| A major problem for all Above Ground pool | | | | decided that it is a needed element to the pool, |
| owners every year is Green Water. The onset of | | | | while others are choosing to do without as it has |
| Cloudy or Green water can take the fun out of | | | | been linked to carcinogens. If you choose to use |
| the summer swimming time very quickly. All you | | | | it, try to maintain a measured level of only 1.0 to |
| know is that just days ago when you first filled | | | | 3.0 ppm (parts per million). Any Algae will die with |
| your pool, the water was crystal clear and clean, | | | | concentrations as low as 0.05 ppm, so even at |
| but now you can barley see the bottom as the | | | | very low levels, if will insure the non-green affect. |
| water has changed to a nice Avocado Green. | | | | Step # 2: Insure your Filter Pump is Adequate |
| What do you do? Yes you could dump it all out | | | | and in Working Condition |
| and start over, but depending on the size of the | | | | Constant filtration is a must. It makes since that |
| pool, this can be quite costly as water is not | | | | the little floaties which enter your swimming pool |
| cheap. The answer is in an ounce of prevention. | | | | from kids, falling debris, and bacteria must be |
| Understanding the maintenance of the water is | | | | removed in order for the water to remain clean |
| essential to clear water all summer long, the | | | | and clear. Your filter pump must be maintained as |
| following are the things you must control on a | | | | a Priority. Check to insure that you have the right |
| regular schedule in order to have Clear, Clean | | | | pump for moving at least the equivalent 100% of |
| Above Ground swimming water in your pools. | | | | the water through the filter every 4-5 hours. This |
| Step # 1: Test the Water Weekly: | | | | is probably the normal time that the pool will be in |
| You must maintain the correct balance of | | | | operation. Insure that all of the hose attachments |
| chemicals in your pool water, mainly PH balance | | | | are snug and without leakage. A little lubricant like |
| and Chlorine levels. This can easily be accomplished | | | | Vaseline(TM) always helps to insure a long lfe for |
| with an inexpensive Pool Test kit. Kits with test | | | | your hoses right at the connection points. Make |
| strips or tablets are the easiest to use and offer | | | | sure you have plenty of filter material on hand as |
| the fastest way to get readings on your water. | | | | you should change it out every 2 weeks, |
| PH balance is the measure of how acidic or | | | | depending on how often the kids and you are in |
| alkaline your water. A PH number below 7.0 | | | | the Above Ground Swimming Pool. Always have |
| indicates your water is acidic. Above 7.0 says | | | | your filter pump plugged into a GFCI receptacle |
| your water is alkaline based. Since your eyes hold | | | | for your own safety and for the life of this unit. |
| a PH level of between 7.2-7.3, that is the number | | | | An ounce of prevention, remember. |
| you are after when it comes to the PH. That | | | | Step # 3: Invest in a Pool Cover |
| level would be perfect, but if not perfect, any | | | | It is amazing how many people make the |
| level between 7.0 and 7.5 should be just fine. Pool | | | | investment in their Above Ground Swimming |
| water which is too acidic will lead to burning eyes, | | | | Pools and forget the key element in its |
| dry skin and lost of color to that favorite bathing | | | | cleanliness-Get a Cover! The pool cover will |
| suit of yours. Acidic water will also put a strain on | | | | absolutely save you hours upon hours of time in |
| the durability of the pool as it slowly eats it away. | | | | your cleaning regimen. Most of the falling and |
| High alkaline readings will also lead to burning eyes | | | | blown debris you find in your pool enters while |
| and cloud the water like a milk shake. Balance the | | | | you are not in it. It's just how it is. By having the |
| water, and you are well on your way to clear | | | | proper size cover attached anytime the pool is |
| swimming. | | | | not being used for swimming, will reduce the |
| Chlorine is also a balancing act. Too much and | | | | amount of debris in the pool, thus helping your |
| your eyes are still burning, too little and the little | | | | pump filter system out of having to work at max |
| Green plants we call Algae are sure to be present. | | | | capacity everyday. |
| Remember, Chlorine is a sterilizer and many have | | | | |