Blue Horizon Pool & Spa Co.

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NORMAL POOL MODE OPERATION  


Below find a general pictorial diagram of for a quick reference guide:

Pool Only

Pool with Spa

The normal circulation of your pool requires that water be taken from the pool, pushed through the filtration system and returned to the pool.

The suction side of your pool only consist of two (2) skimmers and two (2) main drains (Pools with Spas, have two (2) spa drains). In the normal cycle, water is removed from the two (2) skimmers and the pool drains only. This is accomplished by having all 2-way valves open on the suction side and the 3-way valve positioned as shown in the diagrams above. Water is pushed through the filtration system and returned to the pool. In Pool with Spa, a spa fountain line is provided on the pool return line for water to be returned to the spa also.

The spa fountain line has two (2) purposes:

A.         Provide chemically treated water into spa.

B.         Provide an ambiance to the pool/spa area.

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PUMP OPERATION

To Service The Pump:

A.  Turn “off’ pump.

B.  Relieve pressure in the system.

C.  Turn the clamp and lid in a counter-clockwise direction until it stops.

D.  Remove basket and all debris. If the basket is cracked, it should be replaced.

E.  Replace basket and fill the pump pot and volute up to the inlet port with water.

F.  Clean the cover, cover 0-ring and sealing surface of the pump pot. Periodically grease the 0-ring with a Teflon or silicone lubricate.

G.  Reinstall the lid by placing the clamp and the lid on the pot. Make sure the lid 0-ring is properly placed. Seat the clamp and lid then turn clockwise until the handles are horizontal.

H.  Turn “on” pump.

I.   Open the manual air relief valve on top of the filter

J.   Bleed air from the filter until a steady stream of water comes out. Close the manual air relief valve  

If water does not circulate, repeat steps A. through G. making sure pump lid is seated snugly. And check that the water in pool is at proper level and all valves are in proper position.

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FILTER OPERATION

To operate and maintain your diatomaceous earth IDE) pool filter, follow these instructions:

When your pool is initially filled, the filter will require frequent backwashing until the plaster curing process is completed and the water is sparkling clear. Your normal operating pressure (Normal Operating Pressure) for your filter is           . Backwash filter when the pressure gauge increases 5 lbs psi or greater than the Normal Operating Pressure.

INITIAL START-UP

A.  Move valve handle to filter position.

B.  Check the pump strainer pot to be sure it is full of water.

C.  Replace pump lid.

D.  Open-air bleeder valve on the filter top.

** WARNING **

Air entering filter and/or the filter unit not closed correctly can cause the tank top to blow off and could cause severe bodily injury and/or property damage.

E.  Open all pool suction and return line valves. Stand clear of filter during the following operations.

F.  Turn “on” pump. The tank will fill with water and expel air from the air bleeder. Close the air bleeder screw only after a steady stream of water comes out.

G.  Remove the “near” skimmer lid.

H.  Put the recommended amount of diatomaceous earth (DE) into a bucket and add water. Continue to mix until a thick liquid is produced (similar in texture to pancake batter).

I.   Pour slowly in the “near” skimmer. The DE will be drawn into the filter and deposited evenly upon the grid elements.

J.  Now the filter is setup for maximum efficiency.

NOTE:    Do not operate filter without DE for more than two minutes. Do not use more than the recommended amount of DE in your filter.

D.E. RECOMMENDATION

The amount of DE should be 1 pound for each 5 square feet of filter area or:

FILTER MODEL 

POUNDS OF D.E.

24 Sq. Ft.

4 to 5— 1 pound coffee cans

36 Sq. Ft.

6 to 7— 1 pound coffee cans

48 Sq. Ft.

8 to 10— 1 pound coffee cans

60 Sq. Ft.

10 to 12 — 1 pound coffee cans

72 Sq. Ft.

12 to 14 — 1 pound coffee cans

K.  On a new pool installation, it will require approximately one week to obtain and maintain the water clarity of which your filter is capable. It is recommended to backwash the filter after initial pool clean up (approximately 48 hours of operation).

