Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – in a nutshell – pump must run, filter must be clean, pH needs to be between 7.4-7.6, TA needs to be between 80-125 for concrete pools and 125-150 for synthetic pools, calcium needs to be between 200-275 for concrete pools and 175-225 for synthetic pools, algeacide should be present…. and then your sanitiser (chlorine/ozone/salt/minerals) will be effective! Keep Free Chlorine levels between 1-3, Total Chlorine should be no more than FC+1. Read more on our simple guide here.

Yes – in a nutshell – pump must run, filter must be clean, pH needs to be between 7.4-7.6, TA needs to be between 125-150, calcium needs to be between 175-225 …. and then your sanitiser (chlorine/bromine/ozone/salt) will be effective! Keep Free Chlorine levels between 2-4, Total Chlorine should be no more than FC+1.  Read more in our simple guide here,  and to get you ready to go, consider purchasing one of our economical Spa Start Up Packs.

Yes! Ally would prefer to chat with you about your pool concerns to ensure you order the correct products for your needs. Having been in the pool industry since 2005, her wealth of knowledge can be drawn upon easily over the phone. Call her now on 027 557 5072.

Freight charges for orders are calculated by weight and destination.
Orders meeting the advertised freight-free offer parameters* will have freight charges waived.  Any Rural Delivery and/or Dangerous Goods surcharges will still apply.
*Our Freight-Free offer advertised on our home page applies only to orders under 25kg Auckland and Christchurch, elsewhere under 15kg.
For freight charges and Pacific Island enquiries, please email info@poolandspamasters.co.nz.

Our Returns Policy: We stock quality pool and spa products and are confident that you will be very pleased with your purchase. If for any reason you are not satisfied please return it to us for a refund or exchange within 7 days of the purchase date. The refund will cover the purchase price of the returned product, including return shipping.
View our Full Returns Policy

Don’t panic – best option here is to call Ally now on 027 557 5072. She will ask all the right questions, provide you with the answers and plan the best ‘plan of attack’ for you to fix the problem yourself. You will need to add a few products and apply a bit of elbow grease, but it’s really not that hard! Visit Green Pool Fix page for more information and/or download our printable DIY Green Pool Fix step-by-step guide here.

Balanced water will ensure less brushing, less filter cleaning, less work! If scooping leaves is no bother to you, we recommend using test strips weekly and adjusting your balance accordingly, and visiting a local pool store monthly for a professional water test.  As we are an online store, we are unable to provide water testing.

To ensure your pool or spa is always working at its best, it is important to have the ‘balance’ correct.  This will ensure your pool is healthy and safe to bathe in, look inviting, be comfortable, and to protect your pool’s surface and equipment including heaters, pumps and filtration systems.  For easy-to-read guides on water balance, please refer to our handy guides:

Pool

Spa

Water Test Strips

In order to know correct filtration hours and to calculate chemical quantities, we need to know the volume of our pool.  The size of your pool will determine how long you need to run your pump and filter, and of course what dosage rates to apply your chemicals. Running your pump and filter for longer than necessary will waste electricity. Not running them long enough will mean your water isn’t sufficiently clean or healthy for swimming.
Likewise, adding a too high dosage rate of chemicals can damage your pool equipment, or cause a concentration of chemistry in the water that isn’t safe or comfortable. A too weak dosage will mean the chemicals are ineffective in doing their job. This is not only a waste of money, but may also cause your pool to be unsafe to swim in, as it may not be sanitised properly.
This is why it’s imperative to know how many litres are in your pool! You’ll need a measuring tape to calculate the following formula.
Pool volume (Litres) = length (m) x width (m) x average depth (m) x 1000 (to convert to litres).
You can determine the average depth (without getting wet) by placing your leaf scoop pole into the shallow end of the pool until it touches the bottom. After you’ve taken the pole out, lay it on the ground. With a measuring tape, measure from the bottom of the pole, up to the mark the waterline made on the pole. Do the same with the deep end. Use the following formula to calculate the average depth of your pool.
Average depth (m) = shallow end (m) x deep end (m) ÷ 2
Once you know your pool’s volume, you can be assured you’re running your equipment efficiently, protecting your pool equipment, and dosing your chemicals effectively!

