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.
Do-Not's. As for the 'do-not's,' you should never add water to chemicals, instead chemicals should be added to water. In the industry, people use the acronym AAA (always add acid) to remember this rule. Never pour chemicals too quickly or mix them together.
Generally, after shocking a pool, you'll need to wait anywhere from 24 to 48 hours before it's safe to swim again. This time frame can vary based on the specific chemicals used and how much was added. Always check the pool's chlorine levels and follow the guidelines provided by the chemicals you used.
Chlorinating agents like Cal Hypo and Trichlor should not be mixed together under any circumstance. Putting them in the same feeder can cause an explosion. After you add Calcium Hypochlorite, you will need to wait at least 24 hours before adding chemicals. This could alter their pH.
Can I Add All Pool Chemicals At The Same Time? No. 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.
Chlorine & Acid
Don't ever shock the pool immediately after adding acid to the water. Also, never add acid to the pool when chlorine levels are high, such as after you've shocked the pool. Wait at least 4 hours or more between applications.
Brush after Adding Chemicals: Many powdered or granular pool chemicals don't dissolve right away when added to the pool water. Brushing helps dissolve and disperse the chemicals so that they aren't able to stain, scale, or etch the interior surface.
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.
Exposure to over-chlorinated water can provoke eye and skin irritation, lung irritation, and asthma. In addition to being bad for your health, the excess-chlorinated pool can eventually become dangerous. High chlorine levels tend to lower the pH level of the water, making it more acidic.
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.
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. The ideal pH is between 7.4 and 7.6.
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 hypochlorous acid, which is the compound that fights bacteria.
Because pH and alkalinity adjustments affect one another, you should always correct the total alkalinity before pH. This is because proper total alkalinity will act as a buffer for pH, helping to prevent fluctuations in pH levels.
It is a good idea to give your pool a thorough brushing and vacuuming before shocking the pool. This will prevent any algae or bacteria from clinging to the pool walls, as well as help your filtration system remove the extra debris. With the extra contaminants out of the way, your chlorine can work most efficiently.
“Can I Shock My Pool with Bleach?” Yes, you can use bleach to shock your pool. But depending on the size of your pool, you'll need to use a lot of it.
Chlorine Tablets for your Pool
The time required to safely sanitize the pool with tablets alone is far greater than that of liquid chlorine. What you pay for convenience in the tablet, you ultimately sacrifice in timing should you let the pool water fall too far below recommended pH level.
The acceptable range for pool water pH is 7.2-7.8, and the ideal pool pH is between 7.4 and 7.6. Water below a pH of 7.2 is too acidic, stinging your eyes, damaging pool liners and corroding equipment. Water above 7.8 is too alkaline and can cause skin irritation, cloudy water, and scale buildup.
Begin the pool start-up process by adding some scale or stain preventative before any other chemical. If your pool consists of new plaster, this step should always go first. Make sure that the water is properly tested to determine how much chemicals you should add.
First things first, when adding any chemical to the pool, always make sure your pump is running, and automatic cleaner is removed. Having the pump running helps to distribute the chemicals throughout the pool and removing equipment such as pool cleaners helps ensure that they last longer.
Vacuuming removes debris and algal growth from the walls and floor of the pool and should be performed before shocking the pool water. Vacuuming before shocking allows the chlorine to be more effective in disinfecting and clearing up the water and breaking down skin and nose irritating chloramines.
Adding too much muriatic acid to your pool can be harmful. It can lower the pH levels excessively, making the water too acidic. This can cause skin irritations, eye discomfort, and damage to pool equipment such as ladders, railings, and metal fixtures.
Typically, you should wait up to seven days before swimming. There are different factors to consider, such as waiting for the pool's plaster to harden.
Be sure to test your pH levels after the hyper-chlorination treatment, and slowly add baking soda to your pool water, if needed, to get to between 7.2 and 7.8. Higher pH levels can lead to cloudiness.