Technical service and maintenance advice

Daily shutdown: At the end of each cooling day, allow the fans to run 30 minutes or longer after the pump is shut down. This helps dry the cool pad, which adds in preventing growth of bacteria or fungus that can foul filters and distribution holes.

Algae will grow on any surface that is wet and exposed to sunlight. To help prevent algae build up, follow these tips:
- Do not draw make-up water from an open pond
- Use well water or chlorinated water from city systems
- Cover the sump to avoid exposure to sunlight and airborne particles, and to keep animals from drinking it
- Keep the fans running after the pump is shut off to dry the pads, thus killing the algae spores left on the pad
- Isolate the water make-up system from any other system
- Pads should be shaded from direct sunlight.

Water quality: PH of recirculating water (from sump) must be maintained between 6 and 9 (7 is pure water). If these limits are exceeded, the stiffening agents in the pad will leach out and destroy the pad.

Hard water resulting in Calcium Carbonate deposits on the pad is not harmful, but should be kept within limits.

Sodium Chloride (salt water) concentrate above 50,000 ppm (approximately) will deposit salt on the pad and reduce airflow. Keep salt concentrates below 50,000 ppm in recalculating water and below 40,000 ppm in make-up water.

Cleaning: If airborne dust and bugs tend to clog the airflow passages, proper operation of the system will normally wash away the clogging. If necessary pads could be cleaned by spraying with low-pressure water stream and some light scrubbing. Cleaning solution such as chlorine and other harsh chemicals should never be used on pads.

Proper water levels: Do not overfill the system with water. If the water level is too high, the bottom of the media may sit in water at all times and become waterlogged. This also can threaten the media's self-supporting status and shorten its life.

Maintain bleed-off: Since the water is continuously evaporating and being replaced by fresh water, the salts and minerals are left behind in the re-circulating water. To reduce the buildup of deposits and scale, a bleed off for the recirculating water is provided. The bleed off rate should be 5%-100% of the evaporation rate depending upon water hardness and air-born contamination level. Bleed-off rate for general applications should be set at 20% of maximum evaporation rate in extreme conditions.

Non even water spreading on pad distribution: Adjust the valve to control the water supply. Clean the pool; pump entrance, filter and pipe etc. Eliminate the dirt inside the water recycling system.

Annual shutdown: At the end of each season, drain all the pumps, water collection troughs, and holding tanks. Water allowed to remain in the system can accumulate sediments, algae or bacteria, and will plug pump screens and distribution holes when the system is reactivated.

Suggested maintenance: Water should be screened before it is returned to the sump, as already described. Check the screen regularly to ensure that it is reasonably free of debris. Cover the sump to keep out debris.

Extend the life of cooling pad:
- Flushing pads with plenty of water
- Utilizing algae control techniques
- Bleeding off return water
- Flushing the sump
- Periodically cleaning pads as per the manufacturer's specifications
- Not using chemicals that soften the pads

Control algae: Algae require light, moisture, and nutrients to survive.
- Shade the pads and the sump
- Dry the pads overnight
- Avoid nutrient contamination of the pad system, and drain and disinfect the sump regularly