The recommended waiting period after filling a new inground swimming pool before swimming in it is typically 24 to 48 hours.
Wait about 20 minutes after adding balancing chemicals to your newly filled pool, and you should be good to swim. Calcium chloride – If you have hard water issues, it's advised to wait about 2-4 hours before swimming after adding calcium chloride to soften your pool's water—or until one filter cycle has been completed.
A startup procedure is the 28-day process of caring for a new pool plaster finish after the pool is filled with water. During this time, you'll need to test your water regularly, maintain the chemical balance, brush the pool to remove plaster dust, and avoid using automated equipment.
After adding pool salt to your swimming pool, it is always recommended to wait for at least 20 to 45 minutes so that you can swim in the pool.
Add a clarifier to the water. The clarifier will help the filter to remove the very tiny particles that enter the pool in the filling process or that may remain following construction and installation. 5. Start the pump and filtration equipment and allow the water to circulate for 24 hours, if practical.
A pool sans chlorine is akin to a big puddle of murky water. And because of unrestrained algae growth, the pool wouldn't be all that visually appealing. To be fair, you could swim in a pool without chlorine and probably be just fine, but the health and safety risks would be much greater.
Shocking is crucial for removing any pathogens in the water and making a pool safe for swimming, but it involves using some heavy-duty chemicals, including chlorine. Going in too soon after a pool's been shocked can potentially cause skin, eye, and even lung problems.
You should wait 2–4 hours (or one full cycle through the filter) to swim from the moment you use calcium chloride in your pool. It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours. It is always best to test first!
Even from a health standpoint, it is simply not safe to operate a pool without some added “chemicals” to combat bacteria and contaminants in the water. A pool without chemicals is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Step 6: Turn on the Pool Filter and Test the Water
You're almost there! All you have to do now is get the filter up and running. Turn on the filter and run it for 12 to 24 hours to circulate the water before testing or adding chemicals (remember to use new testing strips and not expired ones).
Opening Day – Before the kids jump in for the new season, you should clean and shock your pool. Over the winter or during times of disuse, algae have a tendency to grow. Make sure the pool water is clean, clear, and healthy for your family before opening day. A party!
Make sure to rinse your hair and wash your swimsuit after you swim. Showering after you swim will keep your skin from becoming dry. You don't have to worry about picking up a germ, and you'll get rid of that chlorine smell. It only takes a few minutes to shower, so make sure you make it a priority.
Note: If you're filling an above ground pool for the first time or have recently replaced the liner and are refilling it, keep an eye on the liner as you fill the pool. Avoid filling the pool too fast to keep your liner taut and wrinkle-free.
1) What is the difference between chlorine and shock? Do I need to use both? Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.
But since tablets are the most common, we can say that the rule of thumb for how much chlorine to add is two 3-inch tablets per 10,000 gallons, or one 3-inch tablet per 5,000 gallons. The goal is to have a chlorine level at 1 to 3 parts per million (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.
The truth of the matter is that if swimmers enter the pool before the chemicals have had a chance to dilute and disperse, they could suffer skin and eye irritation. Ideally, it is best to do your chemical testing and balancing at a time when no one is going to use the pool.
“If a pool's interior is not brushed or an automatic pool cleaner isn't run, algae will cling to the surface and the water will eventually turn green. It will take a lot of work to get the water clean and clear again.”