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To properly maintain a pool, you will need several chemicals. Here is a list of some common pool chemicals and their uses:
Chlorine:
Chlorine is a common chemical used to sanitize swimming pools and kill bacteria and other contaminants in the water. It is added to the pool water in the form of tablets, granules, or liquid, and the chlorine levels should be kept between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm).
Chlorine is effective at killing bacteria and other contaminants, but it can also be harsh on skin and eyes, and the strong chlorine smell can be overpowering. To help reduce the effects of chlorine, some people add additional chemicals to their pool, such as stabilizers or enzymes, which help to reduce the amount of chlorine needed and improve the overall water quality.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using chlorine and to regularly test the chlorine levels to ensure that they are within the proper range.
pH Increaser and Decreaser:
pH increaser and decreaser are chemicals that are used to adjust the pH level of the water in a swimming pool. The pH level is a measure of the acidity or basicity of the water, with a pH of 7 being neutral, a pH less than 7 being acidic, and a pH greater than 7 being basic. The ideal pH range for a swimming pool is between 7.2 and 7.8.
pH increaser, also known as soda ash or sodium carbonate, is used to raise the pH of the water if it becomes too acidic. This can help to prevent corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment, and can also make the water more comfortable for swimmers by reducing eye and skin irritation.
pH decreaser, also known as muriatic acid or hydrochloric acid, is used to lower the pH of the water if it becomes too basic. This can help to prevent scaling on pool surfaces and equipment, and can also help to improve the effectiveness of chlorine.
It is important to regularly test the pH level of the water and to use pH increaser or decreaser as needed to maintain the proper pH range. It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using these chemicals, as using too much or too little can be harmful to swimmers and equipment.
Alkalinity Increaser:
Alkalinity increaser, also known as sodium bicarbonate or baking soda, is a chemical that is used to raise the total alkalinity of the water in a swimming pool. Total alkalinity is a measure of the water’s ability to resist changes in pH. The ideal total alkalinity range for a swimming pool is between 80 and 120 ppm (parts per million).
High total alkalinity can help to stabilize the pH level of the water, which can help to prevent pH fluctuations that can cause irritation to swimmers’ eyes and skin and can also damage pool surfaces and equipment. Low total alkalinity, on the other hand, can cause the pH level to fluctuate, which can lead to the same problems.
To use alkalinity increaser, add the required amount to the pool water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then circulate the water for at least an hour to ensure that the chemical is evenly distributed.
Calcium Hardness Increaser:
Calcium hardness increaser is a chemical that is used to increase the calcium hardness of the water in a swimming pool. Calcium hardness is a measure of the amount of calcium dissolved in the water. The ideal calcium hardness range for a swimming pool is between 200 and 400 ppm (parts per million).
Low calcium hardness can cause the water to be aggressive and can lead to corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment, as well as etching of plaster surfaces. High calcium hardness, on the other hand, can cause scaling on pool surfaces and equipment and can make the water cloudy.
To use calcium hardness increaser, add the required amount to the pool water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then circulate the water for at least an hour to ensure that the chemical is evenly distributed. It is important to test the calcium hardness level of the water regularly and to use calcium hardness increaser as needed to maintain the proper range.
Shock:
Shock is a strong oxidizing agent that is used to kill bacteria, algae, and other contaminants in the water of a swimming pool. It is usually used in higher concentrations than regular chlorine and is added to the pool water in the form of a granular or liquid product.
There are several types of shock products available, including chlorine shock, non-chlorine shock, and mineral shock. Chlorine shock is the most common type and is used to kill bacteria and algae and to oxidize contaminants in the water.
Non-chlorine shock is a gentler alternative to chlorine shock and is used to kill bacteria and algae and to remove chloramines (chlorine-based disinfection byproducts) from the water. Mineral shock is a type of non-chlorine shock that contains minerals that can help to improve the overall water quality and reduce the need for chlorine.
To use shock, add the required amount to the pool water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then circulate the water for at least an hour to ensure that the chemical is evenly distributed. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using shock, as using too much or too little can be harmful to swimmers and equipment.
Shock should not be used in combination with other chemicals, as it can cause a chemical reaction that can be harmful. It is also important to wait at least 15 minutes after adding shock to the water before entering the pool.
Algaecide:
Algaecide is a chemical that is used to kill and prevent the growth of algae in a swimming pool. Algae can grow in pool water that is not properly treated and can cause the water to appear green, cloudy, and foul-smelling. Algaecide is added to the pool water in the form of a liquid or a tablet and is usually used in combination with other pool chemicals, such as chlorine.
There are several types of algaecides available, including copper-based, quaternary ammonium-based, and polyquat-based. Copper-based algaecides are effective at killing a wide range of algae and are particularly effective at killing black algae, which can be difficult to remove.
Quaternary ammonium-based algaecides are a gentler alternative to copper-based algaecides and are effective at killing a wide range of algae, including green and yellow algae. Polyquat-based algaecides are a type of quaternary ammonium-based algaecide that is effective at killing a wide range of algae and can also help to improve the overall water quality.
To use algaecide, add the required amount to the pool water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then circulate the water for at least an hour to ensure that the chemical is evenly distributed.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using algaecide, as using too much or too little can be harmful to swimmers and equipment.
Algaecide should not be used in combination with other chemicals, as it can cause a chemical reaction that can be harmful. It is also important to wait at least 15 minutes after adding algaecide to the water before entering the pool.
Flocculant:
Flocculant is a chemical that is used to gather small particles together into larger clumps, which can then be easily removed by the filter in a swimming pool. These small particles, known as floc, can include dirt, algae, and other contaminants that can make the water appear cloudy or dirty.
To use flocculant, add the required amount to the pool water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then circulate the water for at least an hour to ensure that the chemical is evenly distributed.
After adding the flocculant, it is important to turn off the pool’s circulation system and allow the floc to settle to the bottom of the pool. The pool’s bottom drain should then be opened to allow the floc to be removed by the filter.
