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Pool Cleaning Supplies

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If you’re lucky enough to own a pool once the weather warms up — or a hot tub for those cool summer evenings — you’ll know that keeping your water clean is the key to some fun in the water. Without handy pool cleaners and chemicals, debris and algae can build up and your pool water balance can be thrown off. Read on for some tips on selecting the right pool chemicals and cleaners to keep your water sparkling.

How can pool chemicals keep my pool water balanced?


Properly balancing your pool water involves monitoring and adjusting three measurements as needed: alkalinity, calcium hardness and pH. As with any chemicals, be sure to keep yours in a safe place out of the reach of children and animals.
• Alkalinity: The level of alkalinity has a major effect on the condition of your pool’s water. If your alkalinity is too low, it may cause skin irritation. When you begin to adjust the alkalinity of your pool, keep in mind that 1.5 pounds of these chemicals per 10,000 gallons of pool water will raise your alkalinity level by approximately 10 parts per million, or ppm. As an example, when your alkalinity levels are below 80 ppm or your pH level is below 7.4, consider increasing your alkalinity levels.
• Calcium hardness: This measurement tells you how much calcium is in your pool water. Low levels can actually create corrosive water. The rule for altering your calcium hardness is that about 5 pounds per 10,000 gallons of water will raise calcium hardness by approximately 40 ppm. If your calcium hardness falls below 150 ppm you should use a calcium hardness increaser.
• pH: An optimal level for your pool water pH is between 7.4 and 7.6. The pH level of your pool may fluctuate often, so it’s a good idea to have both a pH increaser and a pH reducer on hand. The general rule for pH altering chemicals is:
• To increase your pH, you should first use about 1 pound of pH increaser per 10,000 gallons of water.
• To reduce your pH, you should first use no more than 6 ounces per 10,000 gallons of water.

What pool chemicals do I need to sanitize my pool?


Along with pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness affecting chemicals, you should also have sanitizers on hand. These include:
• Chlorine: To rid your water of bacteria, viruses and fungi, you’ll need chlorine. Chlorine tablets can be added manually and tend to work very quickly. You’ll want to dose your water with 1 to 3 ppm.
• Bromine: Another way to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi, bromine tends to work much better than chlorine and is more effective in hot water. This chemical tends to break down slower than chlorine, so you may need a chemical feeder to distribute it. Bromine is also less irritating for your eyes and skin, making it an ideal choice. If you do add bromine to your pool, the ideal amount is 3 to 5 ppm.

When not in use, be sure to store your chlorine or bromine in a safe place that’s out of reach of children and animals.

What kinds of pool cleaners can I use in my swimming pool?


Along with properly balanced chemicals, your pool will benefit from a set of pool cleaners. These typically come in manual or automatic designs and can be used to clean up fallen leaves, dirt and other debris. When it comes to cleaners, you’ll most likely have a choice of:
• Vacuum: A pool vacuum connects to the intake pipe of your pool filter via a hose. The vacuum head is typically on wheels and attached to a telescoping pole to allow you to reach those deep corners. To vacuum your pool, you should place the vacuum into the water so the hose end is under water. This will allow it to fill with water before you connect it to the vacuum head. Once your hose is connected, you should slowly move the vacuum over the bottom and sides of your pool — just like vacuuming a floor.
• Skimmer: A pool skimmer compliments a pool vacuum by grabbing debris off the surface of the water. It also features a telescoping pole and a lightweight net on the end. It’s recommended that you skim your pool daily, plus before and after a swim. By skimming regularly, you can save energy by keeping debris out of your filter.
• Robotic pool cleaner: A robotic pool cleaner features a motor with a drive, pump and processor. By pulling water in through the pump and sending it through attached filter bags before pumping it back out, the robotic cleaner can easily remove debris. Your robotic pool cleaner should feature bumpers that allow it to safely and gently bump into edges. Once the robot bumps into an edge, it will change direction until the entire pool has been cleaned.