-Shelkote surface. Stains may show up on the pool’s surface as small or large colored "splotches" or as overall "plating." Staining may occur quite suddenly or slowly over a period of months or even years.

What Causes Metal Staining?

Colored stains can be caused by the following:

If the pool is filled or topped off with well water or even in some cases city water and a metal inhibitor product or Scale Inhibitor is not used while or after filling, minerals from the fill water can deposit on the surface of the pool and result in staining. Most fill water contains trace to measurable amounts of metals. These metals are completely dissolved in water and in most cases are not visible. The most common metals present in fill water are iron, copper, and manganese. The metal content usually depends on your source of fill water. Iron stains appear reddish or light brown, Copper will be green or blue and Manganese is black.
If chlorine levels get extremely high such as after shocking the pool, and metals are present in the water they may be forced out of solution (water) and deposit on the surface of the pool (as a stain).
If pH and total alkalinity are not kept in proper range and the water becomes acidic (corrosive), water running through the heater could bring copper from the heat exchanger into the pool.
Raising the pH and total alkalinity too quickly, and if metals are present in the water they may be forced out of solution (water) and deposit on the surface of the pool (as a stain).
Additions of metal based algaecides, or any other metal contaminants such as coins or metal shavings from the job site.

Stain Prevention

The first line of defense is to always ensure that your chemical levels are in proper range:

A Metal Inhibitor product or Scale Inhibitor should be added after filling or topping off the pool water level, or after heavy rains.

Untreated water may stain your Fibre-Shelkote surface. For prevention use a Metal Inhibitor product or Scale Inhibitor. Follow manufacturer’s label directions for proper application.

NOTE: In many cases depending on the chemical manufacturer, there are different chemical product formulations for either prevention or removal. Make sure you are purchasing the best type of product for your needs. Consult East Coast Pools, Inc. or your local swimming pool company for additional information.

Stain Removal

How do I know if the Stain is removable?

Get a small sample of pH lower (dry acid) and put in a white sock or use a couple of Vitamin C tablets. Place the powder or tablet directly over a small stain with the pool pump off. If the stain around the test area is removed within a couple hours, this indicates that the stain will likely respond to a Stain Removal product.

Follow label directions for Stain removal treatment amounts for existing stains. If possible, identify source of staining and follow prevention guidelines. After stains are gone, use a Metal Inhibitor product or Scale Inhibitor on a regular basis following manufacturer’s directions (especially after refilling, topping off, or heavy rains). Slowly bring chlorine level up to proper range (1.0 to 3.0 ppm). High chlorine levels or shocking the pool immediately after treatment may re-stain the surface.

There are also other possible causes for stains, such as stains caused by organics from plants and leaves. Such stains require a different treatment. Consult your local swimming pool company for further solutions.

In our experience ~ the most successful stain removing agents we have found over the years have come from our friends at Jack's Magic.