- Once you new pool is initially filled, you must add a stabilizer. Stabilizers protect the chlorine from being destroyed by sunlight, and without chlorine, algae will grow.
You should maintain total alkalinity between 80 to 150 parts per million (PPM), which you can accomplish by using acid to lower and soda ash to raise the amounts. - Disinfecting swimming pool water is done by adding chlorine, which kills bacteria and prevents the growth of algae. Chlorine in its purest form is a yellowish gas that is extremely dangerous and inhalation must be avoided. Chemical manufacturers of granular pool chlorine add other stabilizing compounds to make handling relatively safe, if instructions are carefully followed.
- Gas is usually injected into the water by professional swimming pool maintenance companies. This is 100 percent pure chlorine and it requires special, and expensive, equipment to feed into the pool.
Granular or tablets are likely the most popular form of chlorine used in backyard pools. Usually once per week, pool owners can test the water and add this type of chlorine by sprinkling over the water or by placing tablets in a floating dispenser.
The liquid type is generally used monthly to superchlorinate the pool. Bacteria can build up a resistance to a balanced level of chlorine in the water, and oftentimes it is necessary to "shock" the water to kill off excess algae. - There is no consensus on using regular household bleach in lieu of pool-specific chlorine. Depending on which web blog one reads, some pool owners swear by the brand Clorox, while others insist the household names are not manufactured with pool water in mind.
One convincing argument on not using household bleach is its strength. Typical home-use bleach has a chlorine concentration of about 3 percent, while chlorine designed for pool use has about 12 percent. That, in itself, should speak loudly as to which type is best to use. If using household bleach, avoid those that contain whiteners designed for washing laundry. - Anyone who has made the decision to invest in a backyard pool has undoubtedly also made the decision to spend the money to properly maintain it. Swimming pool water chemistry is relatively simple to understand, and inexpensive kits are available in all pool stores. If you elect to save money by using household chlorine, rather than the stronger pool-specific brands, you may find yourself spending more money in the long run due to the diluted strength of the regular home-use types.
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