How to install the ClearBlue Mineral System on an inground pool
Pool ionizers are catching on as the easiest and most natural way to sanitize swimming pools. This post describes how to install the ClearBlue Mineral System, but most of the steps are the same for all ClearBlue Ionizer systems.
Tools and Materials
The tools and materials you need for this job are:
- Sawsall or hack saw
- PVC cleaner and glue
- Measuring tape
- Marking pen
- Wire strippers
- Screw drivers (Phillips and slotted)
ClearBlue Kit Components
The ClearBlue Mineral System kit includes the following components:
- ClearBlue controller
- Mineral cell
- 2″ clear PVC tee
- 1.5″ PVC reducers
- Copper test strips
Planning
It is important to plan out the installation of the controller and tee before you start cutting into the plumbing.
The controller should be placed in an area that is protected from direct elements. It is rated for outdoor use, but it will last longer if it is protected.
There are two cables to consider when planning the installation. The power cable on the controller is about 6 feet long. The cell cable is around 4 feet long. So you have about 10 feet of cable to work with. Make sure that the tee and controller are placed such that the cell cable can reach the controller and the power cable can reach the power outlet or electrical panel.
Note: If the cable length is not sufficient for your configuration, 10 foot mineral cell cable extensions are available. Ask your pool supply store or builder to order one.
The tee should be placed on the return line after the pump, filter, and heater and before the salt cell (if applicable). If there is no room on that stretch of plumbing, it can be placed anywhere and it will still work.
The tee should be oriented such that the mineral cell screws in from the bottom and the bars point upwards. This is the best way to get maximum life of out the cell. However, if there isn’t enough room to install the tee this way, it can be installed ‘horizontally’ as well, so that the bars are parallel with the ground. It is not recommended to install the tee so that the cell screws in from the top and the bars are pointing downwards because you might get an air pocket in the tee around the electrode bars, and you will not get maximum efficiency or longest life from the cell.
Warning: Before you start cutting into the plumbing, it is important that you shut off the pump.
If your setup has shutoff valves, it is important to shut these off as well. If you do not have a valve that shuts off the water flow from the jets, you can get plugs for the jets that stop the water from going back through the jets and out of the cuts you are about to make.
Step 1: Install the Tee
Measure a 2.5″ gap on the PVC pipe where you would like the tee to go. This gap will be cut out in order to glue in the tee.
Cut out this 2.5″ section of pipe with a sawsall or hack saw.
Let all of the water drain out of the pipe.
Warning: If you have not shut off all water flow via valves or jet plugs, the water will rapidly drain from the pool and you will not be able to glue in the tee.
Ensure the pipe is dry before applying the PVC cleaner and glue.
Apply PVC cleaner and glue to both the inside of the tee and the outside of the pipe.
Slide the tee over the pipe and give it a quarter turn to ensure the glue coats evenly.
Step 2: Install the Mineral Cell
Once the tee is in place, you can screw in the mineral cell.
The cell has a rubber o-ring that seals it against the tee. You do not need Teflon tape on the cell threads.
Tighten the cell until it is hand-tight. Do not use a wrench or other tool because it might crack the tee or be hard to release when it is time to change it.
Ideally, the cell should be turned so that water flows between the two bars. This will help them wear evenly. If the bars don’t line up perfectly when the cell is fully threaded in, it’s not a big deal. The main thing is that the cell is sealed against the tee, so it doesn’t leak.
Step 3: Mount the Controller
The controller can be mounted to any flat or textured surface using the included velcro strips. For flat surfaces, two strips are enough and should be placed over the screw mounts on the back of the controller. For textured surfaces like brick and stucco, four strips are recommended.
Step 4: Plug Everything In and Restart The Pump
The final step is to plug in the two cables. The pink cell connector plugs into the pink receptacle on the controller. The black power cable must be plugged into a GFI protected outlet or wired to a panel with breakers as demonstrated in the video.
Open any closed valves and restart the pump.
When the tee filles up with water, the ‘Mineral Action’ light will switch from flashing red to either flashing blue (Increase mode) or solid blue (Maintain mode) to indicate that the system is ionizing.
Step 6: Set Up the Controller
There are two settings: Maintain which is the maintenance setting and Increase which is a ramp up setting.
The settings for both Maintain and Increase are given in the manual according to your pool volume in gallons or liters or you can consult the settings calculator.
Set the Maintain setting first, then set the Increase mode. The system will run on Increase for the number of hours set and then automatically switch to the Maintain setting for maintenance.
Step 7: Testing
Once the Increase mode expires, test the water with the test strips. The ideal copper level for maximum performance and cell life is 0.3 ppm. The other minerals are added proportionately, but copper is the easiest and cheapest to test for.
If the copper level is not reading at 0.3 ppm, you can run the Increase mode again. Repeat the Increase mode until you reach 0.3 ppm of copper or your desired level. A level of 0.2 ppm is still effective while providing a little more life to the cell. You can run the level as high as 0.4 or 0.5 ppm for more mineral activity, but the cell will not last as long.
Thinking about a ClearBlue for your hot tub as well? Check out this post on how to install a hot tub ionizer.
Want to learn more about the benefits of pool ionizers?
Questions or concerns? Let us know!
Happy swimming!
