POOL.INST.41 Palintest INSTRUMENTS Pooltest Professional Plus TEST INSTRUCTIONS 9 FOR USE WITH PALINTEST POOLTEST 9 SERIES PHOTOMETERS Palintest Pooltest 9 Professional Plus series photometers are precision colorimeter instruments specially developed for testing swimming pool water. These instructions give the procedures for the tests included on your photometer and will help you get the best results from the instrument. GETTING THE BEST RESULTS To get the best results from the photometer follow these simple guidelines :- 1 Carefully read the instructions for using the photometer and understand the operation of the instrument. 2 Read the test instructions carefully and carry out the procedures precisely as instructed. 3 Add the tablets to the sample in the manner described in the instructions. Crush or allow to disintegrate as indicated. Use a separate crushing rod for each tube. Do not shake the test tubes in order to dissolve the tablets. 4 Place cap on the test tube when the tablets have dissolved before taking test reading. For most tests, it does not matter if a few small undissolved particles remain, provided these have settled to the bottom of the tube. 5 Before taking photometer readings ensure that the outside of the tube is clean and dry. Use a tissue if necessary to wipe off any water drips or condensation. 6 Wash test tubes, caps and crushing rods thoroughly under a running tap after use. Brush off any stains or deposits. Dry on a clean cloth or rinse with deionised water before re-use. 7 Replace any test tubes which become scratched or permanently stained. 8 Use the light cap when working out of doors in strong sunlight. SP 790
SAMPLE COLLECTION Take pool water samples from below the water surface. Collect in a clean plastic bottle and fill to the neck so as to avoid unnecessary airspace. The free chlorine, bromine or ozone levels may drop during sample storage. Other parameters such as ph and alkalinity can also change. Samples should therefore be tested as soon as possible after sample collection. DILUTING THE POOL WATER SAMPLE When the test result is outside the concentration range of the test, the photometer will display the > > symbol. In such cases, it is necessary to dilute the pool water and repeat the test. If the result is close to the top of the scale (eg chlorine above 4 mg/l on Chlorine-Free/5 or Chlorine-Total/5 range, calcium hardness above 300 mg/l or cyanuric acid above 150 mg/l) and a more accurate result is required, a dilution may be used to increase the sensitivity of the test :- 1 Take a Dilution Tube (PT 512) and fill to the x2 mark with pool water. Make-up to the Deionised Water mark with deionised water. Replace the tube cap and mix. 2 Carry out the test on the diluted sample in a 10 ml test tube as per the normal test instructions. 3 Take the photometer reading in the normal manner. 4 Multiply the test result display be x2 to find the concentration in the original pool water sample. Samples may be diluted to a greater extent if necessary. Use the dilution factor appropriate to the dilution used. Note that it is not possible to dilute samples in the ph test, or when working in transmittance. Note the Chlorine/10 range may be used with the appropriate DPD-XF and DPD-XT tablets to avoid sample dilution. TEST INSTRUCTIONS Two ranges are available for free and total chlorine testing: 0 5 ppm with traditional DPD No 1 and DPD No 3 tablets OR 0 10 ppm with new DPD-XF and DPD-XT tablets. Use the SYSTEM MODE to select the range required. Once selected, the instrument will recall the range selection each time it is used.
Test 1 FREE CHLORINE Option 1: Range 0-5.00 mg/l (ppm) Colourless - Red 1 Rinse test tube with sample leaving two or three drops in the tube. 2 Add one DPD No 1 tablet, crush tablet and then fill the test tube with sample to the 10 ml mark. Mix to dissolve tablet and ensure any remaining particles have settled. 3 Take photometer reading immediately, as result may drift on standing. Ensure display shows the Chlorine-Free/5 test is selected. 4 Retain test solution if Total Chlorine test required. Test 1 FREE CHLORINE Option 2: Range 0-10.0 mg/l (ppm) Colourless - Red 1 Rinse test tube with sample leaving two or three drops in the tube. 2 Add one DPD-XF tablet, crush tablet and then fill the test tube with sample to the 10 ml mark. Mix to dissolve tablet and ensure any remaining particles have settled. 3 Take photometer reading immediately, as result may drift on standing. Ensure the display shows the Chlorine-Free/10 test is selected. 4 Retain test solution if Total Chlorine test required. Test 2 TOTAL CHLORINE Option 1: Range 0-5.00 mg/l (ppm) Colourless - Red 1 Carry out this test on the solution remaining from the Free Chlorine test. 2 If any shock treatment chemicals have been added to the pool, add one DPD Oxystop tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. Stand for one minute before proceeding. This will prevent a response caused by the shock treatment chemicals. 3 Add one DPD No 3 tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. 4 Stand for two minutes. 5 Take photometer reading. Ensure the display shows Chlorine-Total/5 test is selected. Test 2 TOTAL CHLORINE Option 2: Range 0-10.0 mg/l (ppm) Colourless - Red 1 Carry out this test on the solution remaining from the Free Chlorine test. 2 If any shock treatment chemicals have been added to the pool, add one DPD Oxystop tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. Stand for one minute before proceeding. This will prevent a response caused by the shock treatment chemicals. 3 Add one DPD-XT tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. 4 Stand for two minutes. 5 Take photometer reading. Ensure display shows the Chlorine-Total/10 test is selected. To obtain COMBINED CHLORINE residual subtract Free Chlorine result from Total Chlorine result :- ie Combined Chlorine = Total Chlorine - Free Chlorine
Test 3 BROMINE Range 0-10.00 mg/l (ppm) Colourless - Red 1 Rinse test tube with sample leaving two to three drops in the tube. 2 Add one DPD No1 tablet, crush tablet and then fill the test tube with sample to the 10 ml mark. Mix to dissolve tablet and ensure any remaining particles have settled. 3 Take photometer reading immediately, as result may drift on standing. Test 4 OZONE Range 0-2.00 mg/l (ppm) Colourless - Red 1 Rinse test tube with sample leaving two to three drops in the tube. 2 Add one DPD No 4 tablet, crush tablet and then fill the test tube with sample to the 10 ml mark. Mix to dissolve tablet and ensure any remaining particles have settled. 3 Take photometer reading immediately. The ozone test also responds to chlorine and bromine. Pools using 'ozone with chlorine' treatment systems, or other combined treatments, require a special testing procedure. See separate leaflet. Test 5 COPPER Range 0-5.00 mg/l (ppm) Colourless - Purple FREE COPPER Use this test for pools treated by copper/silver ion generators or treated with uncomplexed forms of copper such as copper sulphate. 2 Add one COPPERCOL No 1 tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. 3 Take photometer reading. TOTAL COPPER Use this test for pools treated with chelated or complexed forms of copper. Typically these compounds are used as algicides or winterising treatments. 2 Add one COPPERCOL No 1 tablet and one COPPERCOL No 2 tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. 3 Take photometer reading.
