| d="body"> | | | | not all that effective. |
| The biggest downside to owning a swimming pool | | | | Step 3, Shock |
| is maintenance. Pumps, filters, chemicals, water | | | | In addition to regular chlorination, weekly shocking |
| balance and on and on. Admit to owning a pool | | | | or raising the chlorine level to 5ppm is a great |
| and the first comment is "isn't it a lot of work?" It | | | | way to make sure contaminants don't build up |
| doesn't have to be. You can set up a routine that | | | | and cause problems. It's also a good idea to shock |
| takes just a few minutes several times a week | | | | after the pool has had heavy use as this helps |
| and keep your pool clean, clear and inviting any | | | | replenish chlorine so problems don't get started. |
| time you want to use it. Here's how: | | | | Step 4, Algae Control |
| Step 1, Water Balance | | | | A properly balanced and sanitized pool should |
| This is the most important step. When you open | | | | never have an algae problem. To make sure, add |
| the pool in the spring make the effort to make | | | | algaecide weekly according the maker's |
| sure your pool water is in the proper range for | | | | instructions just in case. |
| pH and total alkalinity. These parameters work | | | | Here's the schedule |
| together to maintain a stable water balance that | | | | 1. Every other day test the pool water. Use test |
| will make pool care much easier. The correct pH | | | | strips or a DPD kit and measure free chlorine, pH |
| range is 7.2 to 7.6. Total alkalinity is ideal at about | | | | and total alkalinity. Add chemicals if necessary. |
| 180 ppm. Below 100ppm and above 400ppm can | | | | 2. Once a week add algaecide and shock. |
| be trouble. | | | | REMEMBER-FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON |
| Step 2, Sanitize | | | | THE CHEMICALS USED EXACTLY. NEVER ADD |
| The pool water is properly balanced so it's time to | | | | WATER TO CHEMICALS, ADD CHEMICALS TO |
| add sanitizer. The idea is to maintain a minimum of | | | | WATER. |
| 1.5 to 3ppm of chlorine at all times. This level is | | | | That's all there is to it. Both Step 1 and Step 2 |
| high enough to suppress the growth of bacteria | | | | should take no more than 5-10 minutes for a |
| and algae, the primary villains in ugly pool water. | | | | grand total of about 40-50 minutes a week |
| The most popular form for chlorine is tablets or | | | | maintaining your pool! Better still, if the program is |
| sticks. Add them to the skimmer basket or | | | | followed correctly the pool will always be ready to |
| automatic feeder. Since water flow is necessary | | | | use. |
| to dissolve tablets or sticks a floating feeder is | | | | |