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

Asked by: Julie Simmons

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.

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

Once the pool is opened and the floor and walls have been brushed the first chemical you should add is chlorine to shock it. It’s recommended you add a gallon of liquid chlorine or pound of granular chlorine for every 5,000 gallons of water in the pool. You can also add more chlorine at the end of the opening process.

What chemicals do you add first when opening a pool?

First if you need to raise your alkalinity. You can use an alkalinity increaser or baking soda if you add an alkalinity increaser you may also raise your ph.

How do I start my new above ground pool for the first time?

How to Open Your Above Ground Pool Like a Pro

1. Pull the Cover Off the Pool. …
2. Prepare your Pool Cover for Storage. …
3. Fill the Pool with Water. …
4. Goodbye Winter Pool Plugs and Hello Skimmer Baskets. …
5. Re-Install Your Pump, Filter, and Equipment. …
6. Start Up Your Pump and Filter. …
7. Clean Up Duty. …
8. Shock The Pool.

Do you shock a pool when you first fill it?

So you shock the pool allow the filter to run for about ten hours one full turnover of the water that has to be sure that all the water is treated and then make another do another test.

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

If you’re adding chlorine for the first time, add the amount of product required to achieve a free available chlorine level of 2 to 3 ppm. The instructions will let you know how much to use to raise levels by 1 ppm per 10,000 gallons (38,000 L) of water.

What to do when you first fill your pool?

What Do You Do After an Above Ground Pool Is Filled With Water?

1. Step 1: Learn about how to prevent drowning and pool chemical injuries. …
2. Step 2: Turn on the filter. …
3. Step 3: Vacuum and skim off debris. …
4. Step 4: Test the water, and then test it again. …
5. Step 5: Enjoy your pool, but safely!

Is liquid chlorine better than shock?

Liquid chlorine is generally less costly than granular shock and comes in refillable containers, where granular shock does not. Liquid chlorine does not need to dissolve in your water as it is already in liquid form. In addition, liquid chlorine is non-scaling and leaves no residue.

How soon after filling a pool Can you swim?

Wait about 20 minutes after adding balancing chemicals to your newly filled pool, and you should be good to swim. Calcium chloride – If you have hard water issues, it’s advised to wait about 2-4 hours before swimming after adding calcium chloride to soften your pool’s water—or until one filter cycle has been completed.

How do you start a brand new pool?

How to Open a Pool

1. Step 1: Clean up debris and check for wear and tear. …
2. Step 2: Inventory your pool chemicals. …
3. Step 3: Remove the Cover. …
4. Step 4: Inspect the Pool. …
5. Step 5: Fill Pool to Middle of Waterline Tile and Do Final Debris Removal. …
6. Step 6: Turn on the Pool Filter and Test the Water.

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.

Is it OK to swim in a pool without chemicals?

Even from a health standpoint, it is simply not safe to operate a pool without some added “chemicals” to combat bacteria and contaminants in the water. A pool without chemicals is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

How often should you change the water in an above ground pool?

Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your pool.

Does Intex pool need chlorine?

For the greatest protection against algae, bacteria, and cloudy water, Intex pools should maintain a chlorine level of 2.0-4.0 ppm at all times. If you opted for the Intex Salt Chlorinator, you can make your own chlorine by adding the correct amount of Pool Salt to the water.

What chemicals do you put in a Intex pool?

I just recommend using chlorine it's the easiest. Thing you can use for a smaller pool you can buy a chemical floater a little tiny floater that you can add small chlorine pucks into.

Where do you put the chlorine tablets in an above ground pool?

Directly to your skimmer basket. Water is constantly. Moving over your skimmer basket as long as your pump and filter are running and that is dissolving the chlorine much faster.

How do you take care of a small above ground pool?

Here are 10 key tips for above ground pool maintenance.

1. Install a Sump Pump in Your House.
2. Test the Chlorine Level.
3. Do Weekly Shock Treatments.
4. Test the pH Level.
5. Run the Pool’s Pump at Least Eight Hours a Day.
6. Regularly Clean and Replace the Filter.
7. Regularly Clean Out the Pump and Skimmer Baskets.
8. Vacuum Often.

How often do you put chlorine in above ground pool?

Pool Maintenance (Ongoing)

Do you need chlorine for above ground pool?

Most above ground pools use 2-4 of the 3″ chlorine tablets per week, in a chlorine floater or chlorinator.

What type of chlorine is best for above ground pools?

For everyday chlorination of an above-ground pool, liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite aka bleach) or dichlor is are good choices. Use unstabilized chlorine if you have an outdoor pool with high stabilizer levels. Use stabilized chlorine if you have low stabilizer levels or an indoor pool.

Do I need to shock my pool if I use chlorine tablets?

Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock. Without tabs, the chlorine shock will dissipate quickly out of the water; without shock, the chlorine level will not get high enough to fully sanitize the water.

Are chlorine tablets enough for pool?

To keep things easy, remember that a single 3-inch tablet can sanitize up to 5,000 gallons of water. Which means four tablets are enough to sanitize a 20,000-gallon pool. To calculate how many chlorine tablets to add to your swimming pool, first round your pool’s size (in gallons) to the nearest 5,000th.

Is it better to use chlorine tablets or granules?

The Advantage of Chlorine Tablets for Swimming Pools



The most significant benefit of using chlorine tablets for your pool is its longer-term nature compared to granules. Once you get the right dosage, you shouldn’t have to add another chlorine treatment for at least a few days.

Is chlorine granules the same as shock?

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.

Can you use chlorine tablets and granules together?

But of course, it’s also important to acknowledge that many pool owners use chlorine tablets and chlorine granules perfectly well in tandem. You might use granules at the start of a cleansing process, for instance, and then switch to tablets for the longer-term maintenance of your pool water.

How long do chlorine granules take to work?

It can take anywhere from thirty minutes to twenty-four hours for the chlorine or bromine to reach safe levels. It just depends on how high they were. Always test your hot tub water before entering, better to be safe than sorry!

How long after shock can I add chlorine?

You should wait one hour per pound of shock product added, and then test the water to confirm the pH and chlorine are in the proper range before letting anyone enter the pool. As a reminder, you want your pH to be between 7.2 and 7.8ppm and your free available chlorine to be 1-4ppm for safe swimming.

How do you put chlorine granules in an above ground pool?

Water test results stir the mixture with a wooden stick. Then walking along the perimeter of the pool. For your solution into the water. Let the pool circulate for two hours before swimming.