Pool Chemicals Explained

Are you wondering what swimming pool chemicals are actually used for?

So many of us just buy pool chemicals for the sake of buying them or because they read something on google and decided to go buy it and now it sits in the garage because you actually dont know how to use it.

Below we explain and list some of the most common swimming pool chemicals as well as there functions.

Algaecide – Algaecide or algicide is a biocide used for killing and preventing the growth of algae. It can also be used most effectively when your pool is chemically locked. This means no matter what pool chemicals you add or how much you add of them, the pool shows no sign of change in colour.

Aluminum powder – AKA Floc / Flocculant  is a pool chemical that you add to your pool when other methods of clearing it up aren’t working. The flocculants clump together floating particles in the water that are too small and light to sink to the bottom to be vacuumed up. This basically sinks the green color to the bottom of the pool.

Pool stabilizer – AKA UV Cover is often referred to by several names—chlorine stabilizer, pool conditioner, chlorine pool stabilizer, among others but basically, it is a pool chemical additive that functions to stabilize and extend the active life of the chlorine in the pool water.

You will also notice that this is why there are 2 kinds of pool floaters, ones that are already stabilized and the other non stabilized.

Gel Cubes –  Are a water flocculant and clarifier, which assist in keeping your pool water crystal clear. Add one Aqua Pro Gel Cube to your pool and follow by backwashing, to help fight algae and eliminate sub-micron particles.

Peroxide – When you combine the two pool chemicals, hydrogen peroxide neutralizes chlorine via a chemical process that creates water, oxygen and salt. Most useful in pools which struggle to turn blue.

HTH – Is made up of 5 different compounds which are: Calcium Hypochlorite which is the Grim Reaper of fungi, algae, slime, bacteria, and other swimming pool nasties. It kills through oxidation, which disrupts the cellular processes of microorganisms. Calcium Chloride regulates the hardness of pool water, Calcium Carbonate is alkalinity, Calcium Chlorate forms calcium in the pool and lastly Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate reduces the risk of combustion no pool party should end in flames.

Pool Acid – AKA Hydrochloric Acid the best method for maintaining proper water chemistry is by using hydrochloric acid, a clear and colorless liquid that’s created by combining water with hydrogen chloride. When placed in pool water, hydrochloric acid has proven to be profoundly effective at removing algae from the floors and walls of a pool while also lowering pH levels that have become harmful to your health.

Alkalinity – What is important to understand is that alkalinity helps stabilize the pH balance in your pool, and keeping it within normal range can save you a lot of headaches as well as solve a lot of problems. The recommended range for a swimming pool’s total alkalinity is between 80 and 120 parts per million.

Floater – Floating chlorine dispensers, sometimes referred to as floaters or feeders, come in many forms but are used for the same basic purposes: to add chlorine to your pool’s water. These devices dispense a set amount of chemicals into your pool throughout the months when it’s closed and covered.

Soda Ash – Soda Ash has many other applications; is used to control pH in water treatment, neutralising acidity and eliminating issues with corrosion; it is an important component in the manufacture of paper pulp and in the recycling of paper; and dense food grade Soda Ash is used to produce products like baking soda.