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What’s the Purpose of Different Pool Chemicals?

• Chlorine or Bromine (Sanitizer): Sanitizers are the most important chemicals in your pool, as they eliminate harmful bacteria, algae, and viruses. Most pool owners use chlorine, but bromine is a good alternative for those sensitive to chlorine. For our BioGuard SilkGuard or Basic chlorine tablets, place them in a floating dispenser or automatic feeder. If using liquid chlorine or Super Soluble granular chlorine, add them directly to the pool while the pump is running.
• pH Adjusters: Maintaining a proper pH balance in your pool ensures the chlorine can work effectively and prevents irritation or damage to pool surfaces. An ideal pH level for a home pool should be between 7.2 – 7.6. You’ll need a pH increaser (Balance Pak 200) and a pH decreaser (Lo N’ Slo or muriatic acid), that you can add in small amounts, as needed.
• Alkalinity Increaser (Balance Pak 100): Alkalinity stabilizes pH, preventing sudden fluctuations in levels. Balance Pak 100 raises alkalinity. If alkalinity is low, add the required amount while the pump is running, then retest after a few hours to ensure stability.
• Calcium Hardness Increaser (Balance Pak 300): Calcium hardness prevents water from becoming too corrosive or too scale-forming. Ideal calcium hardness should be between 200 – 275 ppm. If levels are low, add calcium chloride by dissolving it in a bucket of water first, then pour it evenly around the pool.
• Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer 100): Cyanuric acid protects chlorine from breaking down due to sunlight. An ideal CYA level would be between 30 – 50 ppm. If using liquid CYA, pour it near return jets, and if using granules, dissolve it in warm water before adding. Cyanuric Acid is also available in a liquid, Natural Chemistry’s Liquid Conditioner, sold by the gallon.
• Algaecide (Back Up 2 and Algae All 60): Algaecide provides an extra layer of protection against algae growth. Add a maintenance dose once a week after balancing.

Questions about what your pool needs? We’re here to help, ensuring you have the best swimming season possible with all the equipment and supplies you need. Stop by the store or reach out today.

What’s the Process for Adding & Adjusting Pool Chemicals?

What will you need to know when adjusting pool chemicals throughout your swimming season? Here’s the standard process to follow:

1. Test and adjust alkalinity first. If it’s too low, add Balance Pak 100, and if it’s too high, check with your pool professional for the proper procedure to reduce alkalinity.
2. Test and adjust pH. If it’s too low, add Balance Pak 200 and if it’s too high, add muriatic acid or Lo N’ Slo.
3. Add chlorine or bromine. For chlorine pools, use liquid chlorine, BioGuard chlorine tablets, or granular chlorine. For bromine pools, use bromine tablets.
4. Add cyanuric acid, if needed. This helps protect the chlorine from UV rays and slows down its breakdown. If adding Stabilizer 100, dissolve it in warm water before pouring it into the skimmer or add Liquid Conditioner.
5. Test and adjust calcium hardness. If it’s too low, add Balance Pak 300 to prevent etching of pool surfaces. If it’s too high, dilute it by partially draining and refilling the pool with fresh water.
6. Add algaecide. Algae All 60 helps prevent algae growth. Best practice is to shock the pool in the evening and add algaecide one hour after shocking or the next morning.

Once you’re done, keep the pump running for at least 24 hours to ensure even chemical distribution. Chlorine levels should be 1-4 ppm before swimming.

How Long Do I Have To Wait To Swim After Adding Pool Chemicals?

Adding pool chemicals is necessary for maintaining the water, but it’s important to know when it’s safe to enter the pool again after doing so. That said, this can vary on the chemical you’re using and how much you’ve added.

To start, if you’re adding chemicals for the first time in a season, let the pool pump run for 24 hours before entering again. Once your season has officially started, wait times can vary based on the size of the pool, how much water it’s circulating, and how much of the chemical was used.

Our ALEX test analysis printout lets you know when you can swim after each step listed on the analysis. That said, here’s a good general guide: 

• Chlorine: After adding a regular dose of chlorine, wait 30 minutes to 1 hour before swimming.
• pH Adjusters: For pH adjusters (both increasers and decreasers), wait 30 minutes to 1 hour before swimming.
• Shock Treatment: This generally requires a wait of around 12 – 24 hours. Pool shock treatments contain high levels of chlorine to kill bacteria and algae, so swimming too soon can cause skin and eye irritation. Chlorine levels should be 3 ppm or lower before swimming. When you use BioGuard Basic Shock and Smart Shock, you can swim in just 15 minutes after application.
• Algaecide: If you’ve added algaecide, wait 15 to 30 minutes – algaecides are mild, and most pools are safe to swim in shortly after adding them.
• Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer): CYA takes longer to dissolve and distribute, so wait 12 – 24 hours, and always test before swimming.
• Calcium Hardness Increaser: Since this chemical dissolves slowly, wait 2 – 4 hours before getting back in the pool.

If you’re looking to speed up wait times, run the pool pump continuously to distribute chemicals faster. Always check chlorine and pH levels before swimming, and if shocking, wait until chlorine is below 5 ppm. Before swimming in cloudy water, check with your pool professional to see if swimming is recommended.

Should I Shock My Pool Regularly? What Happens if I Don’t?

Yes, shocking your pool on a regular basis, especially before closing it for an extended period, is crucial for maintaining its cleanliness and health. Shocking, also known as superchlorination, involves adding a large dose of chlorine or other oxidizing chemicals to the water to eliminate bacteria, algae, and organic contaminants.

It is recommended that you shock your pool once a week on a regular schedule and after any party or heavy use of the pool.  Sanitizers kill bacteria and contaminants and shock burns off all of the dead things killed by the sanitizers.

What happens if this maintenance is neglected?

• Algae can quickly take over a pool that hasn’t been shocked, causing the water to turn green and become slimy.
• Without shocking, bacteria can multiply in the water, increasing the risk of illness for swimmers.
• Contaminants and algae can make the water cloudy and unappealing.
• Bacteria and algae can produce unpleasant odors in the water.

How Do I Shock My Pool At the End of the Season?

If you don’t shock your pool before closing it, it will be much more difficult to reopen in the spring. The water may be heavily contaminated and require extensive cleaning and treatment, which will delay the start of your summer swimming fun.

So, what does end-of-season pool shocking entail?

1. Test the water. Use a test kit to check pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels, then make appropriate adjustments, as needed.
2. Choose the right shock. There are many types of shock – sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, sodium di-chlor, and tri-chlor. Things to consider when choosing a shock are your pool surface, the reason you are shocking and other factors. Consult your pool professional to see what is the best one for your pool and particular situation.
3. Calculate the correct amount. Typically, you’ll need 1 pound of shock per 10,000 – 12,000 gallons of water (but check the product instructions).
4. Dissolve the shock (if needed). If using granular shock, dissolve it in a bucket of water before adding it to prevent liner damage.  When dissolving any powder shock, put water in the bucket FIRST, then add product.  Read all directions thoroughly.
5. Distribute the product evenly. Pour the shock solution around the pool, avoiding concentrated dumping in one area. Brush up any undissolved product.
6. Run the pump. Let the pump circulate the water for at least 10-12 hours to distribute the shock evenly.
7. Wait before covering. Ensure chlorine levels return to a safe range before adding your winter cover.