| Total Dissolved Solids- (TDS) is a measurement of the total
amount of matter (minerals, chemical residue, and other particles) that
remains in water. The primary contributing factor that leads to TDS is
evaporation. As water evaporates, only the water itself evaporates.
Minerals, chemical residue, and other particles are left behind and
remain in the pool water. With evaporation, you need to continually add
water. As you add tap water up to the standard operating water level
(half way up the skimmer), you are also adding additional minerals and
particles. Although these minerals and other particles from tap water do
add to the TDS reading, it is extremely minimal. The biggest factor is
that this new tap water will soon be introduced to chemicals. It is the
chemical residue that is not filtered and remains in the pool water that
has the greatest effect on increasing TDS. Whenever chemicals are added,
the TDS reading will increase.
The process of evaporation is continuous. As water evaporates, matter
within it is left behind and will remain in the water. Eventually, this
matter that remains in the pool water will act as a sponge, consuming
your new chemicals, rendering them virtually ineffective. It will take
many years (approximately 6-8 years) for the TDS reading to become so
high that it will consume your chemicals before they can engage in their
intended purpose; 6-8 years is a guideline only. Click
HERE for a
TDS chart.
There is no chemical that can lower the TDS reading into an ideal
range. Rather, a TDS reading can only be lowered by draining your pool,
either partially or completely, and adding fresh water. If it has been
some time since your pool was last drained and cleaned, there are certain
indicators that may tell you that your TDS reading has probably reached
or surpassed its maximum parameters:
- Continual addition of excess chemicals.
- Water chemistry tests fine, but water is still not clean, clear,
blue and sparkling. Various water chemistry problems include:
- Colored yet clear water (the water has an odd tint, but you can
still see the pool floor).
- Algae growth despite a good chlorine (or its alternative) reading
and proper overall water chemistry (pH and Alkalinity).
- Varying and false readings on chemical tests.
If any of these are the case with your pool, or if other water
chemistry issues arise, despite the continual testing and addition of
chemicals, the TDS reading has either met or exceeded the maximum. Again,
you can only lower TDS by draining the pool, either partially or
completely. Poolmanual.com recommends that you contract your local pool
professionals and pay them to perform a drain and clean, it really is
more of an investment than a service call.
Sola Products -
www.solaaqua.co.uk
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