• Turn pump off. Make sure that your skimmer and pump strainer baskets are clean.  You will vacuum though the skimmer closest to the pump and filter.
• If you have a main drain, it should be closed to afford maximum suction through the skimmer. Turn valve to shut off the main drain and far skimmer(s).
• Turn on your pump and check your skimmer for water movement to ensure strong suction.
• Stretch out your vacuum hose along the side of your pool. Snap the vacuum head into the end of the vacuum pole. Slip one end of the vacuum hose onto the vacuum head. If you have a swivel cuff on your vacuum hose, make sure the swivel end goes onto the vacuum head.
• Prime the hose. Place the vacuum head (with the hose and pole attached) into the pool. Place the hose end (you have in your hand), against the return fitting and allow the water to “blowout” or displace the air in the vacuum hose. The vacuum head will rise and bubble. When it has settled to the bottom of the pool, cup your hand over the vacuum hose and carry it to the skimmer closest to the pump and filter.
• Place the skim vacuum plate on the end of the hose. Bring the hose over the coping and place it directly on the skimmer basket. Begin vacuuming!
• Move the vacuum head slowly. If the vacuum head is moved too rapidly it will stir up sediment and your results will be less than satisfactory when the dirt has settled requiring a second vacuum.
• When completed turn off the filter.  Disconnect, remove and drain hose before storing. Return valves to their normal operating positions.  Restart filter and check pressure gauge to see if the filter needs to be back washed.

• Do not lift the vacuum head out of the water or you will lose your prime.
• Disregard your filter pressure reading it usually drops while vacuuming.
• Disregard air in your pump basket.
• Check skimmer basket periodically if the pool has a lot of leaves or other debris in it.
• Backwash the filter if the pool is very dirty, and emptying the skimmer basket does not restore suction.
• If suction is too strong, adjust the valves to slightly open the other suction lines.

• Fill your skimmer basket with 3-5 Bioguard Silk Smart Sticks, or your cholinator with 6-7 Bioguard Silk Tabs each week.  Test your pool water twice a week.  If your test indicates a low chlorine level, increase the number of Smart Sticks in your skimmer or turn up your chlorinator.  If your test indicates a high chlorine level, decrease the number of Smart Sticks or turn down your chlorinator.  Bather load, rainfall and sun exposure will affect the amount of chlorine your pool will require.
• Shock your pool at least once a week, twice per week when it is very hot or the bather load is high. You should add one pound of granular shock or one gallon of liquid shock for every 12,000 gallons of pool water.  It is best to shock your pool in the evening, as the sun burns off the chlorine.
• Algaecide should be added once per week as a preventative measure. Follow the instructions on the bottle for the “maintenance” dose.
• It’s easier to avoid getting algae than killing off an algae bloom during July and August’s hot sunny days!

• Skimmer Water Level: Ensure that the pool’s water level is halfway up the skimmer faceplate. This is the normal operating level.
• Skimmer Basket / Throat: Keep the skimmer basket clean and make sure the skimmer throat is not obstructed.
• Pump Strainer: Open pump to ascertain basket is clean, intact and seated properly. Never operate your pump without water or the strainer basket in the pump. Before closing, fill the pump housing with water. Replace the housing cover, making sure the gasket is in position so no dirt or grit will prevent a tight seal.
• Filter Pressure Gauge: When starting the pump, it may take a short time for the filter pressure to normalize due to the presence of air in the suction lines. By opening the air bleeder valve located on the top of your filter to expel the air more rapidly. When the air has been expelled, the pressure gauge reading should be 10-15 psi on most filters (15-20 psi on systems with heaters).
• Diatomaceous Earth Filters: Do not operate your DE filter longer than one minute without adding DE. Add DE to the skimmer closest to the pump  once the water comes out of the returns in a steady stream. Add the DE slowly to the skimmer, or premix the DE in a bucket of water and then add it to the skimmer.

• Test – your pool water twice a week.
• Shock – your pool at least once a week, twice per week when it is very hot, or the bather load is high.
• Algaecide – should be added once per week as a preventative measure.  It is less expensive to add product weekly than it is to clear up a green pool when it occurs.
• pH – needs to be checked twice a week and maintained within 7.2 to 7.6 on your test strip. If your Total Alkalinity is not above 100 PPM your pH will have a tendency to drift, so always adjust Total Alkalinity first then retest and adjust pH if needed.
• We suggest that you have your pool water tested professionally twice per month and immediately after opening, and prior to closing your pool.
• Preventative maintenance costs less than clearing up your pool after it has turned green!

*6-8 hours between adjustments of 15 points each.

• Always add chemicals in a manner consistent with the manufacturer’s procedures as listed on the bottle / package.
• Check regularly to be sure all o-rings, gaskets, and connections are clean, tight, and sealed to ensure good suction and water flow. All o-rings should be lubricated with a silicone-based lubricant.