What to Know About Pool Chemicals

Dealing with your pool is hard. But the more you know about your pool, the water contained in it, and what happens in that water, the more knowledgeable you are. This way you can take care of your pool better. Here are some things to keep in mine about your pool water and what goes in it:

 

·        Chlorine: You may not know this, but chlorine has been around since the sixteenth century. And as you know, being you have a pool, it is the most widely used pool chemical on the market. Chlorine works by combining with water to produce hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid. These chemicals work together to kill microorganisms.

·        Shock: As explained briefly above, shock causes the water to be oxidized. When the chlorine levels have been raised ten times more than normal, a breakpoint is reached. It is at this point that a shock rips through the water, destroying everything in its path. The best time to shock is when the water starts to smell of strong chlorine or becomes cloudy.  

·        Stabilizer: Cyanuric acid is a great stabilizer. It helps to protect chlorine from the sun’s UV radiation (a danger to chlorine). You place the stabilizer into the skimmer at about a rate of four pounds per 10,000 gallons of water. It will dissolve in the filter. Once used, you will definitely see a reduction in chlorine use.

·        Water Balance: Water balance is primarily when everything in the water is equal. Because the water texture constantly changes from the elements, people’s clothing, and other conditions, algae can get into the pool unsetting the balance. A proper balance is when the pH level is at seven, alkalinity is between 80-120 ppm, and calcium hardness is between 200-400 ppm.

·        Algaecides: Algae as we know it, is a microscopic form of plant life. It thrives in pool water. You can’t really detect it at first but eventually it grows quickly and in time you will actually be able to see it. Your water will turn slimy green at this point. You can see this stuff at the bottom of the pool, or stuck to any surface. It also comes in other colors like black, brown, yellow, or pink. To prevent this from happening at all, use algaecide. It will kill these disgusting algae, leaving your pool clean and clear.