Pool Chemistry 101

🧪 The Core 5 Pool Chemistry Basics

1. Chlorine (or Bromine) The Sanitizer

• What it does: Kills bacteria, algae, and anything funky.
• Ideal range:
  • Chlorine: 1–3 ppm
  • Bromine: 3–5 ppm
• Pro tip: If your pool smells super strong, you might need more, not less. That smell means chlorine is tied up as chloramines.

2. pH Level The Balance Boss

• What it does: Measures how acidic or basic your water is.
• Ideal range: 7.4–7.6
• Too low: Acidic = corrosion
• Too high: Basic = scale and cloudy water

3. Total Alkalinity (TA) The pH Bodyguard

• What it does: Keeps your pH from bouncing around like a kid on a trampoline.
• Ideal range: 80–120 ppm
• Low TA: pH swings
• High TA: Cloudy water, scaling

4. Calcium Hardness Armor for Your Pool Surfaces

• What it does: Prevents plaster and grout from dissolving.
• Ideal range:
  • Plaster pools: 200–275 ppm
  • Vinyl pools: 175–225 ppm

5. Stabilizer (CYA) The Sunscreen for Chlorine

• What it does: Protects chlorine from getting burned off by the sun.
• Ideal range: 30–50 ppm
• Too much: Chlorine becomes less effective
• Too little: Chlorine disappears fast

🧼 Weekly Pool Care Checklist

• Test water (test strips or digital testers)
• Adjust pH and alkalinity first before sanitizer
• Brush walls and vacuum floor
• Check skimmer and pump baskets
• Shock the pool after heavy use or rainstorms

🧨 Common Pool Problems and Fixes

• Cloudy Water? Check pH, sanitizer levels, and filter performance
• Algae? Slam it with chlorine, brush like crazy, consider an algaecide
• Scale on tile? Calcium too high or pH drifting up. Use a scale remover
• Green Tint? Might be metals. Use a metal sequestrant

🔧 AquaDoc Products (With Chemical Names)

• AquaDoc Filter Cleaner (Chemical: Sodium carbonate, surfactants) – Clean your cartridge or DE filter once a month
• AquaDoc Stain & Scale Remover (Chemical: Citric acid or HEDP) – Targets minerals like iron, copper, calcium
• AquaDoc Calcium Increaser (Chemical: Calcium chloride) – Raise calcium hardness safely
• AquaDoc Algaecide (Chemical: Polyquaternium or Copper sulfate) – Helps control and prevent algae growth
• AquaDoc Phosphate Remover (Chemical: Lanthanum chloride) – Eliminates food source for algae, helps reduce blooms
• AquaDoc Water Clarifier (Chemical: Polyacrylamide) – Clumps tiny particles for easier filtration
• AquaDoc Flocculant (Chemical: Aluminum sulfate) – Binds particles to settle at the bottom for vacuuming
• AquaDoc Natural Enzyme Clarifier (Chemical: Enzymes) – Breaks down oils and organic matter
• AquaDoc Weekly Enzyme (Chemical: Enzymes) – Maintains water clarity by digesting contaminants
• AquaDoc Pool Starter (Chemical: Various) – Prepares pool water for the season
• AquaDoc Opening Kit (Chemical: Various) – Comprehensive kit for pool opening
• AquaDoc Pool Closer (Chemical: Various) – Prepares pool for winterization
• AquaDoc Winterizing Kit (Chemical: Various) – Complete set for winter pool care
• AquaDoc Natural Heat Lock (Chemical: Liquid solar cover) – Reduces heat loss and evaporation

Keeping your pool chemistry balanced isn't rocket science, it's pool science. Stick to these basics, and your water will stay sparkling all summer long.