L.  Be sure to note the operating pressure of the filter when it is clean and properly charged with DE. As the filter removes dirt from the pool, the pressure will gradually increase. As a guide, when the pressure has increased 5 psi from the initial reading, it is time to backwash the filter (approximately every 4 to 6 weeks).

Alternately, another method for determining when to backwash the filter is by judging a drop in the amount of water flowing from the filter by observing the flow from the inlet fittings in the wall of the pool or the height of the spa fountain. As a general rule, backwashing is needed when the flow rate becomes about 2/3 the rate when the filter is clean.

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FILTER BACKWASH PROCEDURE

CAUTION:       To prevent equipment damage and possible injury, turn “off” pump before changing valve position.

NOTICE:          When backwashing with a separation tank, see special instructions (Page 61).

Two Position Slide Valve

 

To Backwash Filter:

A.  Turn “off” pump.

B.  Open all pool suction valves to allow for free flow of water.

C.  Change backwash handle into backwash position.

1.  If using Two-Position Slide Valve, raise handle to fully extended position.

2.  If using Full Flow or Multi-port Valve, set to backwash position.

D.  Stand clear of filter.

E.  Turn “on” pump. This will circulate water backwards through the filter to flush DE cake and contaminants into the waste or the separation tank.

F.  If system has a sight glass, backwash until water in glass runs clear (25 to 30 seconds).

G.  If system does not have a sight glass:

1.  Backwash 25 to 30 seconds.

2.  Turn “off” pump.

3.  Change backwash valve handle into filter position.

4.  Stand clear of filter.

5.  Turn “on” pump and run for another 25 to 30 seconds.

H.  Repeat steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 five times. Cycling is effective means to break up and flush out caked DE and contaminants from the filter.

I.   Turn “off” pump.

J.   Open air bleeder screw and release all pressure from tank and system.

K.  Follow “Initial Start-Up procedure” above to restart system.

L.  Compare pressure reading on filter gauge with reading recorded after initial start-up. The two readings should be very close; if not, breakdown the filter and perform a manual filter clean procedure.

NOTE:  Do not operate filter without DE for more than two minutes. Do not use more than the recommended amount of DE in your filter.  

Do not vacuum pool while backwashing filter. This will place debris inside the filter grids.  

The backwash procedure, at best, will only purge approximately 65% to 70% of the DE from the filter. The manufacturer recommends the filter be broken down and manually cleaned every 6 months to ensure proper filtration and water circulation. One of our service technicians can do this for you or show you how to do it the first time. The internal filter grids and parts are fragile and if handled incorrectly can be damaged beyond repair.

SEPARATION TANK (if applicable)

To Backwash Filter With Separation Tank:

A.  Turn “off’ pump.

B.  Set handle on backwash valve to backwash position.

C.  Turn “on” pump and open air relief valve on separation tank lid, until air is expelled.

D.  When water in sight glass is clear, turn off pump.

E.  Set handle on backwash valve to filter position.

F.  Open drain valve and air relief valve on separation tank to allow water to drain.

G.  After draining, open lid clamp, remove lid and dirty bag. Empty the waste in trash and then rinse bag clean.

H.  Replace bag, 0-ring, lid, and clamp.

I.   Open drain valve and close return valve.

J.   Follow “Initial Start-Up Procedure” above to restart system.

K.  Compare pressure reading on filter gauge with reading recorded after initial start-up. The two readings should be very close; if not, breakdown of the filter and a manual filter clean procedure is required.

NOTE:      Air relief valve should remain open at all times unless backwashing.

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TIME CLOCK

The main circulation pump is wired directly to a automated system or through a mechanical time clock which can be set to turn on and off at specific times every day. The clock can be set by first adjusting the clock to correspond with the proper time and then setting the on and off times for the automated system or adding the on and off trippers (to start and stop the pump - silver tripper and black tripper, respectively).

