Important: In order to avoid immediate staining, make sure any Marcite Finished pools cure at least 90 days before your Power Ionizer System is used.
Water Management:
- If your water contains iron, it must be removed before you start your Ionizer. This can be accomplished by adding a metal remover, which is available from your local pool dealer. It should be circulated in the water for approximately 48 hours. Your filter system should then be cleaned or back washed. Turn your Power Ionizer System “Off” until the iron is removed from your water.
- Please test and balance the levels of your pool water
Ideal Range pH 7.2-7.8 Total Alkalinity 80-140 ppm Calcium Hardness 200-350 ppm Total Dissolved Solids 1,000-2,000 ppm Note: Balance your calcium hardness first, if necessary. Then the Total alkalinity should be adjusted before adjusting the pH. *More details on the chemicals required to adjust your levels will be found in Water Management and Troubleshooting.
Note: Stabilizer is not needed, and may, at high levels, cause purple stain with high levels of copper in the water.
Note: Failure to maintain adequate water balances could result in copper precipitating from the water and the possible staining of your pool.
If the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in the water is less than 1,000 ppm, it will be difficult to build up a copper residual. The TDS can be raised by adding sodium chloride (pure salt) or water softener salt to the water. One pound (1 lb.) of sodium chloride will raise the TDS by 12 ppm in 10,000 gallons of water. *Please note, fresh city water has a typical TDS level of 400-800 ppm, while some well water with high calcium levels could run well over 1,200 ppm.
- Shock your pool water with one pound (1 lb.) of Rebound per 10,000 gallons (alternative shock treatments are SodiumDi-Chlor or Lithium Hypochlorite). You must maintain a chlorine residual of 1.0 to 3.0 ppm in your pool water for 2 to 3 days (the time generally required to reach the adequate ion residual level in your pool). Chlorine levels can be maintained with slow dissolving chlorine tablets (read manufacturer’s instructions for proper use). It is only necessary to maintain a chlorine residual until your ion residual reaches 0.3 to 0.5 ppm.
- Your Filtration System should be in operation through the water balancing process. The self-contained flow switch, on your Power Ionizer System, will activate the unit automatically once power and water flow are achieved. At this point in time, adjust your Power Ionizer Level Control Knob to high (the “System Activated” light signifies operation). We recommend continuous water circulation or filter operation to speed the residual building process.
Note: It is important to check your copper level daily. You may be quite surprised to find that it may only take a few days to build the residual with ideal conditions. - Check the copper residual daily until it has reached between0.3 -0.5 ppm. this should take approximately 2-3 days. Once the recommended copper residual has been reached, you will need to carefully monitor the level setting on the Power Ionizer. Each pool has its own personality based upon usage and environment. Set your daily pump runtime to the number of hours as recommended by your pool dealer. Continue to check your copper level every second day. If it continues to rise, turn the Power Ion Level control Knob down. If it starts to drop below 0.3, turn the Power Ion Control knob up. Once your copper residual has stabilized between 0.3 -0.5 ppm, you can revert to testing your water on a weekly basis. It is no longer necessary to maintain a chlorine residual.Note: Adjustment to your Power Ion Level Control Knob will increase or decrease the residual level in your pool in conjunction with the length of your filtration cycle. For a longer filtration cycle, lower your Ion Level Control Knob. for a shorter cycle, turn up your Power Ion Level control Knob.Water Testing and Oxidizing
- Your Power Ionizer System is introducing copper and silver into your pool water which will kill bacteria, viruses, algae, etc. However, it cannot remove the dead organisms and bather wastes which accumulate in the pool water. This is done by oxidizing or shocking on a weekly basis. Your water balance is also very important and these parameters should also be checked and adjusted, if required, on a weekly basis. Be sure that your pump is still going to run for a few hours after you balance and oxidize your water.
- As previously mentioned, shock or oxidize your pool water weekly. Note: Under normal conditions, oxidizing is required once a week. However, if your pool is heavily used and the temperature becomes very hot or if you get a severe rainstorm, you may have to oxidize more frequently. The first signs of a need to oxidize are the water losing its sparkle and/or an oily film developing on the surface of the water. Use a Clarifier or an algaecide as needed.
Note: If the copper residual gets excessively high, turn the Power Ion Level Control Knob setting on your Power Ion System to “Off” immediately. Ensure that the water balance parameters are in check and allow the copper residual to come down on its own. A black water line in vinyl liner pools will normally denote high copper levels.
Note: The electrode bars are eroding while the Power Ionizer is used. Once you achieve the desired copper level and control setting, over time you will need to increase that setting slightly to maintain that same copper level. Eventually, you will have to set the control at “Maximum” and, once the bars have eroded to the point that they are no longer effective, your “Service” indicator will come on. At that point, you will need to change your Power Ionizer Replacement Chamber.