If the water level is too high, the water moves too slowly into the skimmer. This can result in debris bypassing the skimmer and accumulating in the pool. If the water level is too low, the skimmer is left with little to suck in and it can bottom out. It will suck in air instead, potentially burning your pool’s motor pump.
Sand filters: these filters are made of metal, fiberglass, or concrete and they contain a solid bed of specific sand. The sand does the job of trapping debris. Change the sand in the filter every five years. Cartridge filters: these filters allow water to seep through a fine filtrating surface. This filter keeps the impurities it catches until you clean it. An advantage of cartridge filters over sand ones, is that they have a greater surface area, which results in fewer clogs and easy maintenance. Replace them every 3-5 years. Diatomaceous earth filters: these filters contain porous bone material, which easily filters debris. Installing a DE filter is quite simple, as you place it directly into the skimmer. Backwashing and replacement/addition of a new DE has to be done once or twice a year.
Chlorine Shocking products Algaecide
Basic Chlorinating Tabs. These tabs dissolve slowly, and can be found in 1-inch and 3-inch sizes. They do a great job at keeping your pool clean. Plus, most chlorinating tablets contain a built-in stabilizer to shield your water’s chlorine from the sun’s rays. You can use the tablets in your floating dispenser, skimmer or automatic chlorinator. Liquid Chlorine. In liquid form, chlorine is quite similar to household bleach. But beware: it is also much stronger when it is designed for pools. Applying liquid chlorine is relatively easy, but it has a rather short shelf life. It won’t last for more than a few weeks. Chlorinating Tabs. Some non-basic chlorinating tabs provide a multifunctional approach to pool maintenance; they sanitize the water while also shocking your pool. Shocking your pool gets rid of all sorts of contaminants. Chlorinating Granules. These granules come in multifunctional varieties that can help you resolve several issues at once; chlorinating, shocking and killing algae with a single, daily application.
Basic Shock Products. Basic products take care of killing bacteria, from breaking down cosmetic residue, suntan lotions, and any kind of swimmer waste. Using basic products to shock the water tone down chlorine. Multifunctional Shock Products. These products work fast and restore the water’s clarity by eliminating all kinds of bacteria. Multifunctional products also balance the pool water’s pH, boost filtration, and provide increased algae protection. The main pro is that these shocking products allow you to get back into the water within 15 minutes of use.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and then pour the suggested amount of algaecides directly into the pool.
Always wear rubber gloves. Wash hands immediately after being exposed to chemicals. Follow the dosage instructions carefully and store chemicals according to the manufacturer’s directions. Never pour or return unused or wasted material to the original package, and do not throw it away in regular garbage. Do not light fires when using chemicals. Always add the chemical to the water, and not the other way around.
pH levels measure how acidic or basic substances are. The pH scale has a range between 0 and 14, with a neutral pH at 7.
Chlorine is used to disinfect and sanitize the water. Calcium hardness refers to the amount of calcium present in the water. If the calcium levels are too low your water will become corrosive, potentially ruining the body of your pool. Cyanuric acid protects the chlorine in the water from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Total dissolved solids are mainly composed of inorganic salts (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides and sulfates) and small amounts of other organic materials dissolved in the water.
pH: 7. 2 - 7. 8 Total alkalinity: 80 - 120 ppm Chlorine: 1. 0 - 2. 0 ppm Cyanuric Acid: 40 - 80 ppm Calcium hardness: 180 - 220 ppm, though some say 200 - 400 Total Dissolved Solids: below 5000 ppm
pH should be tested twice a week. Total alkalinity should be tested once a week, and at least once a month. Chlorine should be tested twice a week. Cyanuric acid should be tested twice a season. Calcium hardness should be tested twice a season. Total dissolved solids should be tested once a week, and at least once a month.
