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Swim University

Pool Water Chemistry

Every pool owner needs to know how to maintain the pH and chlorine levels. But, do you know what the optimal levels are? How often should you test your pool water? What is a shock treatment and how often should it be performed? We’ll cover all this and more!

When is it Safe to Swim After Adding Pool Chemicals?

When is it Safe to Swim After Adding Pool Chemicals?

Your levels, like pH and chlorine, should all be in range before anyone gets in the water. But how long does that usually take?

How to Safely Add Muriatic Acid In Your Pool to Lower pH and Alkalinity

How to Safely Add Muriatic Acid In Your Pool to Lower pH and Alkalinity

Muriatic acid is a cheap way to balance your pool's chemistry, but it can be dangerous. Here's how to use muriatic acid safely in your pool.

The Complete Guide to Pool Mineral Systems

The Complete Guide to Pool Mineral Systems

Tired of dry skin, brittle hair, and stinky "chlorine" smell? Want to spend less time balancing the water? Might be time to try a pool mineral system.

How Much of Each Chemical to Add to Your Pool

How Much of Each Chemical to Add to Your Pool

You know you have to add chemicals to your pool, but how much? Here’s a quick guide on how much of each pool chemical you need to add.

How To Raise The pH Level In Your Pool: The Easy Way

How To Raise The pH Level In Your Pool: The Easy Way

A step-by-step guide on how to raise ph in your pool with three inexpensive solutions: Soda ash, baking soda, or pH increaser.

Cyanuric Acid: Why Your Pool Needs It and How To Balance It

Cyanuric Acid: Why Your Pool Needs It and How To Balance It

At the right levels, cyanuric acid protects chlorine in your pool and helps keep your water sanitized. Here's how to balance cyanuric acid.

How Much Salt to Add to Your Pool (Easy Pool Salt Calculation)

How Much Salt to Add to Your Pool (Easy Pool Salt Calculation)

Wondering how much salt to add to your pool? Here's a simple formula for figuring out how many bags of salt you need.

How to Raise Free Chlorine Levels in a Pool

How to Raise Free Chlorine Levels in a Pool

There are a few causes of low chlorine in a pool. But they're easy to fix. So here's a quick guide on how to raise free chlorine in your pool.

How to Lower pH in a Pool Quickly with These Common Chemicals

How to Lower pH in a Pool Quickly with These Common Chemicals

Are your pool's pH levels too high? Here's how to lower pH in a pool using either pH decreaser or muriatic acid.

Alkalinity Too High? Here’s How to Lower Alkalinity in a Pool Quickly

Alkalinity Too High? Here’s How to Lower Alkalinity in a Pool Quickly

If your total alkalinity levels are too high, here's how to how to lower alkalinity in a pool with either muriatic acid or pH reducer.

How to Shock a Pool The Right Way

How to Shock a Pool The Right Way

Been a while since you shocked your pool? You're laying out a doormat for algae and other contaminants. Put up a keep out sign with a dose of pool shock.

CYA Levels Low? Here’s How To Raise Cyanuric Acid in a Pool

CYA Levels Low? Here’s How To Raise Cyanuric Acid in a Pool

Need to raise the cyanuric acid in your pool? Here are two simple ways to bring up the CYA levels in your pool.

How to Add Chlorine to a Pool (Tablets, Granules, Liquid)

How to Add Chlorine to a Pool (Tablets, Granules, Liquid)

Whether you’re using tablets, granules, or liquid chlorine, you need to add chlorine to your pool about once a week. So here’s a quick guide...

How Much Chlorine Should I Add to My Pool?

How Much Chlorine Should I Add to My Pool?

How much chlorine does your pool need? It depends on the size of your pool and what type of chlorine you buy. Here's our complete guide...

Above Ground Pool Chemicals: How to Balance Your Water

Above Ground Pool Chemicals: How to Balance Your Water

Did you know you should be adjusting your above ground pool chemicals once a week? Here’s a quick guide on how to test and balance your pool.

