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Just drained the outdoor pool. Going to fill it up with water from the hose.
What chemicals should I put in the water? Shock? chlorine? Anything else?
I don't want to spend alot of money. At the pool stores they will try to sell me a lot of chemicals. Just what is needed to keep water clean and clear.
While its filling, go to the pool store and pick up a test kit for the type of pool you have. Make sure the test kit has a Pool Care for Dummies style book with it. READ THE BOOK! What you put into the pool depends on many thing from free chlorine level to.ph water level. Even the type of water and the type of filtration will also play a part. The days of just dumping in chlorine and acid to balance a pool is long over. Today there are anti-phosphates that enable you to use less chlorine, and algicides that work on different problems. The biggest mistake many make is just using chlorine (tabs and shock) to try an overcome problems best handled by other products.
Check around with your local pool stores. We have one where you pay 130$ per year, and that covers all of your chemicals for the year no matter what. You just take them a water sample, and they hook you up.
You can pay for the chemicals now, or pay for more expensive ones later. Draining and refilling is really a last ditch measure. If it is an in-ground pool, you'll need calcium, baking soda as a buffer, acid and chlorine. Expect it to take a week or two of tweaking for the pool to stabilize - a little less if you run the pump constantly. BTDT
Just drained the outdoor pool. Going to fill it up with water from the hose.
What chemicals should I put in the water? Shock? chlorine? Anything else?
I don't want to spend alot of money. At the pool stores they will try to sell me a lot of chemicals. Just what is needed to keep water clean and clear.
Thanks in advance.
IF you're coming to C-D for answers on how to maintain and operate a pool- you don't need a pool!
What you need is a pool service.
Then, during the season this year get a manual about pool maintenance, Read it!
Then come next season you can make an educated decision on weather this is something you want to tackle year-in and year-out!
Pool maintenance isn't for everybody- from a daily maintenance standpoint to patience on chemical reactions. Clear and blue doesn't happen overnight- but an algae bloom sure can!
Actually, KB is smart in that advice. For a newbie to balance a pool initially, he or she will likely pay LESS having a pool service do it. Pools are fine for some people. I determined that for me they are just a hole to throw money in.
You can do it! Just google pool start up and get some ideas...its not that difficult. Make sure you clean your filter as well before start up. Don't let your pool stand empty too long though OK?
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