Is Pool Chlorine The Same As Household Bleach
Liquid chlorine
Household bleach and pool chlorine are the same thing. They are identical in every way, with the exception of strength.
There are two sizes of chlorine tablets: one-inch and three-inch. Unless you have an extremely small pool, the size of the tablet will depend on the type and size of the dispenser. For small pools, the one-inch tablet is generally sufficient.
Typically, a 3-inch pool chlorine tablet is designed to chlorinate from 7,500 to 10,000 gallons of water per week, meaning it’ll take seven days to dissolve. If you have a 30,000-gallon pool, you’ll need to place three 3-inch pool chlorine tablets in a chlorinator or floater.
Calcium Hardness In Swimming Pool Water
- checking pH and chlorine levels daily. Preferably before the first swim of the day to make sure the water quality hasn’t altered overnight.
- checking the pH and chlorine twice daily in very hot weather.
- monitoring chlorine levels in heated pools which need more chlorine than non-heated pools.
- brushing and vacuuming your pool on a regular basis.
- regularly checking the pump, skimmer boxes and other pool equipment, and repair or replace parts as necessary.
What Chemicals Do You Need For A Pool
What Chemicals are Needed for Pools?
- TriChlor: 3 tabs, or 1 tabs or sticks.
- DiChlor: granular.
- Bromine: 1 tabs.
- Cyanuric Acid: Liquid or dry chlorine stabilizer.
- Calcium Hypochlorite: Cal Hypo pool shock is used to quickly sanitize pool water, boost chlorine levels and kill algae.
. Similarly, are pool chemicals necessary?
A you can see, there are several chemicals that you need to maintain your pool. These include chlorine, a stabilizer such as cyanuric acid, a pool shock treatment, and an acid to bring down the pH of your pool.
Subsequently, question is, how long after putting chlorine in pool Can you swim? It is recommended to wait at least 20 minutes to an hour after adding water balancing chemicals. You should wait 2-4 hours to swim from the moment you use calcium chloride in your pool. It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours.
Also Know, what chemicals do I need for my Intex pool?
Intex Pool Chemical Startup List
- Alkalinity increaser
- Calcium hardness increaser
- Sanitizer
How do you keep a pool clean without chemicals?
How to Clean Your Pool Without Chemicals
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Why You Need To Use Chemicals For Intex Pools
Chemicals for Intex pools does not only let you have a good swimming environment to enjoy your pool, but also helps prolong the lifespan of your Intex pool.
A well-balanced pool water is great for your pool interiors and for the pool accessories youre using, while an unbalanced water may damage them. This also means that adding chemicals in your Intex pools can save you money in the long run since you dont need to replace your pool accessories due to having an unbalanced pool water.
Also, despite being referred to as chemicals for Intex pools, they can be beneficial to keep you and your family healthy when you use your Intex pool. Since these Intex pool chemicals help eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, microbes, and algae in your swimming pool.
Can I Swim In My Pool Without Chemicals
Yes, you can keep a pool sanitized and clean enough to safely swim in without using chemicals. The most common approaches are to use a saltwater based system, use ozone purification methods, use an ultraviolet pool sanitizing light, or empty and refill the pool water regularly.
Its most common for inflatable pool owners to use a saltwater sanitizing system, or to empty and refill the pool if its small enough. Emptying and refilling a small inflatable pool or a kiddie pool is the cheapest and easiest way to ensure the water is clean enough to swim in.
Empty and refill the water of small pools every few days to avoid worrying about chemicals or testing pH levels.
Heres a cool video showing a family with a biological pool filter. These are not very common, wont work for inflatable pools, and can be quite expensive, but its a cool idea anyway.
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What Is An Intex Pool
Intex pools are above ground pools that come in a variety of styles, but all of them are easy to set up and easy to maintain. They have sizes to fit any space and prices to fit any budget.
Intex also happens to be a very trusted brand in the pool industry, which is why we recommend them. After all, even a budget-friendly pool is an investment. So, quality and longevity are usually top priorities.
Another great thing about these pools is that they often come with their own sets that can include ladders, pumps, covers, and vacuums. These are accessories you need for any above ground pool, so the fact that they come with their own means you spend less money and less time looking for the ones that will work with yours.
Ph Adjusting Chemicals For Pool Start Up
Your pH level is really important for keeping your pool in good working order. If this is off, then your chlorine wont be working properly which can lead to unsafe water and too much chlorine.
Your pH level should be the second thing that you address when adding chemicals. The ideal range is between 7.2 and 7.6. This is perfect for your chlorine and for keeping your water safe for use.
