If you have a pool, you’ll probably need to spend about $87 a month on pool chemicals. While keeping up with pool cleaning is a good start to keeping your water clean, it might not get your pool water looking as crystal clear as it should.
You may just need to adjust what swimming pool chemicals you are using.
We’re here to discuss what chemicals you should use and how you should know if they’re right for your pool and family. Let’s get started.
Importance of Pool Water Testing
Before you begin adding pool chemicals to your pool, you should test the water. This will help you figure out what is and is not in the water, giving you a better picture of what you actually need to add to balance it.
You should measure the pH levels of the water. You should aim for your pool water to be between 7.4 and 7.6.
Alkalinity buffers the pH level, preventing spikes in either acidity or basicity. Ideally, your water should measure between 100 and 150 parts per million (ppm).
Sanitizers are helpful in pool maintenance, but you want to make sure the levels you have are safe and effective.
Each of these types of sanitizers and pool systems has different optimal levels. Here are the levels you want to aim for:
- Chlorine pools: 1 – 3 ppm
- Bromine pools: 3 – 5 ppm
- Saltwater pools: 0.5 ppm of chlorine
Finally, you should measure the calcium hardness of your pool water. This level should be between 175 and 225 ppm. If you have a concrete or plaster pool, it should be 200 to 275 ppm.
After you measure these levels, you can start to choose pool chemical additives that will help keep your family’s pool safe.
Total Alkalinity Adjusters
It’s important to keep your total alkalinity within the ideal range as it also affects the pH of the water. Because of this, it is the first chemical you should add.
If your total alkalinity is too low, you’ll need to use an alkalinity increaser. The most common one is sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). On the other hand, a decrease in the total alkalinity can be achieved using muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate (dry acid).
pH Balancers
Sodium bisulfate and muriatic acid are also used to decrease the pH of your pool water.
If you need to increase the pool pH level, add a pH increase like sodium carbonate (soda ash). You won’t need a ton of this.
Chlorine
Chlorine is the most common type of sanitizer for pools.
If you are using chlorine as your sanitizer, you’ll also want to check your cyanuric acid (CYA) levels. Ideally, they should be between 30 and 50 ppm. This will help prevent sunlight from burning away the chlorine you add.
You can usually find CYA in pool shocks. However, sometimes you may need to add more.
Stabilized vs Unstabilized
Stabilized chlorine may be a good option if you want to prevent the sun from harming your chlorine. It essentially acts as sunscreen for your pool.
You can choose from sodium dichlor which has a neutral pH level and is 60% available chlorine. This is also resistant to warm water temperatures, so it’s a good choice for hot tubs.
Or you can choose sodium trichlor, which is the standard form of chlorine tablets. This has a slow-release mechanism, and 90% chlorine availability.
Unstabilized chlorine is an option. However, you’ll need to use it more often and in higher concentrations in order to keep it effective. This is because it does not have CYA in it.
Form
You can purchase chlorine in a few different forms. You can choose the method that is the most cost-effective and easy to use for you.
The liquid form is the most popular, oldest, and inexpensive option. It is very easy to use as you just pour the correct amount into the water. It is also fast-acting, making it a good way to sanitize your pool immediately.
Solid chlorine is available in pucks, tablets, or granules. It is a bit more expensive but lasts longer.
With these forms, you place them in a pool chlorinator or floating dispenser. They’ll slowly release the chlorine over time.
Bromine
Chlorine is highly effective at killing microbes that may be in your pool. However, some people are worried about the possible negative effects of chlorine. This is due to the release of chloramines, as well as possible dangers to children who have allergies of asthma.
Luckily, there are some other options. Many people have begun using bromine as a sanitizer. It is just as effective in sanitizing pool water, however, bromine doesn’t irritate the skin and eyes the same way as chlorine.
Bromine does cost more than chlorine, However, it is more stable and doesn’t require as much testing. It is especially effective in indoor pools as UV rays can reduce the effectiveness of bromine.
Pool Shock
If you need to refresh your pool water, a pool shock can help sanitize and clean it. You’ll mix one pound of pool shock with five gallons of warm water. Then, simply pour the mixture around the pool, with most of it going in the deep end.
After six hours, you should test your pool water and see if you need to make any adjustments.
Calcium Hardness Adjusters
Calcium hardness tells you how hard or soft the water in your pool is.
High calcium hardness can lead your pool water to become too basic and saturated with dissolved particles. The water will be cloudy, and you’ll probably develop scaling problems that can clog your pool equipment.
Unfortunately, the only way to lower your calcium hardness level once it’s too high is to drain the water and replace it with fresh water.
On the other hand, if your water is too soft, it may become corrosive to all of the parts of your pool. If your test shows calcium hardness levels that are too low, you’ll need to add calcium chloride.
Keep Your Family Safe with the Right Swimming Pool Chemicals
Choosing the right swimming pool chemicals to add to your pool water will keep your water clean and your family safe and happy. Make sure to test your water on a regular basis and add the correct chemicals when needed.
Are you ready to start enjoying summer with your own custom pool? Contact Sahara Construction & Custom Pools for a free consultation.
