How to Balance Your Above Ground Pool Chemicals

Maintaining proper chemical balance is one of the most crucial aspects of pool care. In an above ground pool, this task becomes even more important because improper chemical levels can lead to algae growth, skin irritation, and even damage your pool's equipment and plumbing. Ensuring that the pH, chlorine, and other levels are balanced helps keep your water clean, clear, and safe for swimming.

Why Should You Test and Balance Your Pool Water?

It’s essential to test and balance your pool's chemicals at least once a week, especially for above ground pools, as they can be more sensitive to chemical imbalances. The most common imbalances happen with pH and chlorine levels, and when these fluctuate, they can cause various issues such as cloudy water, skin irritation, or reduced chlorine effectiveness.

Key Pool Chemical Levels to Monitor

Before adjusting any chemicals, it’s essential to test your water. You can use test strips or liquid test kits to get an accurate reading of the following:

1. Total Hardness (Calcium Hardness)

• What It Is: Measures the amount of calcium in your pool water. Too much calcium can lead to scaling on your pool surfaces, while too little can cause the water to be corrosive.
• Ideal Level: 175 - 275 ppm.

2. Free Chlorine

• What It Is: The active sanitizer that kills bacteria, viruses, and algae in the pool water.
• Ideal Level: 1 - 3 ppm, with 3 ppm being optimal.

3. pH

• What It Is: Measures how acidic or basic your water is. If the pH is too high or too low, it can reduce the effectiveness of chlorine and cause equipment damage.
• Ideal Level: 7.4 - 7.6.

4. Total Alkalinity

• What It Is: Acts as a buffer to prevent pH fluctuations. Maintaining proper alkalinity ensures your pH stays stable.
• Ideal Level: 80 - 120 ppm.

5. Cyanuric Acid (CYA)

• What It Is: A stabilizer that helps protect chlorine from being broken down by the sun’s UV rays. Without proper CYA levels, chlorine levels can drop quickly.
• Ideal Level: 30 - 50 ppm.

6. Combined Chlorine

• What It Is: This is chlorine that has already been used up and is no longer effective at sanitizing. It’s often the cause of that “chlorine smell” in pool water.
• Ideal Level: As close to zero as possible. If it's above 0.5 ppm, the pool needs to be shocked.

How to Test Your Pool Water

To test your water accurately, take a water sample from elbow-deep in your pool, away from the skimmer or return jets, using a clean cup. Then, dip the test strip into the sample and compare the results with the chart provided on the packaging.

For best results, test your water regularly—especially after a heavy rain, when a lot of people have swum in the pool, or if you’ve added fresh water.

The Right Pool Chemicals to Have On Hand

To keep your pool in balance, you'll need to have a few key chemicals available:

• Chlorine: This can come in tablets, granules, or liquid form.
• Alkalinity Increaser: Such as baking soda, used to raise alkalinity.
• pH Increaser/Decreaser: Soda ash can raise pH, while muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate will lower it.
• Calcium Hardness Increaser: To raise calcium levels when necessary.
• Chlorine Stabilizer (CYA): Helps to protect chlorine from being broken down by the sun.
• Pool Shock: Either chlorine shock or non-chlorine shock to boost chlorine levels and eliminate contaminants.
• Metal Sequestrants: For removing metals like iron, copper, and calcium that could cause stains.

The Correct Order for Adding Pool Chemicals

Adding chemicals in the wrong order can cause issues like cloudy water or inefficient chemical reactions. Here’s the best sequence to follow:

Step 1: Adjust Alkalinity

Start by adjusting the total alkalinity. Alkalinity helps prevent sudden shifts in pH, so it’s important to get this right first. You can raise alkalinity with an alkalinity increaser (baking soda) or lower it with a pH decreaser (muriatic acid). Keep in mind that altering alkalinity will affect your pH, so you may need to adjust both.

Step 2: Adjust pH

Once the alkalinity is in range, adjust your pH. You can raise the pH with soda ash and lower it with muriatic acid. Always test the water after making adjustments to ensure you’re in the ideal range.

Step 3: Add Chlorine

Now that your pH is balanced, add your chlorine. You can use tablets, granules, or liquid chlorine. Allow the chlorine to circulate in the water with your pump running. It might take a few hours for the levels to stabilize, especially if you're using tablets.

Step 4: Add Cyanuric Acid (If Needed)

If you use liquid chlorine or have an open pool with direct sunlight, you’ll need to add a chlorine stabilizer. This will help preserve your chlorine levels from being broken down by the sun. For pools using dichlor or trichlor tablets, stabilizer is already included.

Step 5: Adjust Calcium Hardness

If your calcium hardness is low, you can add a calcium hardness increaser. If it's too high, you’ll need to partially drain and refill your pool to dilute the calcium concentration.

Step 6: Shock the Pool

Shocking your pool helps refresh chlorine levels and kills any remaining contaminants. Non-chlorine shock is great for routine maintenance, while chlorine shock is more powerful for tackling problems like cloudy water or algae. After shocking, wait about 20 minutes before swimming.

Final Tips for Maintaining Pool Chemical Balance

• Test Frequently: The more you use your pool, the more frequently you should test the water. Regular testing ensures you're always on top of any imbalances.
• Never Mix Chemicals Outside of the Pool: Mixing pool chemicals outside of the pool can create dangerous reactions, including toxic gas or even explosions.
• Wait Between Additions: After adding each chemical, give it at least 20 minutes to circulate through the system before adding the next one.

By following these steps, you'll keep your above ground pool clean, clear, and safe for swimming. Proper chemical balance isn't just about convenience—it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring a comfortable, enjoyable swimming experience.

At AQUASTRONG, we offer high-quality pool care products designed to help you maintain a clean, safe pool with minimal effort. Whether you need chlorine, stabilizers, or pool shock, we have everything you need to keep your pool in top condition.