Tonys detailed Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips From my own personal experience in the pool maintenance field I offer

you some tips for the average do it yourselfer to maintain your pool year round through basic principles and science. Materials needed: Sodium Bicarbonate- Raises total alkalinity (amount of alkaloid solids in the pool, helps maintain a steady PH level) Chlorine tablets- Stabilized chlorine that contains cyanuric acid (Ill cover this later) Maintain 1.52.0ppm chlorine during the summer, and 1.0-1.5 during the winter. Test weekly. Muriatic acid- To raise the PH Soda Ash- To lower the PH 4 way tester- Tests chlorine, total alkalinity, ph, acid demand test (tells you exactly how much acid or soda ash to add depending on your pool size) Cyanuric acid tester- (chlorine stabilizer tester) Granular shocker bags- (Calcium hypochlorite) to shock the pool with high levels of chlorine to kill any sanitation resistant microbes and remove bonded chlorine and introduce free chlorine to the water. In the beginning, until you catch the drift of how everything works I'd suggest testing all variables once a week. (Chlorine, Ph level, Cyanuric acid, Total alkalinity) If you have to make any adjustments, make them, then retest the water two to three hours later to ensure you got the results you wanted. After testing weekly you'll begin to get a feel for how your pool reacts to the changes you are making. However this changes seasonally as well, because of the heat and cold. Chlorine works by bonding to bacteria, algae, and growing organisms and sanitizing them. This is what keeps your pool clean and safe. At least once every two weeks you need to "Shock" the pool and burn off all of the used bonded chlorine and to kill off any sanitation resistant organisms. This is done by raising the chlorine to 10ppm or so and letting it fall back down to 1.5-2.0 ppm (normal). If your water has visible algae, then a 20ppm shock would be advised. If your water is black and green, then a 30ppm shock would be advised. The introduction of a large amount of rainfall or high amounts of pool activity that introduces microbes and dirt may require shocking more often as well. You will be able to visually determine this if you notice algae or discoloration on the walls of your pool. When adding chemicals to your pool, always mix them in a large 5 gallon bucket to dilute them, then pour it evenly over the water. Never add chemicals directly to your skimmer or filter. Cyanuric acid is used to prevent chlorine from oxidizing from the suns ultra violet rays. Therefore, indoor pools do not utilize this. Cyanuric acid cannot be destroyed over time, only evaporated into the air. It is known as a pool stabilizer, because it latches onto free unbonded chlorine and enables it to last longer in the sunlight. Levels above 40-50 ppm are not advisable; the cost to benefit ratio is just too high. 20-40 ppm is more than sufficient. Above levels of 100ppm can cause damage to your pool concrete and create stains. Most "stabilized" chlorine tablets have cyanuric acid in them, albeit a very

small amount. This aids in chlorine tablets staying effective longer during the hot summer months with high UV concentration. During the winter months when your pool evaporates very little water, cyanuric acid will build up if you add too much stabilized chlorine. Without the addition of fresh water, this level would just keep rising as you add more chlorine. When you add new water to your pool, the fresh water will lower the cyanuric acid content. This is why during the heat/cold shifts of summer and winter you need to specifically monitor your cyanuric acid levels, because the water evaporates less quickly, and the sun is less intense. Therefore, you need to monitor and adjust your chlorine levels and adjust your chlorine feeder appropriately to keep cyanuric acid levels in range. Dont forget that an hour or so after filling your pool with water and letting the pump circulate, test and adjust your water, as you have just diluted every chemical buy a small amount. Some people bloviate about testing the Calcium content of your water because using calcium hypochlorite will raise the hardness of your water when you constantly shock it. However in my opinion, it really does not matter unless you are notice the tiles forming calcium deposits all the time, or if the water is milky or cloudy to your eye. Through a careful systematic approach, one can maintain their pool year round with the proper chemical balance. Annual chemical costs are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of damages from a severely neglected pool. Regular upkeep is simple and quick provided you have the proper information. In the shifts of heat and cold during the seasons, a more attentive approach must be observed momentarily to factor in the evaporation of water, rainfall, and UV sunlight. Dont be intimidated by caring for your pool! If that sweaty teenager you pay $40 dollars a month to come over and take care of your pool can do it, then so can you!