Pool Care

Opening & Closing Your Pool

The opening and closing (or winterizing) of your above ground vinyl pool can be made easy with the right products and procedures. Aqua Chem offers 2 sizes of start-up kits to aid in starting a new pool or opening one for the season.

Directions for use are listed below as well as pool closing recommendations.

A Quick Guide to Opening Your Pool with Aqua Chem^® Pool Start-Up Kits

For these products and any other product, please refer to the label directions for more detail on proper application, storage and handling instructions. Always use a clean, dry, measuring scoop/spoon for each chemical addition below.

Start-Up Kit - For Small Pools up to 2000 Gallons

• Aqua Chem Small Pool Sanitizer^®
• Aqua Chem Shock Plus^®
• Aqua Chem 2-way Test Strips
• Measuring scoop

Your Aqua Chem Small Pool Kit contains everything you need to start enjoying your new swimming pool. On your next visit to your Aqua Chem retailer, you will need to purchase the following Aqua Chem products to continue to get the best results in your pool.

• Aqua Chem Total Alkalinity Plus
• Aqua Chem pH Add
• Aqua Chem Calcium Hardness Increaser

• Aqua Chem pH Decreaser
• Aqua Chem Liquid Algaecide ...or...
• Aqua Chem Algaecide Plus

• A thermometer
• A skimmer with 2-foot handle
• Aqua Chem 6-Way Test Strips

Initial Start-Up to Sanitize

• Fill your above ground vinyl pool following the manufacturer's directions.
• Start the pool equipment following your manufacturer's directions.
• Add 2.5 level teaspoons per 500 gallons of Aqua Chem Small Pool Sanitizer.
• Circulate pool water, with pump on, for approximately 30 minutes.
• Test water using test strips provided to determine if the free chlorine residual is 1-3 PPM. If necessary, repeat the initial Aqua Chem Small Pool Sanitizer treatment at 10-20 minute intervals until the free chlorine level reaches 1-3 PPM.
• If the test strips indicate the free chlorine residual is above 3 PPM, please do not swim until the free chlorine residual is below 3 PPM.
• Once a week and after heavy use/swimming or a heavy rainfall, add 3.5 teaspoons of Aqua Chem Shock Plus per 500 gallons to the swimming pool to shock the pool water.

Start-Up Kit - For Larger Pools Over 2000 Gallons

• Aqua Chem 1" Stabilized Tablets*
• Aqua Chem Shock Plus^®
• Aqua Chem 4-way Test Strips
• Measuring scoop

Your Aqua Chem Large Pool Kit (Internal Link: 5.1.2.2 - Product - Start Up Kit AGP Large.doc) contains everything you need to start enjoying your new swimming pool. On your next visit to your Aqua Chem retailer, you will need to purchase the following Aqua Chem products to continue to get the best results in your pool.

• Aqua Chem Alkalinity Plus
• Aqua Chem pH Add
• Aqua Chem Calcium Hardness Increaser

• Aqua Chem pH Decreaser
• Aqua Chem Liquid Algaecide ...or...
• Aqua Chem Algaecide Plus

• A pool thermometer
• A skimmer
• Aqua Chem 6-Way Test Strips

Initial Start-Up to Sanitize

• Add 2 Aqua Chem 1" Stabilized Tablet to your floater per 1000 gallons of pool water. Place the floater in the pool. If you did not purchase the recommended floater with the coupon provided, you may temporarily place these tablets in your pool skimmer. Note: Prolonged use of tablets in the skimmer may damage your pool equipment and/or void your pool warranty.
• Circulate pool water, with pump on, for approximately 1-2 hours.
• Test water using test strips provided to determine if the free chlorine residual is 1-3 PPM. If necessary, adjust the feeder or add additional chlorinating tablets to obtain the desired chlorine residual level.
• If the test strips indicate the free chlorine residual is above 3 PPM, please do not swim until the free chlorine residual is 3 PPM or below.
• Once a week and after heavy use/swimming or a heavy rainfall, add 1.25 ounces of Aqua Chem Shock Plus per 1000 gallons to the swimming pool to shock the pool water.

Pool Closing (Winterizing)

For closing or winterizing smaller pools, it is recommended that you follow your pool manufacturer's instructions for closing. These instructions usually involve taking down and storing the pool for the winter months. If you choose to leave the pool assembled and full, add Shock with Clarifier following label directions with the pump running. Brush up any undissolved product. Circulate one hour, then add an initial dose of a 50% or higher concentration algaecide. (Follow label instructions for winterization.)