At Rosco's Pool Service we often get asked similar questions by our clients. In order to save you time and money we have identified several of the most common questions that we get asked and answered them below to assist you with troubleshooting.

If you can't find the answer to your question or need any assistance feel free to contact us.

Lack of chlorine and/or lack of circulation.
The correct amount of chlorine stabilizer (cyanuric acid) must be used. The filtration must be running for at least 6 hours per day during winter, and 8 hours per day in summer.
Blackspot often grows in areas of poor circulation such as corners, steps and beach entrances

Causes of low chlorine

Chlorine Pools - must have the correct amount of chlorine added each evening
Saltwater pools - Insufficient salt will cause low chlorine
If the chlorinator cell needs cleaning, chlorine will be low
Insufficient running hours will cause low chlorine
Breakdown of chlorinator - no chlorine
Blackspot algae will burn up chlorine very quickly

A cloudy pool is the first sign of a pool turning green, so any of the above reasons could apply.
Minute particles of dust
Calcium from granular pool chlorine

Natural evaporation is between 2-5 cm per week, depending on how hot and windy it is. If the loss is greater than this you need to call us at Rosco’s Pool Service.

If algae is not treated and becomes established over weeks or months a root system establishes itself into the pool surface. Like any plant when the conditions are ideal (warm water and low chlorine) it grows and becomes visible. It can be seen either as small black spots or creeping between the tiles or pebble.

If you have persistent blackspot algae, where it either comes back straight away, or never really clears, your pool water is probably high in Phosphates, or your pool needs more regular attention.

If algae is not treated and becomes established over weeks or months a root system establishes itself into the pool surface. Like any plant when the conditions are ideal (warm water and low chlorine) it grows and becomes visible. It can be seen either as small black spots or creeping between the tiles or pebble.

The most important time to balance your pool water is as soon as possible after heavy rain. Chlorine pools should be checked daily. Saltwater pools should be balanced fortnightly during summer, monthly during winter.

Run everything as normal, and re-balance the pool as soon as possible after the rain stops.
It is a fallacy that if you turn everything off, the fresh water will float on top, therefore only the rain water will be drained off, the theory being that salt water is heavier than fresh water. We strongly recommend that you don't try this.

If you must, turn off the chlorinator and use only liquid chlorine. If you run the chlorinator for long periods on low salt levels you will damage the cell, shortening it's life span, and at several hundreds of dollars to replace, is not a good idea.

This practice will not save you much money, and will cause many problems. You still have to add the salt at some stage, and meanwhile add expensive chlorine on a daily basis.

If you have a filter with a backwash valve it is simple. Turn the valve handle to "waste" until the required level is reached. Do not move the handle while the filtration is running, turn the power off before moving the handle, and back on after, or you will damage the backwash valve gasket causing it to leak.

Do not waste water on "backwash" as this will cause damage to your filter.

If you have a cartridge filter then water can be siphoned out with your garden or vacuum hose.

In saltwater pools use only liquid chlorine to 'super chlorinate.' Granular Pool chlorine leaves a residual of calcium behind which is the white substance that regularly needs to be cleaned off the chlorinator cell electrodes. Large doses of calcium chlorine will cause cloudiness.

Phone: 0438 542 298
Email: info@roscos.com.au