E-Z Pool Water Chemistry

Daily Pool Operation

1. Pool Filter should run at least 8 to 10 hours per day (24 hours per day is best). Set your pool timer or remember to run the pool manually if you don’t have a timer. If you are not running your pool 24 hours per day, it is best to have it running during the daylight hours (instead of night). 
2. Make sure your skimmer baskets are empty and clear of leaves or other debris. 
3. Chlorine must be added to the pool daily in one of the following ways: 
   • Best method is to use a Chlorine Floater with Slow Dissolving Chlorine Tabs inside it. Keep Floater in pool at all times and refill it weekly or as needed.
   • Next best method is to use an Automatic Chlorinator. Make sure the unit is full and that the dial is set to a level that gives you a good daily chlorine reading depending on how long you run your system.
   • Next best method is to place 3 Inch Slow Dissolving Stabilized Chlorine Tablets in the skimmers once per week (4-6 tablets are normal for 16x32 pool). 
   • Next best method is to manually add either Granular Chlorine or Quick Chlorine Tabs to pool skimmer every day. Don’t forget !!!
   • All methods of adding chlorine to the pool have their positive and negative aspects.  All in all, the simply floating chlorine floater is a time tested method and ensures that you ALWAYS have a good chlorine level.  Sometimes simplest is the best.

Weekly Pool Maintenance

1. Completely backwash filter (see How to Backwash a DE Filter or How to Backwash a Sand Filter).
2. Test water for Chlorine, pH and Alkalinity.
3. Adjust pH and Alkalinity as needed.
4. Add Chlorine to pool (see Daily Pool Operation).
5. Vacuum pool floor and walls if needed.
6. Shock pool and add Algaecide.
7. Check and adjust water level as needed. Water should be half way up the skimmers.

Basic Water Chemistry Terms

• CHLORINE - Is acting as the main sanitizer to kill algae and bacteria in the pool water. The level should be between 2.0 and 3.0 on your test kit. During hot weather, high readings are better.
• pH - Is the level of how acidic the pool water is. You must maintain a good pH level or your chlorine will not work effectively. The level should be between 7.2 and 7.6.
• ALKALINITY - Is a pH stabilizer. It helps to keep the pH within the proper levels so that the chlorine can work effectively. It reduces pH “bounce”. The level should be between 100 - 150.
• STABILIZER - Also known as Cyanuric Acid, this chemical forms a protective bond around the chlorine, making it more resistant to being burned off by the sun. Makes chlorine tablets last longer. Stabilizer levels should be checked and adjusted each season. Also, pools should be stabilized whenever a large amount of fresh water has been added. The level should be 35 ppm and is adjusted by adding Stabilizer / Conditioner (Cyanuric Acid).
• REMEMBER - Good water chemistry can only be achieved when all four of these chemical levels are kept constant. Good Alkalinity helps keep the pH in the right range so that the chlorine can do its job properly. Stabilizer keeps more of the chlorine in the water instead of being wasted !