What pool chemicals should not be added at the same time?

Author: Dr. Ayla Ferry II  |  Last update: Friday, May 30, 2025

Never want to mix acid with chemicals like stabilisers, chlorine and buffers. Salt can be added with acid. Due to the nature of the acid, its low pH will react with anything with a higher pH such as chlorine - similar to when you mix vinegar and bicarb soda (it bubbles and foams up).

What is the correct order to add pool chemicals?

The Right Order to Add Pool Chemicals
  1. Add Alkalinity Adjuster. The first thing you need to do while adding pool chemicals in order is to balance the water's alkalinity. ...
  2. Bring in a pH Adjuster. The next order to add pool chemicals entails balancing the pH level. ...
  3. Manage Calcium Hardness.

How long should I wait between adding different pool chemicals?

When adding pool chemicals, waiting around 10 to 20 minutes between additions is recommended. It's important to understand that pool chemicals are made of strong gasses and concentrated materials. Mixing these or adding them too quickly back-to-back could potentially cause unintended consequences, including explosions.

What happens when you add shock and algaecide at the same time?

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.

What is the golden rule when using pool water chemicals?

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.

What's the RIGHT Order to Add POOL CHEMICALS?

Do you add algaecide or shock first?

Let the shock try to fight the algae first. Add algaecide about 24 hours after shock to finish the job and prevent future algae blooms.

What pool chemicals should not be stored together?

Each compressed gas should have its own separate storage/feed area. Chlorine and ammonia should be stored separately from each other, as well as from all other chemical groups.

What happens if you put too much shock in your pool?

Is it possible to shock your pool too much? Yes—excessive shocking of your pool will keep it at an elevated chlorine level. This will cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as excessive wear and tear on your pool filter system, including excessive corrosion of all metal parts.

What is the slam method in a pool?

The “SLAM” process is similar to “shocking” and is necessary when the chlorine level in the pool remains lower than required for a certain period of time, thus allowing algae to grow. It requires the use of a high concentration of liquid/powder chlorine to raise the chlorine level quickly.

Can you put clarifier and shock at the same time?

NEVER mix any chemicals together before adding to the pool. Generally speaking, almost all pool chemicals are incompatible in some way.

What pool chemicals can I add at the same time?

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.

Should you adjust pH or alkalinity first?

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.

Should you run pool pump after adding chemicals?

Even when you add routine chemicals to your pool, it's smart to run the pump immediately afterward to properly disperse them.

When adding chemicals to a pool what rule must always be followed?

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.

Do I add chlorine or shock first?

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.

What order do you add pool closing chemicals?

First, don't add everything at once, or add everything except the shock - which should be added separately, either before or after, by at least 8 hours. Second, add phosphate removers, enzymes or stain & scale chemicals before you lower the water level, so you can circulate the chemicals for at least 8 hours.

What is the Ghost Ball method in pool?

The “ghost ball” is basically an imaginary ball.

I'm going to draw a line from the center of the corner pocket into the center of the three, and then I'm going to put the five ball lined up with that line. That means the center of the five is still in line there.

What chlorine level is considered shock?

The typical chlorine level in a pool should be between 2-3 ppm the aim when you shock a pool is to raise it much higher to over 10ppm which is guaranteed to kill any algae and bacteria that is in your pool water.

Should I backwash my pool after shocking?

Yes you can backwash the morning after shocking. My rule of thumb is back wash until clean, rinse 10 seconds, backwash again, rinse 10 seconds, Obviously turning off the system between each step.

What is the ideal pH level for a pool?

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.

Why does my pool look worse after shock?

If the pool water is hazy even after the pool shock, it is an indication of imbalanced levels of pH and total alkalinity. Usually the high level of pH causes calcium accumulation in the pool, affecting the clarity of the water. The high pH makes the water basic/alkaline and the low pH turns it acidic.

Which two chemicals should not be stored together?

For example, acetic acid and ammonium hydroxide both start with “A” but are incompatible with each other, and should not be stored together.

Is there an order to adding pool chemicals?

Make sure to follow all manufacturers' instructions carefully when adding any type of chemical to the pool. 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.

Can I add alkalinity and shock at the same time?

We only wait an hr between adding chemicals to ours. You really want to make sure your alkalinity and pH are in range first, otherwise you are wasting your shock.

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