Pool Care Information

3-Step Maintenance Program

Here's an overview on pool care in general with step-by-step guidelines.

An Aqua Chem maintenance program has 3 simple steps: Balance, Sanitize and Shock.

Following these basic steps will be well worth it – especially when you’re swimming in your clear, sparkling pool.

Step 1: Balance

When pool water is "balanced," it has the right pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness levels as listed in the chart below.

Maintaining the correct levels is vital because it:

• Improves product effectiveness, especially the bacteria-killing power of chlorinating products.
• Prevents etching of plaster surfaces and corrosion of metal equipment and accessories.
• Prevents the formation of scale that can damage pool equipment, stain surfaces and cloud the water.
• Prevents eye and skin irritation. back to top

Total Alkalinity

This refers to the concentration of several chemicals in your pool water. Although not the same as pH, proper total alkalinity does help stabilize pH. If your total alkalinity is too low, the pH level will be very sensitive and may suffer drastic swings. A high alkalinity level, in addition to contributing to cloudy water and scaling, can keep the pH level high.

Proper total alkalinity levels and testing frequency are listed below according to pool type:

If the total alkalinity level is too low, add Aqua Chem Alkalinity Plus. If your level is too high, add Aqua Chem pH Decreaser to lower the level. The next step in proper pool balance is to test and adjust the pH level.

For detailed product information, go to Specialty Products

pH

A measure of the level of acidity or basicity (alkaline) on a scale of 0 to 14. The ideal pH range for your pool water is between 7.2 and 7.6. pH is one of the most important factors in balancing your water. See the chart below:

As the chart indicates, you want a pH level between 7.2 and 7.6. Low pH levels can lead to corrosion of metal parts and equipment, etched plaster, eye and skin irritation, and wrinkled vinyl liners. If you see that your pH level is too low after testing your pool water, add Aqua Chem pH Add.

High pH levels can cause scale formation, cloudy water and short filter runs. If your pH level is too high, add pH Decreaser. If you are having difficulty maintaining a correct pH level, test and adjust the total alkalinity level if necessary.

For detailed product information, go to pH Adjusters

Calcium Hardness

How "hard" water is has to do with the amount of calcium and magnesium in it. Water hardness varies throughout the country. But no matter where you live, as pool water evaporates, calcium and magnesium are left behind, increasing water hardness.

If your calcium hardness level is too low, add Aqua Chem Calcium Hardness Increaser.

If the calcium hardness level is above 250 ppm, add Metal Stain & Scale Out to prevent possible scaling. If the water hardness is above 500 ppm, drain off some of the water and dilute with fresh fill water to lower the level, provided the fill water has a lower calcium level. Re-test and repeat if needed.

For detailed product information, go to Specialty Products

Step 2: Sanitize

The second step in pool care is sanitizing. Sanitizing pool water kills bacteria that can be harmful to bathers and also aids in the control of algae. You need to regularly check and maintain your sanitizer level because bacteria enter the pool continuously from many sources.

The most commonly used method of sanitizing pools is application of a chlorinating product. These products are available in stabilized and unstabilized forms. Of the two, stabilized chlorinating products are recommended because they contain a built-in shield that helps the chlorine level work longer by protecting it from sunlight burn-off. The continuous chlorine level should be kept between 1.0 – 3.0 ppm (parts per million) for proper sanitation. Stabilized chlorinating products come in several forms including 1" and 3" tablets, sticks, granules and floaters. Brominating products are also effective sanitizers and offer low-odor sanitation at higher temperatures, and are ideal for spa and hot tub applications.

There are a number of techniques for applying chlorinating products to pool water. With hand feeding, granular chlorinating products are fed directly into the pool using a scoop, cup or other clean, dry measuring device.

Floaters can be used in all types of pools to apply chlorinating tablets. They are particularly useful when going on vacation.

With skimmer chlorination, 3" chlorinating tablets or sticks are placed in the skimmer. As water flows over the tablets and through the circulation system, the tablets slowly erode and a chlorine level enters the pool. Tablets can also be used in an in-line chlorinator or feeder that can be part of a built-in filtration system.

For detailed product information, go to Sanitizers

Step 3: Shock

The third step of pool care is shocking. The addition of a "shock" product oxidizes (breaks down and destroys) chloramines. Chloramines are formed when nitrogen containing organic compounds, such as suntan oils, cosmetics, perspiration, etc., combine with the chlorine residual in your pool water. The resulting chloramines provide no sanitizing function and actually cause strong chlorine odor, cloudy water, eye irritation, and become food for bacteria and algae.

Chloramines, also known as combined chlorine, need to be broken down or destroyed (oxidized) to produce the active form of a chlorine residual in your pool (free available chlorine). Free available chlorine is the good form of chlorine that kills bacteria and algae.

In other words, shocking your pool on a weekly basis – or after heavy rain and use – will ensure that a higher level of the good form of chlorine residual (free available chlorine) is available to properly sanitize your pool, keeping it free of bacteria and algae. The correct level of free available chlorine is between 1.0 – 3.0 ppm (parts per million).

A shock treatment should be a part of your regularly scheduled pool care program, recommended as a weekly application, and more frequently after heavy use or rain.

For detailed product information, go to Shock Treatments