Okay so I have the chemicals figured out but how long to wait between adding them is confusing me. I have a 4,000 gal. Above ground round intex pool. And I use the 4 step hth chemicals plus a clarifier when needed. What I am having trouble figuring out is how long to wait between adding chemicals. I have tested the water and added the ph reducer, is it okay that the chlorine tablet is floating in the pool during this step? Or all the steps? Since it is step 2, then how long do I wait to do steps 3 and then 4? Step 3 is the shock and 4 is the algaecide. All I can figure out is you wait 4-12 hours after those steps before you add the clarifier.
Adding Chemicals how long to wait between each?
- Thread starter JaiD
- Start date
Welcome to TFP!!!Generally you only need 15-30 minutes between chemical additions.
There is no worry about the tablet floating when adding pH reducer (I would recommend muriatic acid, BTW ... but do NOT dump it in near the tablet).
What are these "Steps" you are talking about? There is no need to be adding shock and clarifiers ... I think perhaps maybe you have been mislead and may not have the "chemicals figured out".
Have you discovered Pool School yet? Start with these:
ABCs of Water Chemistry
Recommended Pool Chemicals
How to Chlorinate Your Pool
My grandpa used to take me and my dad fishing on the Kettle river every summer when I was a kid, great memories!
You shouldn't need the clarifier and algaecide. Figure out which type of puck you have floating in there and look at the how to chlorinate your pool page to see what it adds. If it adds CYA that is good for seasonal/temporary pool like yours. The CYA buffers the chlorine and protects it from the sun. And the muriatic acid that Jason mentioned for reducing pH is what would work best with your water, it is likely high in TA (total alkalinity). The MA will help lower the TA which should make it easier to maintain a steady pH.
You shouldn't need the clarifier and algaecide. Figure out which type of puck you have floating in there and look at the how to chlorinate your pool page to see what it adds. If it adds CYA that is good for seasonal/temporary pool like yours. The CYA buffers the chlorine and protects it from the sun. And the muriatic acid that Jason mentioned for reducing pH is what would work best with your water, it is likely high in TA (total alkalinity). The MA will help lower the TA which should make it easier to maintain a steady pH.
I use the hth pool chemical brand from Walmart, it was all that was available there when I bought and set up my pool last year and worked well to keep the water clean and clear. This year I have been slacking in the pool care and now have a cloudy, green, bug filled, pool. So the steps I am talking about are on the package of the hth chemicals, 1. Balance, 2. Sanitize, 3. Shock, 4. Algae guard. And also Clarifier.
So 1. I balanced with the pH decreaser, because my alkalinity and pH are way too high, 2. I use a 3" chlorine tablet in a floating dispenser to sanitize, 3. It says to shock it once a week. And 4. Add algae gaurd 60 every 3-5 days to prevent algae. Also add clarifier 4-12 hrs after above steps, once a week to help get rid of algae and organic debris.
So 1. I balanced with the pH decreaser, because my alkalinity and pH are way too high, 2. I use a 3" chlorine tablet in a floating dispenser to sanitize, 3. It says to shock it once a week. And 4. Add algae gaurd 60 every 3-5 days to prevent algae. Also add clarifier 4-12 hrs after above steps, once a week to help get rid of algae and organic debris.
Hold on.
If you have a green pool, then you need to follow the SLAM Process process and not just blindly be adding chemicals with numbers on them.
I highly recommend you read some of the links I provided as it is going to help you understand the pool chemistry and save you a lot of money down the road.
We do not recommend "shocking" weekly. We do not recommend using algaecides. We do not recommend clarifiers. There is no need for any of this if you learn the Trouble Free Pool Care methods.
If you have a green pool, then you need to follow the SLAM Process process and not just blindly be adding chemicals with numbers on them.
I highly recommend you read some of the links I provided as it is going to help you understand the pool chemistry and save you a lot of money down the road.
We do not recommend "shocking" weekly. We do not recommend using algaecides. We do not recommend clarifiers. There is no need for any of this if you learn the Trouble Free Pool Care methods.
Okay so to clarify my pool isn't green, anymore, it was, due to my neglecting it, but I have been testing the water and adding the needed chemicals.
What I wanted to know was how long to wait between each chemical, because it was unclear.
I am not blindly dumping in numbered chemicals I know what each one is, what it is used for and how much to use to balance the water to the correct levels. I also do not add the chemicals every week like they suggest, only when needed. (Or not at all, hence my dirty pool issues.)
However I am reading the links you suggested and I am finding them very helpful, and that I have invested money into alot of unneeded chemicals. I will be implementing your suggestions and those of the site as soon as my current chemicals are gone, (since I don't want to waste the ones I unfortunately already bought,) As you said saving me money and also time in the long run. I wish I would have found this site last summer! Thank You for the help!
What I wanted to know was how long to wait between each chemical, because it was unclear.
I am not blindly dumping in numbered chemicals I know what each one is, what it is used for and how much to use to balance the water to the correct levels. I also do not add the chemicals every week like they suggest, only when needed. (Or not at all, hence my dirty pool issues.)
However I am reading the links you suggested and I am finding them very helpful, and that I have invested money into alot of unneeded chemicals. I will be implementing your suggestions and those of the site as soon as my current chemicals are gone, (since I don't want to waste the ones I unfortunately already bought,) As you said saving me money and also time in the long run. I wish I would have found this site last summer! Thank You for the help!
How do you define "correct levels"? Likely you will find that out recommended levels are different than what the pool industry tends to recommend.
Sorry, I did not mean to come off pushy or anything, but I am glad you took a look and found some information that will be helpful to you.
I will caution you however ... don't be fooled that using what you have because you already have it is necessarily a good idea. Some of the side-effects to some of the chemicals might lead you into trouble which will cost you more in the long run to fix.
We are here if you have further questions.
Please add your pool details to your signature when you get a chance.
Sorry, I did not mean to come off pushy or anything, but I am glad you took a look and found some information that will be helpful to you.
I will caution you however ... don't be fooled that using what you have because you already have it is necessarily a good idea. Some of the side-effects to some of the chemicals might lead you into trouble which will cost you more in the long run to fix.
We are here if you have further questions.
Please add your pool details to your signature when you get a chance.
JaiD, I get all my pool chemicals from either Menards or Walmart.
On a pool your size I'd wait 15 minutes between adding bleach/chlorine and adding acid or pH reducers, so pull the floater while your reducing the pH. The algaecides and clarifiers have been known to do more harm than good so if you can't return them then chalk it up to a lesson learned. I've got a very spendy lesson learned sitting on my equipment pad between a UV filter and automatic chlorinator.
On a pool your size I'd wait 15 minutes between adding bleach/chlorine and adding acid or pH reducers, so pull the floater while your reducing the pH. The algaecides and clarifiers have been known to do more harm than good so if you can't return them then chalk it up to a lesson learned. I've got a very spendy lesson learned sitting on my equipment pad between a UV filter and automatic chlorinator.