The Complete Guide to Pool Water Testing

The Complete Guide to Pool Water Testing

Are you leaving some important substances out of your pool water testing? Learn what you might be missing, how it can affect your pool, and how to fix it.

How Much Shock Should You Add to Your Pool

How Much Shock Should You Add to Your Pool

Exactly how much shock should you add to your pool? It depends on your pool's water. Here's how to calculate the right amount of pool shock.

The Best Pool Chemical Calculator Apps

The Best Pool Chemical Calculator Apps

We’ve put together a list of exceptional spa and pool chemical calculator apps you can use for water balancing and maintenance.

Pool Volume Calculator: How Many Gallons of Water Does Your Pool Hold?

Pool Volume Calculator: How Many Gallons of Water Does Your Pool Hold?

Exactly how much water does your pool hold? Use this pool volume calculator and reference chart to quickly find out.

The Best Chlorine Tablets for Your Pool (and How to Safely Add Them)

The Best Chlorine Tablets for Your Pool (and How to Safely Add Them)

Should you switch from granules to chlorine tablets? Yes, if you're looking for an easier, more effective way to sanitize your pool. Find out why.

Best Pool Test Kits for the Most Accurate Water Readings

Best Pool Test Kits for the Most Accurate Water Readings

Looking for the best pool test kit? Here are the most accurate and reliable options for testing your pool water chemistry.

Pool Test Strips: How to Use Them the Right Way

Pool Test Strips: How to Use Them the Right Way

Need to test your pool water? Here's the right way to use pool test strips to get the most accurate reading.

How Long to Wait to Swim After Shocking a Pool

How Long to Wait to Swim After Shocking a Pool

How long should you wait to swim after shocking your pool? It depends on the type of shock you use. Here's a quick guide on how long to wait.

CYA Levels High? Here’s How To Lower Cyanuric Acid in a Pool

CYA Levels High? Here’s How To Lower Cyanuric Acid in a Pool

Need to lower the cyanuric acid in your pool? Here's the guaranteed way to bring down your CYA levels in your pool water.

Non-Chlorine Shock: Is It Better For Your Pool Than Chlorine?

Non-Chlorine Shock: Is It Better For Your Pool Than Chlorine?

Is a non-chlorine shock right for your pool? Here are a few pool maintenance scenarios when it works well and when it doesn't.

What’s the Best Pool Shock for Your Swimming Pool?

What’s the Best Pool Shock for Your Swimming Pool?

Finding the best pool shock depends on the type of pool you have and what water issues you're dealing with. Here's what to look for.

Salt Water Pools: How Do They Work and Are They Worth It?

Salt Water Pools: How Do They Work and Are They Worth It?

Should you convert your chlorine pool to a salt water pool? Before you buy a salt water system, here are the must-know pros and cons.

Pool Clarifier: How Does It Work and Is It Better Than Pool Flocculant?

Pool Clarifier: How Does It Work and Is It Better Than Pool Flocculant?

Pool clarifier is an easy way to clear up cloudy pool water. But how should you use it? Here's when to use a water clarifier for your pool.

Pool Flocculant: How Does It Work and Is It Better Than Pool Clarifier?

Pool Flocculant: How Does It Work and Is It Better Than Pool Clarifier?

Pool flocculant can clear up cloudy pool water fast. But when should you use flocculant over clarifier? Here's exactly how to use pool floc.

Automatic Pool Chlorinators: How Do They Work and Are They Worth It?

Automatic Pool Chlorinators: How Do They Work and Are They Worth It?

A pool chlorinator is an easy way of automatically dispensing chlorine into your pool. Here's what to know about using one in your pool.

How To Raise Your Pool’s Alkalinity with Baking Soda

How To Raise Your Pool’s Alkalinity with Baking Soda

Some brands of alkalinity increaser are just sodium bicarbonate which is baking soda. Learn when and how much baking soda to add to your pool.

How to Protect Your Chlorine Level with Pool Stabilizer

How to Protect Your Chlorine Level with Pool Stabilizer

Does adding a pool chemical once a year sound too good to be true? Welcome to pool stabilizer! Learn how important it is to your pool's cleanliness.