Test 6 ph VALUE Range 6.8-8.4 Yellow - Red 2 Add one PHENOL RED tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. 3 Take photometer reading. Test 7 ALKALINITY Range 0-500 mg/l (ppm) Yellow - Green - Blue 1 Fill test tube with sample to the 10ml mark. 2 Add one ALKAPHOT tablet, crush thoroughly and mix. Ensure all of the particles have dissolved completely. 3 Allow to stand for one minute. 4 Take photometer reading. Test 8 CALCIUM HARDNESS Range 0-500 mg/l (ppm) Violet - Orange Use Test 8 for fresh water swimming pools. Press key twice within two seconds to access Test 88 for saltwater pools. 2 Add one CALCICOL No 1 tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. 3 Add one CALCICOL No 2 tablet, crush and mix to dissolve. 4 Stand for two minutes. 5 Take photometer reading. Test 9 CYANURIC ACID Range 0-200 mg/l (ppm) Clear - Cloudy Use this test for chlorine-treated pools stabilized with cyanuric acid or using 'stabilised chlorine' donors. Cyanuric acid is commonly referred to as 'Chlorine Stabiliser' or 'Pool Conditioner'. 2 Add one CYANURIC ACID tablet and allow to disintegrate for at least two minutes. A cloudy solution indicates the presence of cyanuric acid. 3 Crush any remaining undissolved tablet, mix and then take photometer reading. Use the light cap whilst blanking and taking reading. It is recommended that the light cap is used when carrying out this test under strong or variable lighting conditions.
Test 77 WATER BALANCE To determine Water Balance Index using the Pooltest 9 Professional Plus, three tests must be prepared and read using the Water balance test program : Alkalinity (Alkaphot), Calcium Hardness (Calcicol) and ph (Phenol Red) tests are required. Prepare the test solutions and proceed as follows :- 1 Select Test 77 by pressing Alkalinity key twice. 2 Carry out alkalinity test then select Follow on from the OPTIONS menu at the results screen. 3 Carry out the calcium hardness test then select Follow-on from the OPTIONS menu at the results screen. 4 Carry out the ph test then select Follow-on from the OPTIONS menu at the results screen. 5 The Water Balance Index is calculated and is displayed. Consult the chart below for guidance. NOTE: If any of the tests are out of range, the procedure is ended. If an incorrect reading is taken part-way through the procedure, insert the correct tube then select Read from the OPTIONS menu. The new reading will replace the former incorrect value in the Water Balance Calculation: Index Below 9.6 Water Balance Condition Highly Corrosive 9.6 to 10.5 Corrosive Recommendation Increase ph to 7.5-7.8. Increase Calcium Hardness to at least 50 mg/l. Increase Total Alkalinity to 100 mg/l or higher as necessary. Retest Water Balance. 10.6 to 10.9 Acceptable Balance Retest water regularly. 11.0 to 11.2 Ideal Balance No action required. 11. 3 to 11.6 Acceptable Balance Retest water regularly. 11. 7 to 12.6 Scale Forming Above 12.6 Highly Scale Forming Decrease ph to 7.2-7.5. Decrease Total Alkalinity to 150 mg/l or lower as necessary. Retest Water Balance. NOTES 1 The test has been calculated for an average heated swimming pool (82 F, 28 C). For unheated swimming pools, subtract 0.1 from the index value obtained, for high temperature pools and spas, add 0.1 to the index value obtained. 2 Always keep the ph, Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness levels within the limits recommended in pool operating instructions and chemical suppliers' recommendations. Seek specialist advice if corrosion or scale formation is still apparent even though the water is shown to be in a balanced condition.
REORDER CODES FOR REPLACEMENT REAGENTS Replacement reagents for each of the tests are available under the following product codes - packs contain sufficient tablets for 250 tests :- AP 011 AP 031 AP 013 AP 033 AP 060 AP 056 AP 187 AP 186 AP 130 AP 188 AP 252 AP 087 Free Chlorine Free, Combined and Total Chlorine Free Chlorine (DPD-XF) Free, Combined and Total Chlorine (DPD-XF and DPD-XT) Bromine Ozone Free Copper Free and Total Copper ph (Phenol Red) Alkalinity (Alkaphot) Calcium Hardness (Calcicol) Cyanuric Acid PT 595/5 Replacement Photometer Test Tubes (Pack of 5) V4-03/09