A Beginner’s Guide to Pool Chemicals
Keeping your pool water clean and safe requires the right balance of chemicals. For beginners, understanding pool chemicals can feel overwhelming, but with a few basics, you’ll be ready to maintain a sparkling pool. Here’s a simple guide to the most essential pool chemicals and what they do.
Chlorine
Chlorine is the most common pool sanitizer. It kills bacteria, algae, and other harmful microorganisms to keep the water safe. You can add chlorine in various forms, including liquid, granules, or tablets. Aim to keep chlorine levels between 1-3 parts per million (ppm). Regularly testing chlorine levels is essential, as too much can cause irritation, while too little can lead to cloudy water and bacteria growth.
pH Adjusters
The pH level of your pool water affects how comfortable it is for swimmers and how effective chlorine will be. pH is measured on a scale from 0-14, with 7 being neutral. A pool’s pH should be slightly basic, between 7.2 and 7.6. If your pH is too low (acidic), use a pH increaser like sodium carbonate. If it’s too high (basic), a pH decrease like sodium bisulfate will bring it down.
Alkalinity Increaser
Alkalinity acts as a buffer for pH, preventing sudden fluctuations. Low alkalinity can cause the pH to swing, making it harder to control. Aim for a total alkalinity level between 80-120 ppm. If the alkalinity is too low, add an alkalinity increaser (usually sodium bicarbonate) to stabilize the pH.
Calcium Hardness
Calcium hardness measures the amount of dissolved calcium in the water. If calcium levels are too low, pool surfaces can erode, while high calcium can lead to scaling and cloudy water. The ideal range is 200-400 ppm, depending on your pool type. If you need to increase calcium levels, add a calcium hardness increaser.
Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer)
Cyanuric acid, also known as a pool stabilizer or conditioner, helps protect chlorine from being broken down by the sun’s UV rays. If your pool is outdoors, this chemical is essential to maintaining chlorine levels, especially during sunny months. Aim for a cyanuric acid level of 30-50 ppm.
This post was written by a professional at Clear Tech Pools. Clear Tech Pools has expert Bradenton pool contractors. Our company was founded by local residents on the principles of hard work, exceptional customer service and a focused attitude. It is these qualities, along with our outstanding performance that keeps our customers satisfied. We have built, renovated and serviced thousands of pools in the area, and we have a long list of references available for all of our services upon request. Our staff of professional technicians have extensive training for fast and efficient service. We maintain our excellent reputation for quality by maintaining friendly relationships with our customers.
