Pool Chemistry 101

For clean and clear pool water, certain chemicals must be added to the pool and their proper levels maintained. A brief overview of the essential pool chemicals and their optimum levels will help familiarize you with the products necessary to attain the perfect pool. To check the levels, daily pool water testing is necessary. This is achieved easily using pool water testing supplies, carried by pcPOOLS. Remember, always start the pool season with fresh test strips to ensure their accuracy. In adding the appropriate amount of chemicals, you must know the size in gallons of your pool. pcPOOLS has provided the formula to compute the size in gallons.

Chlorine is the most popular sanitizer and disinfectant for pool water. It is a natural chemical that oxidizes bacteria to keep the pool water safe and clean. The Free Available Chlorine (FAC) level should be maintained between 2.0 and 3.0 parts per million (ppm). During hot weather, the FAC level should be held at the higher end of the acceptable range. pcPOOLS offers 1″ Chlorine tablets, 3″ Chlorine tabs, & 8″ sticks that can be dispensed by placing the tablet in a chlorinator, floating feeder or the skimmer basket. If you prefer to add the chemical directly to the water, Dy-Chlor, a granular form of chlorine, is a good choice. Please follow the instructions on the product for safe use.

pH is the level of acidity of the pool water. A proper pH level, between 7.2 and 7.6, is necessary so that chlorine can work effectively. If the pool’s pH level is below 7.2, there is a possibility that the water could corrode your pool equipment and you should consider adding pH Increaser to bring up the pH to an acceptable level. If the pH level is above 7.6, pcPOOLS carries pH Decreaser which would help bring the pH level down to the proper level and alleviate the possibility of scaling.

Alkalinity is the measure of certain minerals which act as buffering agents and allow you to readily adjust the pH levels. Alkalinity acts as a pH stabilizer and reduces pH “bounce”. The level of total alkalinity should be maintained between 100 and 150 ppm in plaster pools and between 125 and 175 ppm in painted, vinyl and fiberglass pools. If total alkalinity is too low, use pcPOOLS’s pH Buffer. To reduce alkalinity, use pH Decreaser.

A Stabilizer is a chemical that prevents the sun’s ultra-violet rays from affecting the chlorine levels. The stabilizer forms a protective bond around the chlorine to resist the sun’s harmful effects. Pools should be stabilized whenever large amounts of fresh water are added. The level of stabilizer should be maintained at approximately 35 ppm. Try pcPOOLS’s Stabilizer/Conditioner.

Shock is a chemical that raises the chlorine level and breaks up contaminants that resist normal chlorination and cloud water. Weekly shock treatments work to remove these contaminants and aid in maintaining clear and biologically clean pool water. pcPOOLS offers both Blast Out Shock and Burst Shock.

Algae Control chemicals combat algae, the aquatic plant that grows in pool water due to its warmth and lack of proper sanitization. Common types of algae include green, pink, black and mustard. Algae growth in its early stages can be contained using a chlorine shock. However, some stubborn algae may require an algaecide. pcPOOLS has a section dedicated to Algaecides in the chemicals section of this website.

Clarifiers and Flocculants are chemicals used to help achieve clear pool water. Some contaminant particles are too small to be caught within the filter. Clarifying agents and flocculants cause these particles to bond together into larger particles which will be removed through filtration or vacuuming. pcPOOLS offers Shimmer, Super Shimmer, and Super Floc to help maintain your water clarity.

OVERLAP POOL LINERS: On this type of pool, the pool liner goes up and over the top lip of the pool wall. It then comes down over the edge on the outside of the pool. This type of pool liner is normally secured with some sort of clamping method that holds it in place. Any adjustment that may be needed on the wall height of the pool liner is made by removing the lamp(s) and either letting in or pulling out more of the liner.

BEADED POOL LINERS: Beaded pool liners come in 2 sizes, 48″ & 52″ wall heights. If there is any height adjustment that needs to be made, this needs to be done by removing or building up the height of the “cove” located at the base of the pool wall within the pool. Cove is available in “wedge” shaped Styrofoam or sand can be used by compacting it into the corner where the wall meets the floor.

UNIBEAD J-HOOK POOL LINERS: Uni-bead or J-Hook pool liners have a upside down J, and just hooks on the top side of the pool wall. J-Hook pool liners can also be cut to be used as a beaded receiver

Please note that this chart is to be used only as a guide since pool water
problems are often the result of several factors.

The pool’s filtration system contains a pump and a filter system which circulates the pool water through the filter to remove dirt and contaminants and clean the pool water. A pool filter should run at least 8 hours daily to properly maintain the pool water’s clarity and cleanliness. A sand filtration system, the most popular and economical type, uses a bed of fine sand to trap contaminants and debris as the pool water circulates through the sand filter. Using sand as the filtering media provides some benefits to the pool owner. Sand filters are relatively simple to use and may be cleaned by backwashing to remove the accumulated debris. Sand is an inexpensive filter media and it is very long lasting. If properly treated, sand only needs to be replace once every 3-4 years. pcPOOLS offers sand filtration systems for both above ground and in ground pools. For parts of the country with water restrictions or for pool owners looking for even better pool water quality, another type of pool filter system is a cartridge filtration system. Cartridge filter systems use a replaceable pool filter to trap debris and other contaminants to clarify the pool water. Using a cartridge filter (which looks much like a large oil filter used in a car) provides increased benefits that sand can’t match. Because of the cartridge’s construction, it will trap smaller particles than sand making the pool water quality better. Cartridge systems are also recommended where water restrictions occur. Cartridge systems do not require “backwashing”, which can use hundreds of gallons of water. A cartridge filter is cleaned by removing the cartridge element and hosing it off and soaking it in filter cleaner for an hour or two. The cartridge may need to be replaced every season depending on the amount of usage of your pool.

