Balancing Your Fiberglass Pool’s Water Chemistry

Necessary Equipment: Water test kit, Salt test strips, Chlorine tabs, Liquid chlorine shock, Salt, Ph Increaser/ decreaser, Alkalinity increaser/decreaser, other Misc. chemicals as needed.

Testing the water

Ensure balanced and safe water chemistry.

Equipment Needed

Swimming pool water test kit

Technique
  • Use test strips or a liquid test kit.
  • Dip the test strip or gather a water sample according to the kit’s instructions.
  • Compare the results with the recommended ranges for pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium hardness.
Frequency

At least once a week.

Balancing pH

Maintain the ideal pH level (typically between 7.2 and 7.6).

Equipment Needed

pH reducer or increaser.

Technique
  • To Lower pH: Add a pH reducer following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • To Raise pH: Use a pH increaser as directed.
  • Re-test: After adjusting, retest the water to ensure the pH is within the desired range.
Frequency

As needed.

Note: If you have a Salt water chlorine generator your ph will natuarally rise as it create chlorine. Be sure to keep ph decreaser on hand.

Chlorine and Sanitizers

Maintain proper disinfection levels.

Equipment Needed

Chlorine Tabs, Liquid chlorine, Salt granuals.

Chlorine Pools
  • Chlorine Tablets/Liquid Chlorine: Add as per the results from your test kit to maintain the recommended chlorine levels.
  • Shock Treatment: Periodically (usually bi-weekly) perform a shock treatment to keep the water clear of contaminants.
Salt water pools
  • Ensure proper levels of salinty in your pool using a salt water test strip or device. (Preferred PPM is 3000)
  • Adjust salt water chlorinator output values per your sanitizer and salt test strips.
  • Add salt by pouring salt granuals direclty to your swimming pool and brushing around until they dissolve.
Frequency

Weekly or by-weekly.

Adjusting Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness

Keep alkalinity and calcium hardness within recommended levels.

Equipment Needed

alkalinity increaser or decreaser, Calcium hardness increaser.

Alkalinity

Use an alkalinity increaser or decreaser to maintain levels typically between 80-120 ppm.

Calcium Hardness

Adjust using calcium hardness increaser to keep levels within 200-400 ppm range.

Frequency

Weekly

Note: For preventative maintenance, keep an algaecide-specific chemical on hand. We recommend Algea break 90 and add a half bottle every 2-3 months. if your pool ever turns dark green, balance your water, then add 1-2 gallons of liquid chlorine and an entire bottle of the algaecide. Be sure to leave your pool running and to brush and vacuum the entire pool.