Adding in swimming pool chemicals can be a bit of a chore, but if you ignore it, it can be detrimental to the health of the pool water, damage your pool equipment, and cost you more money on chemicals in the long run. Follow these simple steps to correctly add the different types of chemicals to the pool.

First things first, when adding any chemical to the pool, always make sure your pump is running, and automatic cleaner is removed. Having the pump running helps to distribute the chemicals throughout the pool and removing equipment such as pool cleaners helps ensure that they last longer.

TIP: Always add chemical to water, never water to chemical.

Alkalinity Increaser

Mix the desired amount of Alkalinity Increaser in a bucket of pool water and broadcast directly into the pool spreading evenly.

TIP: If you need to add alkalinity increaser as well as pH increaser/decreaser, add alkalinity increaser day 1 and pH increaser/decreaser on day 2 as Alkalinity increaser will affect your pH level.

pH Increaser/Decreaser

Mix the desired amount into a bucket of pool water and broadcast into the pool. Be careful not to inhale the fumes and avoid contact with other pool equipment. The dosage requirements of pH decreaser is based on changing your pH level by 1 decimal point. In other words, if your pH level is 7.8 and you want to reduce it to 7.2, you need to reduce the level by 6 decimal points.

For pH Increaser, use the chart on the pack. If your pH level is between 6.5 – 6.8, and your pool size is between 20 000L – 40 000L, you would add 230g of pH Increaser.

TIP: High pH levels block out the effective performance of chlorine. Even with good chlorine levels, if your pH is too high, your pool will go cloudy or green.

Stabiliser (Cyanuric Acid or Pool Sunscreen)

Stabiliser protects your chlorine against the sun’s UV rays. The correct stabiliser level (cyanuric acid) extends the life of chlorine by up to 50%. Do not let the levels climb above 50ppm, as high levels block our chlorine and it is difficult to reduce levels.

When adding Stabiliser, clean the filter, mix the desired amount into a bucket of pool water and broadcast into the pool.

TIP: Do not clean filter for at least 3 days after application to ensure the stabiliser has fully dissolved.

Chlorine
  • Liquid Chlorine: Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6. Mix the chlorine in a bucket of pool water and broadcast over the pool.
  • Stabilised Chlorine: Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6. For vinyl or fiberglass pools dissolve granules in a bucket of pool water and broadcast over the pool. For all other pools sprinkle around the pool (especially on algae if present). Brush after 15 minutes.
  • Unstablised Chlorine: Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6. Mix the chlorine in a bucket of pool water. Let stand for 2 hours. Pour the liquid into the pool. Discard the residue.

TIP: Shocking the pool after a busy weekend of swimming with a lot of people in the pool is a great way to help the pool rebalance after a high bather load.

Calcium

Maintaining Total Hardness at 200-500ppm protects pool equipment, water is less aggressive, water has more sparkle and water balance is easier to maintain.

If Total Hardness levels are below 200ppm add Calcium Increaser. Ensure that pH levels are between 7.2-7.6. Dissolve the calcium Increaser in a bucket of water and pour around the pool with the pump running.

Note: Mineral pools will have a higher total hardness level due to the use of Magnesium. (Calcium and Magnesium levels combine to form Total Hardness).

TIP: Another way to add calcium to your water is to add the required amount into your pool scoop and slowly pull through the water until there is no residue left.

Algaecides

Algaecides are used to prevent and treat the growth of algae in swimming pools.

Brush the pool to agitate the algae. This helps the algaecide enter the algae. Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6. Get chlorine levels between 1-3ppm. Wait 2 hours before adding algaecide. Mix the algaecide in a bucket of water and pour around the pool. Do not swim for 24 hours. Vacuum the pool 24-48 hours after application to remove dead algae.

TIP: Remove leaves and organic material from the water as soon as possible, as these are the main source of algae infestation.

Clarifiers

Clarifiers and flocculants are used to remove cloudiness from a pool. Even clean pools can benefit from clarifiers as they make your pool sparkle.

Backwash if you have a sand filter or clean the cartridge if you have a cartridge filter. Mix in a bucket of pool water and broadcast over the pool. Run filter for around 12 hours. Do not swim for 2 hours. Backwash again and vacuum to waste if needed.

TIP: Make sure your filter has been cleaned before adding a clarifier. Add a small dose regularly to keep your pool sparkling.

Phosphate Remover

Algae live off phosphates which is the main reason we want them out of the pool.

Backwash or clean cartridge. Shake the bottle thoroughly and pour Phosphate Remover into the skimmer. Run the filter for 24 hours. After 48 hours backwash sand filters or clean cartridges in cartridge filters. It is normal for the pool to go a little cloudy initially, but this will clear quickly.

TIP: Apply a low weekly dosage to maintain phosphate level below 0.125ppm

Salt

Salt is only added to pools with a salter water chlorinator. The Salt chlorinator converts the salt into chlorine and the chlorine sanitises your pool.

Pour salt around the pool and brush until dissolved. Do not leave mounds of salt at the bottom of the pool as this might cause staining the pool. Do not swim until salt is dissolved.

TIP: Add the salt last of all, as the brushing will help to mix any other added chemicals or assist in brushing algae from the walls and floor of your pool.

Now you know how to correctly add any chemical to the pool, but if you need some extra help, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 1800 625 123 for advice on what products are best suited to your needs. We are here to help make pool care easy and affordable.