With the vast amount of pool chemicals available today, it’s understandable why some people get stuck for choice or lost with the right mix to buy. That’s why we’ve decided to put a handy pool chemical guide together to inform you of what each chemical does and how they solve any issues you may have.
Keep reading for a few of our favourite pool chemicals, as well as the correct ways to dispose of them.
Why do I need to stay on top of my pool chemical balance?
Over time, your water chemistry will fluctuate and become higher or lower than the recommended level, which is why it’s essential to test the chemical balance often. If you don’t maintain the correct levels, then the water will become unsafe for swimming, as well as damaging to the pool shell itself, potentially causing cracking and corrosion.
Unsure of where to start with pool chemical tests? Check out our latest guide: How to test your pool chemistry, exploring using different options, including test strips, kits and digital pool testers.
What chemicals do you recommend?
At Go Aqua, we stock a range of chemicals, including Chlorine, Bromine, Oxidisers, Cyanuric Acid, pH increasers and decreasers and Alkalinity Adjusters, however, it can be confusing to know the different brands and individual products to use within these. Here’s a small breakdown of just a few of our most used products:
Chlorine Shocks
A chlorine shock should always be used first to boost the chlorine levels in your pool, which keep your pool sanitary and hygienic. Fi-Clor Superfast granules can be used as a regular sanitiser as well as a shock chlorine treatment and are perfect for indoor and outdoor pools alike.
Algaecides
Algaecides are added to a pool following a chlorine shock and aim to stop the build-up of algae on your pool sides, therefore avoiding any green staining. At GO Aqua, we stock a range of algaecides, including Quat Pool Algeaecides (Quaternary Ammonium compounds), Polymer Pool Algaecides (Poly-Quat compounds), Metallic Pool Algaecides and Sodium Bromide.
pH Increasers and Decreasers
pH Increasers and Decreasers
These are chemicals that stop your pool’s alkalinity level from becoming too low or acidic. The incorrect level here may lead to staining cloudy water and skin rashes, so should be monitored frequently.
If your total alkalinity drops below 80m/L then we would recommend Alca-Plus– a granular product for establishing a fluctuating pH level. The total alkalinity has a huge effect on the pH value and can make adjustment extremely difficult in case of a deviation from the recommended set value. Alca-Plus prevents pH fluctuations and brings the water back into balance.
On the other hand, if your pH is above 7.4, we would recommend pH-Minus Granules, which lower the pH value of the pool water. The dosing scoop in each tub allows easy dosing of the granules, as well as an accurate adjustment of the pH value.
Another handy chemical we recommend to our customers is Superflock Plus, a flocculant cartridge for use with sand filters. Due to its special formulation, the contents of the Superflock Plus cartridge dissolve slowly, making it a continuous flocculation.
For a full breakdown of what each chemical level means, check out our previous article.
Top Tip: With all chemicals used, make sure to follow the label instructions for dosage guidance and do not mix Algaecide and Shock treatment!
How do I dispose of my chemicals?
When disposing of your chemicals, make sure you do not put them in your regular household waste bin. Pool chemicals are potentially dangerous and so should always be placed in a hazardous waste disposal service centre. You can visit the Gov website for services in your area.
Most chemicals will last a long while unless they’re in liquid form like Sodium Hypochlorite, which has a shorter life span, so make sure you find out the recommended usage period of the chemicals you order.