The secondary pump motor used for the automatic pool cleaner is controlled by the automated system or its own time clock. Since this pump is fed by water from the main circulation pump, It should not turn on unless the main pump is on and in pool mode. Therefore, when setting the on and off times, be sure to set it to come on no sooner than one hour after the main pump is activated. Set it to turn off no later than one hour before the main pump is set to go off. The size of your pool, the foliage around your pool and the time of year will dictate the total number of hours that you will need to run your pool sweep (cleaner pump) on a daily basis.

SUGGESTED TIME CLOCK SETTINGS AND HOURS FOR A 15,000 TO 20,000 GALLON POOL:

Summer:

Hours (Time Range)

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Main Pump

8 - 10 hours

Cleaner Pump

1 - 4 hours

Note:   In the summer months, algae growth is the primary concern and you want your pool circulating and the chemicals moving around when the sun is out and the water temperature is high.

Winter: Hours (Time Range) 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM
Main Pump 5- 7 hours
Cleaner Pump 1 - 4 hours

Note:   In the winter months, the possibility of freeze damage is the primary concern and you want your pool circulating when the temperatures are the coldest. Algae grows very slow when the sun does not erode the chemicals as quickly and the water temperature is colder.

NOTE:  Do not operate cleaner while spa is operating. The cleaner pump will be starved of water and may burn up. This is not covered under your warranty.  

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AUTOMATIC COMPUTER CONTROL

AquaLink RS Control

OneTouch Control

The AquaLink RS OneTouch brings a new level of simplicity, convenience and flexibility from indoors to your swimming pool and spa automation.

With automatic control of heating, lighting, water features and more you will be able to sit back and enjoy your backyard paradise. With customized programming of unlimited on/off times and activation of multiple pieces of equipment you are able to manage your backyard environment with ease.

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FREEZE GUARD

The freeze guard is a safety system that is integrated with your control system to help prevent freeze damage to your pool and pool equipment. It is automatically activated when ambient air temperatures approach freezing, turning on the main circulation pump. The water circulating through the equipment helps prevent freezing of exposed equipment and the resulting damage caused by freezing.

Since ambient temperatures activate the freeze guard, the equipment will be under its control until the temperature rises to acceptable levels. The freeze guard is preset at the manufacturing plant and should not be adjusted by anyone but one of our service technicians.

NOTE: The freeze guard safety system turns on the main circulation pump. Be sure that all skimmer baskets and pump baskets are clean, pool filter backwashed, and water in pool is at the proper level. Otherwise, freezing conditions with poor water flow can still damage the pool and equipment.

At times your system could be running for extended periods/days, depending upon weather conditions. These extended periods will not harm the motor.

When temperatures get down in the low teens and lower, the freeze guard may not be enough protection. For added protections in reducing the chance of freeze damage, we recommend that you turn your pool heater on in the low position (approximately 60 degrees) and turn your pool pump on 24 hours per day. The pool heater does not function in freeze protection mode.

The warranty on a freeze guard is for the unit itself (not other equipment). The freeze guard is an electronic device and can fail like any other electronic piece of equipment. Please take the time each year to check the operation of your freeze guard the first time the temperature drops down.

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AUTOMATIC CHLORINATOR

The automatic chlorinator installed at your equipment site is designed to provide you with convenience of proper sanitation automatically. The chlorine tablets added to the chlorinator dissolve slowly as filtered water passes over them, feeding controlled amounts of sanitizer equally throughout the pool and spa. This helps insure proper control of bacteria and algae without the inconvenience of daily chemical additions, as is required by some other methods.

Check your chlorinator weekly or as needed, to insure it contains the proper amount of tablets for your pool requirements so you can enjoy crystal clear, safe pool water. As the water temperature increases, the rate of tablets dissipation increases accordingly.

