You should not add all pool chemicals at the same time. You should also avoid mixing pool chemicals together. Adding chemicals at one time can cause dangerous chemical reactions and serious injuries. In addition, it will make it difficult to balance the pool.
Conclusion. Adding pool chemicals in the correct order is a must when maintaining your swimming. Always make sure the pH and stabilizer levels are correct before adding more chlorine. These will have the biggest impact on maintaining clean and clear pool water.
NEVER COMBINE ANY CHEMICAL WITH ANY OTHER POOL CHEMICAL as this may cause poisonous chemical fumes or even explosions. Do not combine same types of chemicals from different manufacturers.
Two types of chlorine together can spontaneously combust or even explode. NEVER store, handle, or mix different chlorines together. ⚠︎ Never mix any type of chlorine with acid directly. The fumes are toxic and the reaction can be flammable.
Shock should never be added through the pool's skimmer hole because it could cause an explosion in the pipes, Wise said. "People need to remember these are dangerous chemicals that can produce poisoned gases, fires and explosions," Plant said. "They need to be handled with caution.
Separate Chlorine Products and Muriatic Acid
If chlorine and muriatic acid is mixed it will create toxic chlorine gas. The two chemicals should never be stored where they can possibly mix.
Don't mix them in the same container. In the pool it's okay because of the water volume (the products are diluted more). But NEVER mix them both in the same bucket or chlorinator.
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.
You should never add chlorine and muriatic acid at the same time. The muriatic acid will react with the chlorine in your pool and create a deadly gas called hydrochloric acid. You need to wait for a minimum of 30 minutes, after you add the acid, before adding any chlorine to your pool.
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.
Treating a pool requires balancing acidity and alkalinity and sustaining a pH of between 7.2 and 7.8. Along with chlorine, baking soda is an important part of your pool maintenance routine. There are many reasons to use baking soda in your pool to keep your water clean, clear, and safe for swimmers.
Rule of thumb is to do the PH first. And do not bother to drive to pool store to spend the extra money for a PH DECREASER. Buy a plain baking soda for 50cents a pound in Walmart! Chlorine will not work fully until your PH is in the proper range.
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!
GETTING RID OF ALGAE
Liquid Algaecide is a strong algae depressant used for the prevention of algae growth and the maintenance of sparkling water in pools. Algae growth is the main cause of “off” colours in your swimming pool water.
The presence of too much algaecide can lead to a foamy pool water. Small bubbles will begin to be produced as the water is pushed through the return jet and back into the pool. Do not confuse these bubbles and foam with another common problem, which is air in your pool lines.
Algae will remain in your pool after shock if you've had insufficient chlorine and an overabundance of metal elements in the pool water. Therefore, to start the cleaning process. Remove all the debris from the pool with a leaf net and then let the smaller dirt fragments settle.
Are chlorine and shock the same thing? SKIMMER NOTES: No. Chlorine and shock are not the same thing. Shock has a more intense chemical strength than the traditional chlorine sanitizers, and it also differs in how you should apply it to your swimming pool.
Pool chemicals should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Garages are generally not the best place to store pool chemicals unless they are locked in a storage bin or cabinet. Oxidizers and strong acids corrode metal and can cause heavy rusting of pool, electrical, and other equipment stored in the room.
Make sure that any outdoor storage of pool chemicals is as far away from your pool as possible and in a dry, covered area. Humidity or even small amounts of pool water can cause chemical reactions that could lead to dangerous fumes. Choose a location with ample ventilation for storing pool chemicals.
Whether you prefer liquid chlorine, powdered chlorine, or chlorine tablets, you should never mix the types or brands of chlorine you're using.
Chlorine agents release chlorine into pools when mixed with water. Chlorine agents are oxidizers and release oxygen during reactions with other chemicals. This creates an explosive environment and can accelerate a fire.
Granular swimming pool chlorine (calcium hypochlorite) and brake fluid (polyethylene glycol) react violently when mixed together, producing a fierce fireball.