Pool Water Chemistry 101

Easy swimming pool chemistry because most indoor and outdoor swimming pools are chlorine pools there are only six chemistry basics you need to know.

Pool water chemistry 101. Maintaining the right chemistry in your pool water could be the most important job you ll have as a pool owner. Pool chemistry 101 a properly maintained chemical balance in your water is one of the three essentials along with circulation and cleaning your pool needs to have clear healthy water. The presence of these metals can stain your pool s surfaces and discolor your swimming pool water. If you ve recently bought a pool or are thinking about doing so you ve no doubt heard a lot about pool chemistry and with good reason.

A measurement of how hard or soft your pool water is calcium hardness may vary depending on where you live and what water source you use to fill your pool. From the chemicals that go into the pool to keep the water clean and prevent algae buildup to understanding how to keep your pool at the proper ph there s a lot that goes into water chemistry. This guide explains the critical information you need to know to maintain your pool s chemistry throughout the swimming season. That along with proper sanitization is how you keep it crystal clear and a beginner s guide to pool chemistry infographic read more.

For example well water is often higher in minerals. There are three main chemical levels you should regularly monitor. Standard swimming pool services include maintaining and adjusting your pool water chemistry. In order to address the health of your water you will need an appropriate test kit.

The following items are the basics to test for when checking your pool chemistry in the order of importance. When your water chemistry isn t properly balanced it can cause skin and eye irritation and allow dangerous bacteria and or algae growth. The recommended alkalinity range in your pool water is 100 ppm to 150 ppm with 125 ppm being ideal. The most common types of metals that appear in pool water are copper iron and manganese.

If metals are present in your pool use a stain and scale remover on a regular basis. The acid sanitizes the pool while the hydrogen bubbles out of the water and into the air. Free chlorine fc 3ppm 4ppm if you have proper fc levels in your pool it will be clean clear and safe to swim in. Pool chlorine and cyanuric acid levels cya pool stabilizer the cya is mainly for outdoor pools.