Chemical Chart For Pools (2024)

FAQs

Chemical Chart For Pools? ›

A pool that is "balanced" has proper levels of pH, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness. These are: pH: 7.2-7.8, Total Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm, Calcium Hardness, 180-220 ppm and Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer): 30-50 ppm. Chlorine levels should remain constant in the 1-3 ppm range.

A pool that is "balanced" has proper levels of pH, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness. These are: pH: 7.2-7.8, Total Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm, Calcium Hardness, 180-220 ppm and Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer): 30-50 ppm. Chlorine levels should remain constant in the 1-3 ppm range.

The label states: Use 16 fluid ounces per 10,000 gallons of water. How much chemical do you add? Total Amount of Chemical to Add 16 ounces × (95,000 gallons 10,000 gallons) Total Amount of Chemical to Add 152 fluid ounces.

The simplest strategy is to follow them, remembering the two golden rules of adding chemicals: only add chemicals to a pool that is running, and only add chemicals to water, not water to chemicals.

With the exception of salt, you should never mix any types of chemicals and put them together, not even close to each other. Never want to mix acid with chemicals like stabilisers, chlorine and buffers. Salt can be added with acid.

Learn More About Balancing Your Pool

For safe and accurate results, you should always test in the following order: Start by testing alkalinity and making adjustments as needed. Next, test and adjust pH levels as needed. Third, test and adjust calcium hardness as needed.

Start with pH. Inexperienced pool owners often think that all you have to do is shock your swimming pool with chlorine, but the truth is that pH is the key. If your pH is not balanced, any other chemicals that you add will be ineffective.

A good chlorine level is between 1.0 and 4.0 parts per million (ppm), while the pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8. Together, they keep bad bacteria at bay: If pH goes up too high, chlorine's germ-killing power deflates.

Regardless of how frequently or what system you use to add chlorine to the water, the chlorine level should stay between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million (ppm) to maintain a healthy pool.

Should you happen to add an excessive amount of these chemicals, it can lead to various issues. These may include skin, eye, and respiratory irritations for swimmers, potential damage to the pool equipment, and, of course, less inviting swimming conditions overall.

Do I shock my pool before adding chemicals? ›

While shocking and adding algaecide is effective in getting rid of algae, it should not be done together. This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM.

Chlorine kills bacteria and prevents pool algae. Add chlorinating tablets or granules weekly to maintain a clean and clear pool. For salt pools, add high purity pool salt as well as chlorine products. Always maintain 1 – 4 PPM of Free Chlorine.

CHLORINE: Probably the best-known pool chemical, chlorine is a sanitiser that keeps algae and bacteria at bay. It comes in liquid, powder, and tablet forms. When water reacts with chlorine, it forms hydrochloric acid, which is the compound that fights bacteria.

Use the sanitiser first. It means that liquid chlorine and salt go in first. The next thing in the queue is the stabiliser, especially if it is the summertime and UV rays are more prominent. Let the pump and filter distribute the sanitiser for a few days.

Ideally, you should shock your pool at night, so the sun cannot interfere and destroy the active chemicals before they can do their job. Then, you can add your chlorine post-shock after the chlorine levels have fallen below 5 ppm.

It Should Not Be Done Together

This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM. Only then should you introduce algaecide to get the best results.

You should not add certain pool cleaning chemicals simultaneously because they can react and cause dangerous chemical reactions.

Start with pH. Inexperienced pool owners often think that all you have to do is shock your swimming pool with chlorine, but the truth is that pH is the key. If your pH is not balanced, any other chemicals that you add will be ineffective.