9 Common Salt Water Pool Maintenance Mistakes

9 Common Salt Water Pool Maintenance Mistakes

Salt water pools are different than traditional pools. So here are the common salt water pool maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them.

How to Cure Chlorine Lock and Chlorine Demand

How to Cure Chlorine Lock and Chlorine Demand

How do you know if your pool suffers from chlorine lock or demand? Hint: Only one of them is a valid problem. Find out which one and how to fix it.

How to Lower The Chlorine in Your Pool

How to Lower The Chlorine in Your Pool

Is your chlorine too high? We’ll show you how to reduce your chlorine levels and usage in your swimming pool.

How to Convert Your Pool to Salt Water

How to Convert Your Pool to Salt Water

Considering salt water pool conversion? Learn why it’s a good idea, and how a salt chlorinator makes it easier than you might imagine.

How to Get a Chlorine Free Pool

How to Get a Chlorine Free Pool

A chlorine free pool? How is that even possible? With one of the many alternatives available to sanitize your pool.

The Truth about Nitrates in Your Pool

The Truth about Nitrates in Your Pool

Nitrates in your pool? Only one solution: Get every bit of nitrate out! Or, do the logical thing, and educate yourself first. You’ll be glad you did.

Liquid Chlorine or Chlorine Granules: What’s the Difference?

Liquid Chlorine or Chlorine Granules: What’s the Difference?

Which one's the better sanitizer? Liquid chlorine or chlorine granules? The answer won't shock you: It depends.

How to Balance the Calcium Hardness Level in Your Pool

How to Balance the Calcium Hardness Level in Your Pool

Learning how to manage and control the calcium hardness in your pool is a big step toward keeping it clean, clear, and swimmable all season long.

The Truth About Phosphates in Pool Water

The Truth About Phosphates in Pool Water

You've probably heard phosphate remover is essential to pool care. We did some research and the truth is, it's not. Learn why you should save your money.

The Difference Between Total and Free Chlorine

The Difference Between Total and Free Chlorine

Is there enough free chlorine in your pool? If not, the pool's not as clean as you think it is. The key is understanding both total and free chlorine.

The Complete Guide to Pool Ionizers

The Complete Guide to Pool Ionizers

Are you sensitive to harsh chlorine? Just want a gentler sanitizer? A pool ionizer that uses mineral ions to clean the water may be the way to go.

Baquacil Pool Chemistry 101: The Complete Guide

Baquacil Pool Chemistry 101: The Complete Guide

Tired of dry skin after every swim? Give Baquacil a try. It'll require added expense and extra work, but that may be worth the benefits of biguanide.

Basic Pool Chemistry 101

Basic Pool Chemistry 101

If you know which pool chemicals to use and when, and how to balance your pool chemistry, you're well on your way to being an expert pool owner.

Calcium Hypochlorite: The Best Shock For Your Pool

Calcium Hypochlorite: The Best Shock For Your Pool

Does the type of pool shock you use make a difference? If you're not using calcium hypochlorite to shock your pool, you may want to reconsider your choice.

The Definitive Guide to Salt Chlorine Generators

The Definitive Guide to Salt Chlorine Generators

Been dreaming about a salt water pool? Dream no more! You can get softer water and less maintenance with a salt chlorine generator.

Stabilized and Unstabilized Chlorine: What’s the Difference?

Stabilized and Unstabilized Chlorine: What’s the Difference?

Learn the difference between stabilized and unstabilized chlorine so you can choose the one that will work best in your pool.

The Best Pool Salt You Should Use and Why

The Best Pool Salt You Should Use and Why

You could pour kitchen salt into your pool. Or you can make it easier on yourself. The right kind of pool salt will work better and save you money.

The Truth About Using Algaecide In Your Pool

The Truth About Using Algaecide In Your Pool

Before you buy algecide, ask yourself: Is it the best way to get rid of algae in your pool? Despite the name, the answer is may not be what you think.