Both pools are chlorine pools – the difference is the way we apply the chlorine to our pool.  We can add chlorine to a pool with liquid, tablet or granulated chlorine products either manually or via automated systems.  Alternatively we can produce chlorine using a salt water chlorination system.  This is a process that uses dissolved salt for the chlorination of swimming pools and hot tubs. The chlorine generator (also known as salt cell, salt generator, salt chlorinator, or SWG) uses electrolysis in the presence of dissolved salt to produce chlorine gas or its dissolved forms, hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite, which are already commonly used as sanitizing agents in pools. Hydrogen is produced as byproduct too.

Do not add salt to a pool or spa that has not been equipped with a salt chlorinator.

Pools vary, and so do we!  Some of us are too busy to tend to a pool on a daily basis so a chlorine tablet would be ideal, and some are happy to add a granular product on a daily basis.  Some pools don’t have a skimmer basket (eg. Swim Spas), so tablets cannot be used unless a floating dispenser has been purchased.  Some pools have a tablet dispenser plumbed in, so tablets are very easy to use!  Call us on 0275575072 to discuss.

If your salt cell has white deposits on the plates it requires cleaning!

Switch off the chlorinator and remove the cell from the housing following manufacturer’s instructions, please refer to your owners manual.  If the scale layer is not very heavy the deposits can be washed away with a garden hose. (Do not brush the electrodes or scrape with sharp objects.)

• If the above does not help, you will need to soak the cell in a suitable cleaning solution or a self-mixed hydrochloric acid solution. To prepare acid solution mix 1 part of Pool Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) with 5 parts of water in a bucket. Submerge the cell into the solution for 3-5 minutes. If it takes longer than 5 minutes to clean, it is an indication that the electrodes should be cleaned more frequently.
• Put the cell back into cell housing following manufacturer’s instructions.

We also recommend adding Lochlor Multi Stain Remover or Pool Protector Calcium Block to your pool water as a long lasting treatment.

This depends on the seasons and how much use the pool is getting – chlorine levels should be maintained between 1-3ppm and can be regulated by following recommendations made in your salt chlorinator’s owner’s manual.  The hours your pump is running per day will affect the chlorine output, so ensure the manufacturer’s guidelines are followed.  If you do not have a manual, you may be able to download a copy from the internet by Googling the chlorinator’s make and model.

Always wear protective clothing and eyewear when handling Pool Master Hydrochloric Acid.  Dilute the pool acid in a bucket of pool water (ratio 10:1) and slowly and carefully pour/dribble around the perimeter of the pool avoiding splashing and large quantities entering pool in one place. We suggest using an alternative product to provide safe storage and handling: dry acid, or Sodium Bisulphate.  Available in 5 pack sizes, Pool Master and Spa Master pH Decrease.

Backwashing is simply ‘cleaning your filter’ and should be performed monthly at a minimum, or weekly during high use periods. Always follow the backwashing procedures recommended in your filter’s owner’s manual to ensure correct handling of your expensive filtration equipment, and to provide safe, clear and inviting pool water to swim in.  If you do not have a manual, you may be able to download a copy from the internet by Googling the filter’s make and model.  Some filters have the procedure recorded on the side for your quick reference – always ‘Rinse’ after ‘Backwash’.

To reduce the amount of debris passing through your filter, we highly recommend using skimmer socks on your skimmer baskets to catch fine organic matter.

To protect your pump, and minimise phosphates in your pool water ensure your pump basket is free of debris (leaves, sticks and seeds etc). Always turn the pump off before removing the lid from the pump basket.  Follow the instructions provided in the pump’s owner’s manual.  If you do not have a manual, you may be able to download a copy from the internet by Googling the pump’s make and model.

To assist in efficient filtration and to reduce phosphates in your pool water it is important to empty your skimmer basket daily if required.  Remove skimmer plate (cover) and scoop debris with a gloved hand, or turn off pump and remove skimmer basket to be emptied and hosed clean.  Replace basket and cover on skimmer, and turn pump on.  We recommend using skimmer socks to collect fine debris and provide an easy clean option.

