Pristine Blue is a non-chlorine system that uses a copper based algaecide, and active ingredient of ET-3000 to fight algae and kill bacteria. It is used biweekly mostly, but in some cases treatments may need to be made weekly. The Pristine Blue sanitizing system uses six separate and very unique chemicals: Pristine Blue, Pristine Check, Pristine Clean, Pristine Clear, Pristine Power, and Pristine Extra. Understanding each of these chemicals and how they work will help you to understand how to treat your pool when it needs it.
Water Balance of Pristine Blue
pH: 7.2 - 7.6
Alkalininty: 30-90
Calcium Hardess:100-300
Ideal Copper Level: .9
Pristine Blue
The foundation of the Pristine Blue sanitizing system is, of course, Pristine Blue itself. Like other sanitizers there are certain levels like pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness that have to be maintained. It's recommended that balancing these levels is done every two weeks. However there is one level unique to Pristine Blue, the copper level. Copper ions, the active ingredient of Pristine Blue, are bonded to unique carrier ET-3000. This chemical helps keep the copper suspended in the water at all times so it does not ever settle to the bottom of the pool. The special formula penetrates and disturbes normal functions of bacteria and algae's cell walls. By harming these functions that the cell wall takes part in, the copper ions allow silver ions into the cell. The silver ions, in turn, destroy the cell's DNA and RNA replication processes, as well as respiratory systems, leaving it like a fish out of water. The Pristine Blue stays evenly dispersed in the water because of the polarity of the molecule. To simply put it, the molecules are like magnets with the same polarity. When they push against each other they bounce off and keep the Pristine Blue from clumping together in one area.
Pristine Check
Pristine Check prepares the water for the insertion of Pristine Blue. It used when every spring when you open your pool and/or if you have never used Pristine Blue. Pristine Check removes excess calcium from the water and gets it caught in the filter so you can remove it by backwashing 24 hours later. If you have hard water it is recommended to apply Pristine Check whenever your calcium hardness level gets to high. An alternative is adding 2 ounces of Pristine Check whenever you top off your water level. Pristine Blue works best with a low calcium hardness level, but remember anything hardness level under 100 ppm can be corrosive. Also, remember that if you do not backwash the filter the calcium will work its way back into the pool the pool, and the Pristine Check will have been wasted.
Pristine Clean
Pristine Clean is actually one of the most important aspects of the Pristine Blue sanitizing system. The carrier of Pristine Blue, ET-3000, has seven copper ions attached to it like spokes. If one of the copper ions are replaced with iron, silver, or magnesium the Pristine Blue molecule is less effective at killing bacteria and algae. This is where Pristine Clean comes in. Pristine Clean is basically empty ET 3000 molecules that have plenty of room to absorb all of the free metals roaming around in the pool. By doing this it keeps the "staining effect" of the free copper molecules from happening. It also works to keep the other unwanted metals from replacing the copper.
Pristine Power
Pristine Power is an oxidizer that burns out all the odors and organic materials in the water that the pristine blue has isolated and killed. Pristine power is used either weekly or bi-weekly depending on each pool. It also helps prevent dull or cloudy water from body oils or suntan lotions released in the water upon human entry. Pristine Power is a non-chlorine shock that is not an "extreme oxidizer" so you may swim as soon as 15 minutes after adding it.
Pristine Extra
Let's face it, sometimes the Pristine Power isn't all that its name implies. Sometimes you need just a little bit more of a kick to help kill off that algae, fight cloudy water, or to clean up after a heavy load of swimmers. Pristine experts have realized this over time and Earth Science Laboratories kindly obliged and came out with a more powerful substitute, Pristine Extra. However, there is a slight catch, it's a chlorine shock. Don't worry though, Pristine Extra quickly dissipates to leave your pool chlorine free almost overnight. Make sure to use this great tool at night because the sun will destroy the shock before its allowed to do its job. Some people even use Pristine Extra as a substitute for Pristine Power with great results to. If you're opposed to using a chlorine shock all of the time then alternate. Use a chlorine shock one week and a non-chlorine shock the next week. However, there are certain chlorine shocks that are not to be used with Pristine Blue such as Cal-Hypo. Commonly sold at Wal-Mart and other hardware stores, cal-hypo does not work well with Pristine Blue because of the calcium that it contains. Lithium Hypochlorite, on the other hand, is a great shock to use with the Pristine Blue as it is a very fast dissolving shock that leaves no residue behind.
Pristine Clear
Pristine Clear helps clear cloudy or hazy water. It is recommended that you use 2 oz. per 10,000 gallons of water every two weeks along with the other Pristine products. Pristine Clear works like a magnet. As it travels throughout the water it pulls in molecules of the opposite charge and eventually gets so big that it gets trapped in the filter. Eventually, when you backwash the filter the polymer gets washed out of filter and into your lawn where it is harmless.
