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Swimming Pool Chemicals
As you may or may not be aware, swimming pool pumps and pool cleaners do the majority of work to help keep your pool free from dirt and debris. But a clean looking swimming pool does not mean a safe and hygienic pool, this is where pool chemicals come into the equation.
Pool chemicals assist by keeping the pool clean from bad bacteria’s and algae that can accumulate in the water. With all the different types of pool chemicals available it can be tough to get the right chemicals and the right balance of chemicals correct. Improper use of chemicals can cause the following side effects in your pool:
- Bad bacteria and disease can spread amongst humans and animals through pool water if chemicals are not added properly
- If too many chemicals are added to the pool (i.e. a ratio too high) this could potentially damage parts of your pool.
- If too many chemicals (or too much of the same chemical) are added to the pool it can causes irritation of the skin and eyes.
- If the pool looks cloudy this could mean you have added to many chemicals.
So What Chemicals do I Need
Whilst there are dozens of different pool chemicals you can add to your pool I’ve kept this page simple by explaining the basic ones. I have explained below the main chemicals you need for you’re in ground or above ground swimming pool to maintain normal day to day use.
Chlorine - Chlorine is the most common form of pool chemical and has been used for decades, chlorine comes in a several 
forms, firstly a solid form such as granules, tablets or sticks (calcium hypochlorite) secondly a liquid form (sodium hypochlorite) and lastly a gas form (gaseous chlorine).
When chlorine is added to your pool it reacts with the water and forms various chemicals such as hypochlorous acid, which kills bacteria and other pathogens. Another property of chlorine is to prevent algae from growing in your pool.
One problem with chlorine is that it’s not particularly stable, this means it will degrade from ultraviolet light (from the sun). Some pool chlorine chemicals include stabilizing agents which help maintain the chlorine in the pool for longer. Without stabilizing agents the chlorine would typically last 2-3 days but with them it can last 3 times longer.
So make sure to choose chlorine that has a stabilizing agent in the chlorine, otherwise you will have to purchase this separately.
Ph Reducer & Increaser – Your swimming pool needs to have the right pH balance in order to maintain a healthy balance. pH I a measure of acidity or alkalinity of an element (in this case the pool). To test the pH balance of your pool you can purchase a pH pool testing kit, supplied by many manufactures. A good pH balance for your pool should be between 7.2 and 7.8 on the scale.
- pH Increaser – if your pool reading has too much acid (lower than 7.2pH) this means you need to add pH increaser to your pool until the balance reaches the 7.2 – 7.8pH levels.
- pH Reducer – if your pool reading has too much alkaline (higher than 7.8pH) it means you need to add pH reducer to your pool.
Bromine – Bromine is another type of chemical that’s used to sanitize you’re swimming pool. Brome is similar to chlorine in the way that it kills bacteria and is commonly used in spas/hot tubs due to the stability of it in high water temperatures.
Bromine is also the preferred method by spa/hot tub owners because it does not cause as much irritation of the skin and eyes compared to chlorine. Bromine is available similar to chlorine in tablet or powder form. Also Bromine tends to last longer in your pool water compared to chlorine, the only disadvantage to bromine for use in a swimming pool is the fact it costs more compared to chlorine tablets.
How Often Do I Add Chemicals to My Swimming Pool?
During the summer season where the pool will be used the most, you should be adding the necessary chemicals to your pool on a weekly basis. You can always purchase a pool testing kit and measure the pH levels on a regular basis which will give you a good indication of what chemicals need to be added.