There are several ways to achieve this, and/or a few products you could use.  We recommend regular backwashing, or cartridge filter cleaning and the use of skimmer socks and clarifiers.  Highly recommended products include Spa Master Cartridge Cleaner, Spa Master Spa and Pool Clarifier, and Mr Floccit Crystal Cube. For spas, it may indicate that it is time to replace the water, ensure you use Spa Master Spa Kleen pipe cleaner to remove grease and oils from pipes.

It’s simple – add Lochlor No More Ducks!

This helps deter ducks and other feathered friends from swimming in pools. Not only is it a good duck repellent but it is also a very effective anti-algae treatment.  Available in 5L.

With use and age, spa pools can deteriorate.  In order to keep your spa in pristine condition, you will need to regularly clean it. We recommend using a soft micro-fibre cloth to wipe acyclic surfaces and covers on a weekly basis.  Keep filters clean using Spa Master Cartridge Cleaner, reduce foam and scum by using Spa Master Defoamer and empty the pool every 3-4 months (depending on use) using Spa Master Spa Kleen pipe cleaner before draining.

Spa foam occurs for a variety of reasons, including residual detergent from clothing or bathers washing off in the spa, or a build-up of body oils in the water.  Easily eliminate foam and scum by using Spa Master Defoamer which reduces foam in seconds!

Foaming may also indicate that it is time to drain and refill your spa water (we recommend replacing water every 3-4 months depending on use).  Be sure to use Spa Master Spa Kleen pipe cleaner to remove grease and oils from the pipes before draining.

Dirty filters may also cause foaming so keep filters clean using Spa Master Cartridge Cleaner . It may be time to replace filters also; check their condition and order replacements here.

Magnum filter cartridges do not have a defined termination point, but over a period of time your cartridge will gradually block up and will need replacing.
There are three factors in determining whether you cartridge needs replacing:

1. The cartridge gets blocked quickly, and you have to clean your cartridge more often. Use Spa Master Cartridge Cleaner every time your clean your filters.
2. Restricted water flow and high differential pressure (differential pressure is the difference between the pressure coming in and the pressure going out).
3. A cracked or damaged cartridge (this is very rare, and is usually caused by incorrect installation or high differential pressure).

In a spa or pool with very high usage you will need to change the cartridge within a year, but normally between 18 months and 2 years. For ease of use, it is best to have 2 sets of filter cartridges for your pool or spa.  Whilst one is soaking and drying, the clean set are used immediately in the filter after removal of the soiled cartridges.

Is it time for new filter cartridges?  For more information and a filter request form, click here.

Because a filter is designed to collect unwanted particles, debris, oils, soaps etc, it will need to be cleaned regularly. Basically the more you use your spa or pool, the more often you have to clean the filter cartridge. From very high usage (every 2-3 weeks) to very low usage (every 2 months).
A blocked cartridge can put undue pressure on your pump and motor and decrease the life of these parts.
Please use Pool Master Cartridge Cleaner to clean your filters on a regular basis.

Spa Master Cartridge Cleaner is a concentrated cleaning solution for the removal of dirt, oil, body fat, grease, and film from cartridge and bag filters.  Restores filter efficiency, improves circulation and helps keep water clear, sanitises and lengthens life of the filter.  Classified as a non-dangerous good for transport and storage.

Directions:

For ease of use, it is best to have 2 sets of filter cartridges for your pool or spa.  Whilst one is soaking and drying, the clean set are used immediately in the filter after removal of the soiled cartridges.

1. Add 130ml of the concentrated liquid to 10L of cold water into a bucket.
2. Remove soiled filter elements from the filter unit and spray with a strong jet of water to remove surface debris.
3. Place cartridges into the diluted solution of Cartridge Cleaner and allow to soak for 24 hours to obtain best results.
4. Remove cartridges and hose thoroughly to remove all traces of Cartridge Cleaner.
5. Leave to dry completely, preferably in sunshine.

New Cartridges:

Is it time for new filter cartridges?  For more information and a filter request form, click here.