Things You'll Need:
- Water-testing kit
- Alkalinity increaser
- PH Minus
- PH Plus
- 3-inch chlorine pucks
- Chlorine shock
- Algaecide
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Step 1
Test your pool water several times a week with a test kit that measures pH, total alkalinity, free chlorine and total chlorine. Use a test kit that measures these levels with drops of solution, rather than paper test strips (which are not as accurate).
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Step 2
Raise the pool's total alkalinity until it is between 80 and 120 ppm. Add alkalinity increaser in increments that are 1/3 of a full portion. Broadcast the powder across the pool surface. Run the pump and filter to disperse the powder evenly.
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Step 3
Test your water again to ensure that the alkalinity reading is in range. Note the pH value, which will have increased because of the addition of the alkalinity. Adjust the pH either up or down until it is in the ideal range of 7 1/5 to 7 3/5. Add either pH Minus or pH Plus and test the pH again.
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Step 4
Place one or two 3-inch chlorine pucks in the skimmer basket and allow the pump and filter to distribute chlorine to the pool for at least 8 hours a day. Add additional pucks when the old ones get used. Test your pool water for free chlorine and total chlorine, adding chlorine until the free chlorine reaches the 1 1/2 to 3 range.
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Step 5
Add chlorine shock to your pool at least once a week--more often in hot weather, or if you have a heavy bather load. Allow the chlorine shock to raise the total chlorine level to 9 or 10 in order to kill germs and viruses and burn up any organic material in the pool.
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Step 6
Keep the chlorine reading steady to avoid peaks and valleys, which equate to both burning eyes and bleaching swimsuits on the high end, or algae growth on the low end.
