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How do you start pool chemicals?

6 min read

Asked by: Prince Lemm

What chemicals do you put in a pool first?

Chemicals Needed for Pool Start Ups

  1. Stain & Scale Preventer.
  2. Granular Shock Chlorine.
  3. Chlorine Tablets.
  4. pH Increaser and/or pH Decreaser.
  5. Alkalinity and/or Calcium Increaser.
  6. Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer)
  7. Algaecide and Clarifiers if needed.
  8. Complete Test Kit or Test Strips.


How do I treat my pool for the first time?

Follow these steps…



Test and correct the pH level to 7.2 – 7.6. In the early evening, add 2 cups of HTH® Granular for every 10 000 liters of pool water. Filter continuously for 24 hours. After 12 hours test and correct if necessary.

Should I shock my pool when I first fill it up?

At first you’ll add chlorine in what’s called “shock” levels – an extra heavy dose to start your pool off. A shock dose coupled with extra circulation will ensure that all the water gets treated properly in the beginning.

What chemicals do I need to start my above ground pool?

We recommend that you take an inventory of the following:

  • Chlorine Tablets & Chlorine Stock.
  • pH Increaser & Decreaser.
  • Alkalinity & Calcium Increaser.
  • Cyanuric Acid or Stabilizer.
  • Algaecides, Clarifiers, Enzymes.
  • Test Kit Reagents or Test Strips.
  • Stain Removers.


Should I adjust alkalinity or pH first?

Alkalinity is the total alkaline material in your pool water. You should test alkalinity first because it will buffer pH. Your reading should be in the range of 80 to 120 parts per million (ppm). If you need to increase the alkalinity, add an increaser.

Do I add chlorine or stabilizer first?

Add Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid)



Stabilizer is cyanuric acid. It’s important that you get this right BEFORE adjusting the chlorine levels. The right level of stabilizer basically makes the chlorine you add more effective and helps it last longer.

How do I add chlorine to my pool for the first time?

And you're going to add it directly to the skimmer basket of your pool remember no more than one pound.

Can I add all pool chemicals at the same time?

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.

Should I use shock or algaecide first?

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’s the difference between shock and chlorine?

Liquid chlorine and granular shock have the same active chemical that sanitizes your pool, what changes is the strength and the way you use it. Liquid chlorine is less costly, unstabilized and comes in liquid form. Granular shock is stabilized and comes in a solid form that dissolves in your pool.

Can you swim in pool before adding chemicals?

If you’ll only be adding liquid chlorine, it’s generally safe to swim after about 4 hours or until levels are 5 ppm or lower.

How do I put chemicals in my pool?

How Do I Add Chemicals to the Pool?

  1. Test the water. By testing your pool water regularly, you can know exactly how much product to add to your pool. …
  2. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Remember safety first. …
  3. DO NOT MIX CHEMICALS. Adding everything into the same bucket can have disastrous results. …
  4. Dosing the pool.


How many hours should you wait to swim after shocking a pool?

24 hours

After Shocking 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!

What happens if you go in a pool that was just shocked?

In terms of swimming in a pool that has been recently shocked, you may be exposing yourself to the risk of skin and eye irritation. If this happens then rinse thoroughly with clean water for several minutes (source).

Can I put Clorox in my pool?

It is important to know what exactly bleach is before you put it in your pool. Household bleach, Clorox and liquid chlorine can all be used to sanitize a pool. They are all types of chlorine. Household bleaches such as Clorox usually contain about 5-6% available chlorine, about half that of pool liquid chlorine.

How long can water sit in pool without chlorine?

Without Chemicals



If a parent chooses not to use chemicals in the kiddie pool, the water must be drained after the children are done using it. This should occur within 24 hours. That means the parents must go through the hassle of filling the pool with fresh water each day.

How often should you change swimming pool water?

every five to seven years

You should replace pool water every five to seven years. As much as possible, you should drain and refill your pool during mild weather. It’s to avoid pool damage caused by direct sunlight and heat. Moreover, a pool maintenance company can recommend the ideal time to drain your pool.

Should you always have chlorine tablets in pool?

Add one tablet for every 5,000 gallons of water and always round up. For example, if your pool has 21,000 gallons of water, add five tablets per week. If it has 8,000 gallons, use two tablets.

Can I shock my pool without the pump running?

It’s pointless to shock a pool that doesn’t have a functional pump. Even if it succeeds, your pool will get filled with algae after only a few days. It’s a big job to get all the chemicals to mix evenly without using a pump. Using a leaf net or a pole, manually apply chlorine and mix the water.

How long should I run my pool pump after adding chlorine?

In the industry it is recognized to have the pool run for 3 hours at a bare minimum up to 24 hours. 24 hours really is overkill but it’ll ensure the water is completely mixed with the chemicals.

Can I use bleach to shock my pool?

Calculate the amount of bleach you need based on the fact that 1 gallon will raise the free chlorine level of 30,000 gallons of water by 2 ppm. If you need to mildly shock a 30,000-gallon pool by raising the free chlorine concentration to 5 ppm, you need 2.5 gallons of bleach. To raise it to 10 ppm, you need 5 gallons.