Configuring Water Chemistry

Pool Office Manager includes comprehensive water chemistry configuration options to help technicians maintain proper pool water balance. This guide covers how to set up default chemistry values and chlorine targets.

 

## Accessing Chemistry Settings

 

1. Navigate to **Settings** from the left sidebar

2. Click on **Chemistry** under the Configuration section

 

## Default Chemistry Readings

 

The Chemistry settings allow you to define default values that pre-populate when technicians start a service. These defaults serve as starting points and can be overridden during actual service.

 

### Standard Chemistry Parameters

 

| Parameter | Default Value | Description |

|-----------|---------------|-------------|

| pH | 7.8 | Acidity/alkalinity level |

| Drops of pH | 0 | pH test drops count |

| Alkalinity | 110 | Total alkalinity (ppm) |

| Free Chlorine | 4 | Available sanitizer (ppm) |

| Combined Chlorine | 1 | Chloramines level (ppm) |

| Calcium | 210 | Calcium hardness (ppm) |

| Cyanuric Acid | 60 | Stabilizer level (ppm) |

| Salt Level | 3100 | For salt water pools (ppm) |

| Phosphorus | 250 | Phosphate level (ppb) |

| Total Dissolved Solids | 100 | TDS reading (ppm) |

| Water Temperature | 80 | Temperature (°F) |

 

### Modifying Default Values

 

1. Click on the value you want to change

2. Enter the new default value

3. Click **Save** to apply changes

 

## Chlorine Target Table

 

The chlorine target table helps technicians determine appropriate chlorine levels based on cyanuric acid (CYA) readings. This is crucial for maintaining effective sanitization.

 

### How the Target Table Works

 

- The table correlates CYA levels with recommended free chlorine levels

- Higher CYA requires higher chlorine to maintain effectiveness

- Targets are adjustable based on your service standards

 

### Editing Chlorine Targets

 

1. Locate the Chlorine Target Table in Chemistry settings

2. Click on a target value to edit

3. Adjust the recommended chlorine level for each CYA range

4. Save your changes

 

## Best Practices

 

### Setting Appropriate Defaults

- Base defaults on your region's typical water conditions

- Consider seasonal variations (higher temps may need different targets)

- Align defaults with industry standards (NSF, APSP guidelines)

 

### Training Technicians

- Ensure technicians understand what each reading means

- Train on proper testing procedures

- Explain the relationship between CYA and chlorine effectiveness

 

### Regular Review

- Review and update defaults periodically

- Adjust based on customer feedback

- Update when using new testing equipment or methods

 

## Chemistry in Service Templates

 

Chemistry readings captured during service are stored in templates. To include chemistry fields in your service workflow:

 

1. Go to **Settings** → **Templates**

2. Edit your service template

3. Add a page for chemistry readings

4. Include the relevant chemistry fields

5. Mark required fields as mandatory

 

## Common Chemistry Ranges

 

For reference, here are typical target ranges for pool water:

 

| Parameter | Ideal Range |

|-----------|-------------|

| pH | 7.2 - 7.8 |

| Free Chlorine | 1 - 4 ppm |

| Combined Chlorine | < 0.5 ppm |

| Total Alkalinity | 80 - 120 ppm |

| Calcium Hardness | 200 - 400 ppm |

| Cyanuric Acid | 30 - 50 ppm |

| Salt (saltwater pools) | 2700 - 3400 ppm |

| TDS | < 1500 ppm |

 

## Related Articles

- Creating Custom Templates

- Starting and Completing Jobs

- Understanding Templates