What Chemicals Do I Need For My Above Ground Pool?

What chemicals should you have on hand if you own an above ground pool? Let’s take a look!

Shock

Pool Shock cleans your pool when the sanitizer is overloaded, following heavy rainfall, or after a large number of individuals have been in the pool (for instance a pool party). Shocking the pool removes bacteria without shifting the chlorine levels and goes a long way in maintaining its balance. It can be easily forgotten to shock your pool, but a good pool owner will check sanitizer levels, prior to shocking the pool.

Chlorine

Chlorine is responsible for killing any algae and bacteria. This chemical can come in many forms, including tablet, liquid and powder. When the pool water reacts with chlorine, it forms hydrochloric acid. This compound ultimately fights off bacteria.

Algaecide

Algaecides are used to put an end of algae growth in the pool and to stop upsurges from occurring in the first place.

Cyanuric Acid

Cyanuric acid will slow the sun from decomposing the present chlorine in the pool water. However, there is a limited amount of this acid that can be added to a pool. If your chlorine already includes cyanuric acid, then it is not necessary to add any more acid. Water balance is achieved at a neutral level of 7.0.

pH Balancers

pH balancers are used to sustain healthy pH ranges in your pool, in which is vital to the pool’s overall health.

Bromine

This is an alternative chemical to chlorine. It is typically used to treat hot tub water. Bromine will work better in water featuring a higher pH level.

Sanitizer

Sanitizers are probably the most vital chemical you can use to kill off bacteria and to keep viruses, algae, and other impurities from developing in the pool water. The 2 most general sanitizers are bromine and chlorine.

Clarifier

Clarifier will work by trapping particles within the filter. This agent can contain numerous chemicals, which include crab shell extracts, enzymes and ammonium chloride.

Calcium Chloride

Pools need to reach a minimum level of calcium hardness before molecules begin to look elsewhere for minerals. This chemical is applied to increase overall calcium hardness.

Hardness Balancers

Hardness balancers are intended to keep your swimming pool in the ideal 200 – 300 ppm (parts per million) range of Calcium Hardness.

Alkalinity Balancers

Alkalinity balancers are utilized to keep a safer total alkalinity range for an enjoyable swimming experience.