SUGGESTED CHLORINATOR SETTINGS AND # OF TABLETS USED:  

Water Temperature

Dial Setting*

Qty of Tablets

Spring months
(60 to 80 degrees)
Low to Middle setting

1 tablet per 10,000 gallons - no more than 1 tablet greater

Summer months
(80 degrees and up)
Middle to Highest setting

1 tablet per 10,000 gallons - no more than 1 tablet greater

Fall months
(60 to 80 degrees)
Low to Middle setting

1 tablet per 10,000 gallons - no more than 1 tablet greater

Winter months
(60 degrees or less)
Highest setting

no tablets — maximum water flow through the chlorinator tube to prevent freeze damage

Note: During the winter months, the free available chlorine level only needs to be .5 ppm for algae control. As the temperatures drop and the sun is less intense, chlorine requirements are reduced and longer acting.

* Be sure to adjust setting to fit your pool requirements.

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VACUUMING THE POOL

A complete set of hand tools has been provided to allow you to hand vacuum your pool whenever needed. The operation of this system is simple to set up and the vacuum “suction” is extremely powerful. Be sure to follow the diagram of valve sets for your pool and instructions below to achieve the best results.

Pool Only

 

 

Pool with Spa

 

T0 VACUUM:

A.  Assemble vacuum system on deck by attaching the telescoping pole to vacuum head and uncoiling and stretching the vacuum hose out.

B.  Attach swivel end of vacuum hose to the vacuum head and attach vacuum adapter to opposite end of vacuum hose.

C.  Prepare “near” skimmer to attach vacuum to and clean basket of debris.

D.  Turn “on” main pump.

E.  Close 3-way valves to main drain (Pool Only) or close 2-way to main drain (Pool with Spa).

F.  Close 2-way valve to “far” skimmer.

G.  Place vacuum head, pole, and hose into pool water next to “near” selected skimmer.

H.  Submerge vacuum slowly, vertically forcing hose into pool, which helps fill hose with water, until entire hose is in the water and water comes out of the hose.

I.  Quickly place vacuum hose with vacuum adapter into selected skimmer. If air gets into system, open air relief valve on filter to expel air.

J.  Begin to vacuum by moving vacuum across walls and floor.

K.  When finished, open valves to far skimmer and main drain.

L.  Remove vacuum hose and adapter from skimmer.

M.  Remove vacuum hose, head, and pole from pool.

N.  Clean all skimmer baskets and pump strainer basket.

0.  Check filter pressure gauge: backwash if needed.

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AUTOMATIC CLEANER

After the plaster has cured, the automatic cleaner is attached to the special wall fitting and put into operation.

It is important to keep the cleaner free from debris by frequently checking the bag and finger screen located in wall unit connection. If you allow your cleaner to operate for extended periods, loaded with debris, it may cause parts to wear out faster than normal

Replacement parts are available at our retail center for your needs. Also note that our retail representatives, as well as our service technicians, are factory trained and authorized to work on your cleaner for regular maintenance, adjustments, or repairs as required.

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SPA MODE OPERATION

Placing the spa into operation requires a few simple steps that will result in a pleasurable experience for your entire family. Below find a general pictorial diagram for a quick reference guide:

 

To Operate Spa:

1.  Turn “on” main pump (be sure pool cleaner is off).

2.  Rotate suction 3-way valve to spa position (spa drain).

3.  Rotate return 3-way valve to spa position (spa return).

4.  Turn “on” heater.

REGULAR MODE

In soaking mode of operation you merely wait for the appropriate temperature of spa water to be achieved, get into the spa and relax!

AIR INJECTED MODE

In the highly agitated mode, you merely turn on the air blower, after the temperature of the spa has reached desired levels, get into the spa and enjoy the massaging action on those aching muscles! Turn off the blower when you have finished.

NOTE:  DO NOT OPERATE BLOWER FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES AT A TIME. THEN ALLOW COOLING DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE TURNING ON AGAIN IN ORDER TO AVOID OVERHEATING.

COOL DOWN PERIOD

After you have finished using the spa, it is important that you turn off the heater and turn the pool equipment for at least 15 minutes to allow the heater to cool down. This will prevent excessive heat build up and potential damage to the filtration system. Be sure that all the valves are returned to normal operation after you have finished with the spa.

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© 2005 Blue Horizon Pool & Spa Co. All rights reserved.              **NEW LOCATION**     1410 Summit Suite 9, Plano, TX. 75074