As a pool owner, you’ve probably a rough idea of how to keep your pool water clean, but are you doing it right?
A swimming pool is a sophisticated piece of equipment. Don’t expect to know everything about it without asking questions or you'll find yourself with smelly water, a green pool (with perhaps hair to match!) and a depleted bank account.
Think about it; keeping fifty tons or more of exposed-to-the-elements water in crystal-clear condition is no easy task. A pool is constantly assaulted by algae and fungi spores, garden debris, rain, sun, wildlife, pets, building/quarry/road dust and a host of other pollutants. That's before the humans get into the water and add their share of sun-oils, hair, dead skin, body fats and urine - (yes, people still do!)  When pools go bad, they can go bad really quickly.
A properly maintained pool is both visually and biologically clean.  You can tell if it’s visually clean just by looking at it, but ‘biologically clean’? How will you know?  You must use a test kit to measure your pool’s chlorine and pH levels. (Your pool-shop will be happy to show you how it’s done.)  If you maintain the correct chemical levels bacteria and algae will be killed, your pool will be ‘biologically clean’ and you’ll never be troubled by algae.  ‘pH’ refers to the acidity/alkalinity level of your pool water. pH is vital because, unless your pool is within a certain pH range, the chlorine won’t dissolve into the correct ratio of sanitiser and stabiliser.
In other words, unless your pH is properly adjusted, chlorine won’t keep your pool as clean as it should be. Most pool owners don’t realise the importance of pH. The correct range is 7.2 - 7.6.

Measure your pool’s current pH level. If the level is too high add ‘pH minus.’ If the level is too low, add ‘pH plus.’  ‘pH minus’ & ‘pH plus’ are stocked by your pool-shop. 

Now check the chlorine level. The ideal level is 1 - 3 parts per million (ppm).

There are different types of chlorine available but we recommend just one type: Any chlorine, in granular, powder or tablet form that is described as ‘Stabilised Trichlor’, because it’s very effective in fighting bacteria and algae, it’s very easy to use, and it lasts 4 to 5 times longer than liquid bleach, shock chlorine or calcium hypochlorite. Stabilised Trichlor may cost more initially, but will save you money in the long run. The sun will destroy liquid bleach (‘shock’) and calcium hypochlorite after 4 hours.  Stabilised Trichlor will keep working for over 24 hours when dissolved, so more chlorine is left in the water to do the job of sanitising, and less is wasted when burned off by the sun. Stabilised Chlorine will last longer than 2-3 times the amount of unstabilised chlorine.
For most applications, we usually recommend using the 200 grams slow dissolving ‘hockey puck’ style tablets.
With pH at 7.4, one of these tablets will raise the Free Chlorine by 1.5 ppm in 50 cubic metres of water.
 
Mix granulated or powder chlorine with water in a plastic bucket first. Remember, add chemicals to water, never water to chemicals. Tablets are easier to use; put them either into your skimmer basket or, if you have one, your chlorine feeder.  One tablet for each 50 cubic metres is typical, but you may need more in the really hot weather, or after a rainstorm.  Wash your hands after handling chemicals.

Along with the up-keep of pH balance and chlorine level, there are several other important aspects of routine maintenance. These include vacuuming, back-washing, super-chlorination, pump-room operations, setting the timer and knowledge of your own filtration/circulation system. We cover all of these subjects and more on our PoolSchool course, which is tailored to each individual pool and pool-system. Pool School Graduates learn all about looking after their own pools - and they get a Pool School Book! (RRP€15)

We would like to give a huge and heartfelt THANK-YOU to all who have visited us in our new shop in Alhaurin el Grande.  For Xmas we have a range of presents for Pool and Spa-owners, priced from €5 to €5000; so there’s something for everyone. Make up a selection box! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year; we hope to see you soon. 

Extracted and condensed from the Pool School Book, Price €15.                           Copyright remains with Author

Ken Walker is the Director of Pool School and Deep Blue Pools. Contact them on 952 594 303 / 952 499 059.
Download our Pool Maintenance Guide for just $9.99 (€6.80-ish)