If your pH level is too high, you can use the same pH decreaser that you would use for adjusting alkalinity. Be sure to check that level again afterwards.
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Intex Pool Water Balance
Lets start with the basics. Pool water balance refers to the levels of pH, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness. Balanced water is less likely to become cloudy or green. This important part of water maintenance also protects your vinyl Intex pool, and is more comfortable for swimmers. Before getting started, test the water with an at-home test kit or test strips .
pH
Remember that pH is the key to a healthy pool. When pH rises above 7.8, your chlorine becomes less effective, and the potential for stains and scale formation increases. Likewise, a pH under 7.2 is considered acidic, and may cause skin and eye irritation as well as corrode pool equipment. Unbalanced pH is hard on vinyl Intex pools, and this damage is not covered under warranty. Use pH Reducer to lower pH levels or pH Increaser to raise levels into the ideal range of 7.4-7.6.
Total Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity affects pH and is best in the range of 80-120 ppm . When TA is too low, pH becomes erratic and unstable, and when too high, the pH is difficult to adjust. When your TA is not in range, adjust this first before addressing pH. Use pH Reducer if TA is over 120 ppm. If TA is under 80 ppm, the product you use depends on pH levels. When both TA and pH are very low , make sure your pool water is free of metals, then add pH Increaser. If only TA is low, use Alkalinity Increaser to bring the levels up.
Calcium Hardness
Storing An Intex Pool In The Winter
For those who live in areas where the temperature does not drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the Intex pool may be left up year-round. The pool should be taken down in areas which expect freezing temperatures. To accomplish this:
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Other Intex Pool Chemicals
Maintaining a good pH level and consistent chlorine reading is good enough for some pools. But with a small pool filter and high pool use, your water may need additional help.
Algaecides are used to prevent algae growth in a pool. Added weekly, the liquid works to dissolve algaes outer protective layers so that chlorine can penetrate and kill it.
Clarifiers help small pool filters trap tiny particles. They coagulate fine contaminants into larger clumps that are more easily trapped by your Intex pool filter. If youre struggling with cloudy pool water issues and the water is properly balanced, try using a clarifier to turn the water crystal clear again.
Enzymes work wonders for dissolving oily bather waste and other non-living organic contaminants. These contaminants are often the culprits for cloudy water, and they can gum up small cartridge filters. Enzymes break them down and help your sanitizer work more efficiently.
Intex Pools Vs Traditional Pools
Compared to inground or above ground models, Intex pools require less investment and zero construction. Options range from basic inflatables to steel-framed models you can convert to a permanent part of your yard. They often include a ground cover and debris cover.
Intex pools often include cartridge filters and pumps as well, which makes it easy to get swimming sooner. The filter pumps capacity varies with the pool size you choose. Intex pumps also have a built-in ground fault circuit interrupter that automatically shuts down the pump if any electrical current is exposed to water.
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Water Treatment For Inflatable Pools: What You Need To Know
When we first got our inflatable pool, I had a lot of questions about chemicals, chlorine, and often to change the water. After hours of research and trying different things myself, I have a solid answer to inflatable pool water treatments.
For larger inflatable pools, checking the pH, adding chlorine, and adding CYA are recommended to obtain a pH between 7.4 to 7.6 and a chlorine part per million between 1 to 3. Smaller inflatable pools, under 10 feet wide, require less chemicals, with ideal pH levels being between 7.2 to 7.8.
Not every inflatable pool will need chlorine however, some people actually prefer not to use it. Below I will show you the step by step process to add chlorine and chemicals to an inflatable pool, and some alternatives if you prefer not to.
Start With Total Alkalinity
While most startup pool chemical guides suggest starting with pH, we recommend balancing total alkalinity instead.
And heres why: alkalinity is what stabilizes your pH.
Alkaline prevents your pH from fluctuating, which makes balancing your water MUCH easier. So by getting your Total Alkalinity levels right first, youll be able to adjust your pH faster.
Proper levels for Total Alkalinity range between 80 to 120 ppm.
To increase your waters Total Alkalinity: Use an alkalinity increaser . Baking soda also works for increasing alkalinity, although its not as effective.
To decrease your waters Total Alkalinity: Use an alkalinity decreaser . In emergency situations, small doses of muriatic acid can also be used for lowering pH.
Once your alkalinity is within the 80-120 ppm range, its time to start adjusting pH.
