The Ultimate Guide to Swimming Pool Chemicals for Clean, Safe, Sparkling Water
Introduction
Maintaining a swimming pool can seem complex at first, especially when it comes to using and understanding pool chemicals...
What Are Swimming Pool Chemicals and Why Are They Important?
Swimming pool chemicals are essential for maintaining clean, healthy pool water...
1. Pool Chlorine Sanitizers: Essential Chemicals for a Safe Pool
Relax Multipool Chlorine Tablets (Stabilized Chlorine, Algaecide & Clarifier)
What They Are: Chlorine tablets are stabilized with cyanuric acid (CYA)with additional algaecide and clarifier to help keep levels topped up...
Clear & Safe Granular Chlorine
What It Is: Fast-dissolving granular chlorine is great for quick adjustments or shock treatments...
What Chlorine Does: Chlorine is a powerful sanitizer that keeps swimming pools clean and safe by killing harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in the water. When added to pool water, chlorine creates a mild acid called hypochlorous acid, which is an effective disinfectant that destroys bacteria, such as E. Coli and Salmonella, as well as viruses that can cause stomach bugs. Chlorine also helps control algae growth and removes organic debris like sweat, body oils, and other contaminants that can build up over time. This ensures that the pool water stays clear, odour-free, and comfortable for swimmers. The effectiveness of chlorine depends on maintaining the right balance and pH in the water, so regular testing is important..
How to Use Chlorine:
To use chlorine effectively in your pool, first, decide on the form you’ll use—chlorine tablets or granules. Start by testing the pool’s chlorine level and pH using a test kit or test strips, as this will help you know how much chlorine is needed. The ideal free chlorine level should typically be between 1-3 ppm (parts per million). For regular maintenance, add chlorine tablets in a floating dispenser, skimmer or automatic chlorinator; these dissolve slowly to maintain a steady chlorine level. If the pool needs a quick boost, such as after heavy usage or rain, adding a dose of granular chlorine can help quickly raise chlorine levels. Make sure to follow product instructions for dosages and safety. Always store chlorine in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight, and never mix different types of chlorine, as this can create dangerous chemical reactions. Regularly test your pool to keep chlorine balanced, and enjoy sparkling, safe water all season long. During the Summer, when the pool is being used daily, it is best to test daily, too. This will hel you prevent your pool going green.
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2. Pool pH and Alkalinity: Balancers for Comfortable, Clear Water
pH Increaser (Soda Ash)
Relax pH Increaser (Soda Ash)
What It Does: pH increaser raises the water’s pH level to prevent acidity, which can cause corrosion and irritation.
How to Use: If pH falls below 7.2, add pH increaser. Dissolve it in water before adding to the pool, aiming to keep pH in the 7.2-7.6 range.
pH Reducer (Dry Acid)
What It Does: pH reducer lowers pH if it’s too high, preventing issues like cloudy water and reduced chlorine effectiveness.
How to Use: Add pH reducer if pH levels are above 7.6. Pre-dissolve in water and pour around the pool edges.
Alkalinity Increaser (Sodium Bicarbonate)
What It Does: Alkalinity increaser helps buffer pH levels, keeping them stable between tests.
How to Use: Test total alkalinity weekly and add alkalinity increaser if it’s below 80 ppm. Aim for an alkalinity level of 80-120 ppm for a stable pool environment.
Calcium Hardness Increaser
What It Does: This raises calcium levels to prevent plaster erosion in concrete or plaster pools.
How to Use: Test monthly and add calcium hardness increaser if levels are below 200 ppm. The target range is 200-400 ppm for most pools.
3. Algaecides: Preventing and Controlling Pool Algae
Relax Algae Eliminator
What It Is: This non-foaming algaecide is a weekly addition that prevents algae from growing in your pool.
How to Use: Add weekly, pouring it around the pool’s edge to ensure it disperses. This is especially important during hot weather.
Relax LongLife Winterlong Algaecide
What It Is: A concentrated algaecide that provides long-term protection, perfect for vacation times or pools with frequent algae problems.
How to Use: Apply at the start of the season or as needed for extended algae control.
Relax Winter Cleaner Concentrate Algaecide
What It Is: Relax Cleaner Winter (Concentrate) is a concentrated solution containing Algicide, and Stain & Scale Inhibitor which also has the ability to clarify pool water and prevent staining. Designed to keep your pool free from algae over the winter period. This product can be used in conjunction with most swimming pool sanitisers.
How to Use: Prior to applying the Relax concentrate cleaner winter you should increase the chlorine level to 6ppm and adjust the pH to 7.6. If the winter is mild, further treatment may be necessary
Relax Phosphate Remover
What It Is: Phosphates feed algae, so removing them helps prevent algae blooms.
How to Use: Test for phosphates bi-weekly or if you notice recurring algae. Add phosphate remover if levels exceed 100 ppb.
4. Pool Shock Treatments: The Key to Clear, Sparkling Water
Relax Shock Chlorine
What It Is: A powerful dose of chlorine designed for deep disinfection. This should be carried out every once or two weeks, depending on pool use and bather load. Quite simply, the more the pool is used, it is likely the more you will need to shock the pool.
How to Use: Add shock chlorine weekly or after heavy pool use, pre-dissolving in water before pouring around the pool’s edge. Keep the pump running and avoid swimming for 24 hours.
Non-Chlorine Shock
What It Is: An oxidizing agent that breaks down organic waste without increasing chlorine levels.
How to Use: Use non-chlorine shock if you need a quick refresh or before swimming. It’s fast-acting, so you can swim shortly after adding.
5. Clarifiers and Flocculants: Combatting Cloudy Pool Water
Pool Clarifier
What It Does: Clarifiers clump together tiny particles, making it easier for your filter to clear the water.
How to Use: If water looks hazy, add clarifier to the pool and run the pump continuously until it clears.
Flocculant
What It Does: Flocculants bind particles, settling them at the pool’s bottom for easy vacuuming.
How to Use: For murky water, add flocculant, turn off the pump, and let particles settle overnight. Vacuum the next morning for a deep clean.
6. Weekly Pool Maintenance Routine: Your Go-To Schedule for Clean Water
Sticking to a weekly routine is the simplest way to keep your pool sparkling.
Step 1: Test and Balance
Test the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Adjust pH to 7.2-7.6, alkalinity to 80-120 ppm, and calcium hardness to 200-400 ppm.
Step 2: Sanitize and Shock
Use chlorine tablets or bromine to keep sanitizer levels stable. Shock weekly to break down contaminants.
Step 3: Prevent Algae
Add Relax Algae Eliminator weekly and test phosphates. Use Long Life Algaecide for extended algae control.
Step 4: Clarify Cloudiness
Use a clarifier or flocculant if water appears cloudy.
Step 5: Filter and Clean Surfaces
Skim debris, brush surfaces, and check the filter for backwashing. Clean filter monthly or as needed for best results.
Step 6: Stabilizer Check
Test cyanuric acid (CYA) monthly, keeping levels between 30-50 ppm for stabilized chlorine.
Conclusion
By following this guide and establishing a weekly routine, you’ll enjoy a clean, safe, and sparkling pool all season long.