Test for pH and sanitizer levels

If you test your own water, check the pH and free chlorine or bromine levels.
The chart below provides the proper levels to keep your water crystal clear.

If any of these levels are not in their proper range, consult our
Pool Care Guide for the proper chemicals to bring them into balance.

Remove all leaves, debris & excess water from pool cover. Use Submersible Pump to clear water away. Then remove the pool cover.

Check the condition of your Pool Liner. Need to replace your pool liner?

Remove all winterizing plugs from the pool suction lines and return lines.

Assemble all pool pump and filter pipes to respective fittings. Check the condition of the sand, cartridge or DE elements. Clean or replace if necessary. Need to replace your Pump & Filter System?

Be sure the pool filter top is secure, the tank drain is closed and the pool filter valve is in the “Filter” position.

Hook up pool pump, filter and any other additional equipment you might have (Pool Heaters, etc.).

Re-attach any deck equipment you have such as Pool Ladders, Diving Boards, etc. Install all Pool Deck equipment including skimmer baskets and return directionals.

Bring the pool water level up to normal & Start the pump.

Using Blue Wave Chemical Start-up Kit, follow our FREE Pool Care Guide directions to get your water in swimming condition! Balance the water chemistry and check the levels frequently during the first few days (until they stabilize).

Run the pool pump & filter system 24 hours until your pool water has cleared completely.

Remove any debris from pool using an Automatic Pool Cleaner or Pool Cleaning Equipment.

Clean Liner with Tile & Vinyl Cleaner & clean Filter with Filter Clean.

For more detailed Pool Opening Instruction, in Printer Friendly Format, Click Here.

Automatic Cleaners

A suction cleaner works off the vacuum of
the pool’s filtration system to suck debris from the pool bottom and does
not require a separate booster pool pump. This is the least expensive
automatic pool cleaner to purchase and is the easiest to install. It cleans
whenever the pool filter is running. A suction pool cleaner is highly
recommended only if the pool if relatively free from heavy leaves, pine
needles and twigs.
Above Ground suction type pool cleaners offered by pcPOOLS are

Trident
Dirt Devil®
Ranger™
Zoom™
Barracuda® Zippy™
‘Lil Shark™

Inground suction type pool cleaners offered by pcPOOLS are
Dirt Devil®,
Barracuda® Pacer™,
Barracuda® G3™,
Barracuda® G4™.

Robot Cleaners do not have to be hooked up to the filtration system.
They are fully automatic, computerized, has its own drive motor and filtration
system and filters your pool water at the same time. Since it has its own motor,
it works independently of your pool filter system, and purifies your pool
water as it helps distribute pool chemicals.
Above ground
Pool Rover,
Pool Rover Jr.™,
Dolphin Robo-Kleen.

Inground
Aquabot™,
Aquabot™ Turbo,
Aquabot™ Turbo Remote,
Aquabot™ Turbo T,
Aquabot™ Turbo T2,
Aquabot™ Turbo T4 - RC,
Dolphin™ 2001 Diagnostic,
Dolphin 2002 Dynamic w/Remote & Caddy,
Dolphin HD™ Commercial Auto Cleaner,
Dolphin™ 3001 Commercial Auto Pool Cleaner w/ Caddy,
Dolphin™ 3002 Commercial Auto Pool Cleaner w/ Caddy & Remote,
Dolphin 2×2 Commercial Auto Pool Cleaner,
Orion™ Automatic Pool Cleaner.

Other types include pressure Mars HP. This advanced cleaner uses jet propulsion technology to drive out of deep-end hoppers and move around obstacles.

Here is a helpful article by Deborah Kon on pool water chemistry and help choosing the right water treatment.. From www.poolspaliving.com

Choosing the Best Water Treatment Combinations

So you want to buy an Above Ground pool, but where do you begin? Here’s a step by step walkthrough of what you’ll need to get outfitted for fun in the sun this summer. Click here for the rest of the article

1. Vacuum your pool or us an automatic pool cleaner regularly
2. Test your pool water every other day to check for proper chlorine and pH levels.
3. Use a solar cover to warm the pool and swim earlier and later each season.
4. Run your pool pump and filter at least 10 hours per day (clean your filter or back wash regularly).
5. Use only premium Blue Wave Pool Chemical to insure clean water and efficient operation of your pump, filter and liner.
6. Keep your pool’s skimmer basket clean to insure proper water circulation.
7. Apply shock chemicals to your pool regularly and after periods of heavy use to insure clean, clear pool water.
8. Brush your pool walls every week to remove debris that can start algae growth.
9. Cover your pool each fall with a quality winter pool cover to protect your pool liner from leaves, twigs, and other debris.
10. Use a Blue Wave start-up kit each spring to insure crystal clear water all season; and when needed use a Blue Wave chlorinated, or
    Blue Wave non-chlorine closing pool chemical kit at the end of each season.