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How Many Hours Should You Run Your Intex Pool Pump
To keep your water clean and clear it is recommended that you run your Intex pool pump for at least eight hours each day. This helps clear debris and other pool contaminants, and save you money on energy and maintenance costs.
Did Not Find What Youre Looking For?
Here Are Other Chemicals For Intex Pools You Might Consider
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Chlorine For Pool Start Up
This might be the most important pool chemical that you have to use. Chlorine keeps your water clean and safe for use.
Too much chlorine though, can make your water sting and damage the skin of anyone who swims in it. This is definitely something you want to avoid. Fe people are convinced that the stink of chlorine is worth it for a cleaner pool!
You need to raise your chlorine level quickly during pool start up. This is a type of shock treatment that should get your water clean without degrading any of your other chemical levels.
When adding chlorine, you need to follow the instructions of the manufacturer for dosage and how long to leave the chemical before adding more. It is important to be careful with it.
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Intex Pool Care: How To Maintain An Intex Above Ground Pool
- |March 22, 2021
Theres an endless amount of information on how to properly take care of a traditional inground swimming pool, be it concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl liner.
When it comes to above ground pools, however, Intex pools are where its at. Theyve long been the go-to above ground pool due to their ease of use, excellent quality, and low cost.
But how does Intex pool care differ from maintaining a traditional inground or above ground pool?
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Safety Suggestions For Pool Chemicals
- Keep pool chemicals away from other chemicals and locked up in a cool, dry place.
- Do not store pool chemicals near other chemicals or flammables, including petrol, detergents or alcohol.
- Always use chemicals strictly as instructed.
- Never combine chemicals together for example, mixing different types of chlorine together can cause an explosion.
- To avoid splashing the chemicals, always add the chemicals to water and not the other way around.
- Don’t add the water to the chemicals.
- If you are splashed, rinse contaminated clothing straight away and wash your skin thoroughly in plenty of water.
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Algaecides And Stain Removers
If you have balanced your chemicals right, then your Intex pool should be ready for swimmers, but there are still a few more items you need to throw in from your Intex pool chemicals startup kit an algaecide, enzyme treatment/stain remover, and clarifier.
You can use an algaecide when cleaning your pool or after adding your chemicals. Either way, this treatment should be used at least once a week to inhibit the growth of algae.
To prevent or remove pool stains, add a stain remover or an enzyme treatment to your pool at least once a month.
To prevent or treat a cloudy Intex pool, use a clarifier and DE powder. Also, keep your pool water balanced.
How To Set Up An Intex Metal Frame Pool
The first thing you need to do before setting up an above ground pool is to level the ground where it will be placed. Dont worry. Its not as hard as it sounds!
Most of the time, you can find fairly level ground to place it on. And keep in mind that it doesnt have to be perfect. A little sand in some low spots and a shovel to chip away any high spots and youre probably all set.
Also, try to rake the ground and make sure there are no sharp objects or rocks that could cause lumps in the bottom of the pool.
Next, place the ground cover your pool came with or a tarp large enough to cover the area on the level ground. Spread it out evenly and then place the pool directly on top.
Youll also need to spread the pool liner out evenly. It helps to let it sit out in the sun for a couple of hours to warm it up and make it more pliable.
Now youll just follow the instructions for inserting all the supports into the tee joints and fasten them with the provided pins and washers. Youll do this around the entire parameter of the pool.
Once those are all connected, youll attach the metal frame supports to them. Its important in this step to make sure youre passing the vertical supports through both the belt and lower rope as shown here in this pic from Level Ground Pool:
Photo credit:
All thats left to do now is to fill it up with water, attach the pump, and add your chemicals .
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Tips To Keep Your Intex Pool Clean
If you have a swimming pool in the garden, you know that it must be constantly maintained to ensure that you can continue to enjoy beautiful clear and safe water. However, the importance of keeping the pool clean is often underestimated, and there is a lot involved in keeping an Intex pool in top condition.
To make this job perhaps a little easier, we have collected seven tips for you. From tips regarding pH value to automatic cleaning. However, not all tips will apply to every Intex swimming pool, large swimming pools require a slightly different regime than smaller swimming pools.
Intex Pool Chemicals Final Thoughts
As we mentioned earlier, using chemicals for Intex pools would be a great help to keep your pool water clean and clear, and also help in prolonging your Intex pools lifespan.
Since adding chemicals in your Intex pool is not that complex of a process, you can easily get used to it after doing it once or twice.
If you have any questions with regards to buying, storing, or adding chemicals to your Intex pool, you may refer to our FAQs section.
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