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Q: Why does my pool need chemicals? A: The sun triggers the growth of tiny bacteria and algae. Filtration and circulation of the water does not do enough to keep the pool water clean and clear. Q: What chemicals are necessary for maintaining a clear pool? A: Chlorine, pH, alkaline, algaecide, water clarifier and scum digester. Chlorine is the best-known sanitizer that kills bacteria and algae. Some people prefer to use other sanitizers, but chlorine is the most effective known chemical. pH stabilizes the chlorine. Alkaline stabilizes the pH. Algaecide prevents and kills algae growth. Water clarifier helps clear foggy water. Scum digester dissolves oily layers that float on the pool surface. Q: What does pH do? A: Most people refer to pH as a chemical. pH is not a chemical. pH refers to the acidic/alkaline level of your pool water. The reason it is important is that unless your pool is within a certain pH range, your chlorine can't chemically interact with the bacteria and algae it's supposed to kill. "Soda ash" is the chemical that is added to raise the pH. A pool's pH level should be 7.2 - 7.6 Q: Does it REALLY matter if my pH balance is off? A: Yes it does matter. Some pool owners have managed to keep their pools clean and clear for years without balancing the pH but that's just luck. Most people are not as fortunate as others. With unbalanced pH, you'd be lucky if your chlorine works at all. Nobody wants to risk their pools turning green. Proper pH balancing is vital to pools with a high volume of water. Heaters WILL rot from the inside when the pH balance is off because acidic water eats metal. Q: What does alkalinity do? A: Most people refer to alkalinity as a chemical. Alkalinity is not a chemical. Alkalinity also refers to the acidic/alkaline level of your pool. Alkalinity stabilizes the ph. "Sodium bicarbonate" is the chemical that is added to raise the alkalinity (It's the same thing as baking soda). A pool's alkalinity level should be 80-120 Q: What are the rest of the chemicals used for? A: There are a lot of chemicals available in the open market. Pool owners should not have any concern for those chemicals unless they have a particular problem with the pool. The Pools Guys suggest that you should only be concerned about chlorine, pH, alkaline, algaecide, clarifiers and degreasers. Any other chemical should only be purchased when there are specific reasons. We recommend that you do not stock these "other" chemicals for a "what if" basis. Chemicals that are stored for extended periods of time lose their potency. Q: What's better, granular chlorine or chlorine tablets? A: Granular chlorine is more effective but it has to be added every day. Chlorine tablets are still very effective but not as effective as granular. We recommend chlorine tablets only because they are much less maintenance. They only need to be added once a week. Q: How do I apply chemicals to a pool? A: Chlorine tablets can be put into the skimmer baskets but we recommend using a chlorinator. Granular chlorine and granular shock should be mixed and diluted with water before added to the pool to avoid any staining that can occur to the liner of the pool. Some people apply shock to the skimmer basket while the pump is running but we do not recommend this because it can corrode and damage the filter. Liquid shock can be poured directly into the pool (we recommend pouring it by the return jets while the filter is running). Alkaline should be slowly added through the skimmer baskets while the pump is running. pH should be broadcasted across the pool surface (sprinkled). Read the directions for application of all other chemicals and remember, ALWAYS add chemicals separately! NEVER mix them! Q: When is the best time to shock the pool? A: Nighttime. The sun can cause shock to lose its effectiveness in less than 3 hours. Q: How often should I run the filter? A: The more you run the filter the better. We recommend 8 or more hours per day: 5 hours during the day and 3 hours during night. Run the filter non-stop when the pool is green. Noon is when the sun hits the pool the hardest so set the timer to go on at 9:30 a.m. and off at 2:30 p.m. Then set the timer to go back on at 10:00 p.m. and off at 1:00 a.m. This is the best configuration to keep the pool clean and save electricity. |