6 POOL CHEMICALS to Stop Buying Right Now

6 POOL CHEMICALS to Stop Buying Right Now | Swim University

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Күн бұрын

Keeping your pool’s water chemistry balanced is important. But you actually don’t have to buy every chemical that’s recommended. In fact, you can find cheaper substitutions in the laundry aisle at the grocery store. And there are some pool chemicals you can avoid buying altogether. Even chlorine. So here are 6 pool chemicals you can stop buying right now and what you should buy instead.
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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Stop Buying These Pool Chemicals
00:37 - #1. Alkalinity Increaser
01:05 - #2. pH Increaser
01:51 - #3. pH Decreaser
02:27 - #4. Chlorine Stabilizer
02:48 - #5. Calcium Hardness
03:04 - #6. Phosphate Remover
03:21 - How to Stop Buying Chlorine
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Swim University has made swimming pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners. And each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. And it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University.
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Пікірлер: 82

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

What pool chemicals have YOU stopped buying? Let us know in the comments. And if you need more pool care help, grab the free cheatsheet at www.swimuniversity.com/cheatsheet 👍

@jamieolson287 8 ай бұрын

Chlorine Stabilizer. Alkalinity Increaser. And you just saved me from buying PHOSPHATE REMOVER! 😊THANKS SO MUCH 🎉

@vinceferraccioli4661 8 ай бұрын

Wow finally someone coming out and giving you honest tips about chemicals I've been using Myriadic acid and baking soda for years

@OleensEmbroidery 11 ай бұрын

Love your short to the point videos.

@SwimUniversity 11 ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

@user-tc1lw4mw8j 6 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@blackhorse2947 2 ай бұрын

What great information and a money saver……… Thank you very much …

@SwimUniversity Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@tkkeating Жыл бұрын

I knew about all these except the Phosphate and it never crossed my mind. Thanks for pointing that out.

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Yup! Dead algae can't eat anything!

@donvoigt5020 Жыл бұрын

You are awesome and so helpful thank you kindly from Don Martin Voigt with starlight painting inc in montpellier Virginia

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@bradsnapp8437 10 ай бұрын

During the pool season I use Chlorine, Sodium Bicarbonate and Soda Ash. Normally don't have to use the Soda Ash much. I use Algicide once when I open the pool but it is probably not necessary. I use both Trichloro tablets and liquid chlorine(Sodium Hypochlorite) during the season. If you rely solely on Trichloro tables then by the latter part of the pool season your stabilizer levels will be extremely high. They do make non stabilized tablets but I don't see much info on those. I think they would be a better option to use once your stabilizer levels are where they should be.

@ilenehernandez5504 11 ай бұрын

What about for smaller above ground pools? How much should I use for a 2,217 gallon?

@cwilks5592 10 ай бұрын

Do we need muriatic acid labeled for pools or does standard construction grade work? Thanks

@scottiencali Жыл бұрын

Great tips to save money especially with tablets being the price of gold. Thanks!! Are the alternatives on the cheat sheet too?

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

The cheat sheet focuses on routine pool maintenance 👍

@PS0722 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the heads up, just started with the process you recommended to get rid of algae. Just waiting for tomorrow to see if it helped. Once I get the water clean, then I will try this. Anyway...thanks again!!! / Update 06/30/23: This morning the water was cloudy blue!!! Now the 2nd application of chlorine. Hopefully it will be sparkling blue before the 4th! No more embarrassment!!! Thanks!!!

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Great to hear! Glad the process worked!

@drdrew3 11 ай бұрын

When it gets cloudy blue it’s time to add clarifier and run the pump for 24 hours. Will be clear the next day

@Sihkster Жыл бұрын

I dunno man.. pool professional here.. and about the phosphate removers. I do believe that it does help a lot especially in Florida. Because even with chlorine,ph, alk, etc at the correct levels algae will still form.. been using natural chemistry phos free and there perfect pool line of products and haven't had an algae outbreak since... Love your content

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

That's fair. I think not enough people do all the things you're talking about first (balance chlorine, pH, alkalinity, etc.) and wait to see if they need an additional product.

@drdrew3 11 ай бұрын

Agreed. Summer in Florida is brutal. Right now dealing with 92F pool water and UV index of 10. I keep my phosphates at 0 ppb and still had add 1 oz algacide weekly to keep away the green spots.

@goat1941 11 ай бұрын

Agreed hot water and high UV index requires phosphate remover. PR1000 is the best for this in my experience.

@ianstover5474 10 ай бұрын

Yaa and the well water or city water ppl add to their pool when they have a leak and won't fix it. I've been doing bi or tri weekly treatments with phosphate remover with almost all of my pools

@kevingray8616 9 ай бұрын

@@goat1941PR-10,000 is expensive, but worth it. I no longer have green algae problems. I’m in the Houston, TX area.

@user-jr6kn3zv2y 5 ай бұрын

Muriatic acid also lowers alkalinity along with the pH no?

@Robert-bg4bg 9 ай бұрын

I’m curious about the different types of dechlorinators. I’ve only dealt with sodium thiosulfate. Recently at my new pool job, chlorine levels spiked up to 15ppm in the spa. Someone added a whole bunch of what I thought was thio. I thought for sure the chlorine was gonna zero out, it didn’t. In fact it seems like it actually didn’t have any effect. The chlorine kept increasing up to nearly 20ppm within 30 mins of the chemical being added (note that noone turned off the chlorinator). When I looked at the bin the chemical was in, all it had written in sharpie was “dechlor”. I looked into other dechlorinizers trying to figure out what it is (no one actually knows at this moment what chemical was put into the pool; they just know its supposed to lower chlorine). I’m wondering if it is sodium bisulfite. I read that it isn’t as stable as thio and can degrade over time. Maybe that’s why it didn’t lower the chlorine. But what about the sudden spike up to 20ppm? Is it possible that when the chemical was put in the water, it zeroed out the chlorine levels where the chlorine sensor for the cat controller is, and as a result it started speed feeding more chlorine? The cat controller was reading like negative 400ppm in chlorine. Calibrating it to the right level wasn’t working. Just trying to figure out what happened that caused levels to spike. And why didn’t tbe dechlorinstor they use work.

@user-ql6ut2hf3v 11 ай бұрын

My above ground pool installer used round up landscape and weed granules under my liner. After a big rain fall my entire liner bottom has yellow stains in the pattern of how he distributed the granules. I can smell the chemical. After researching the ingredient Pendimethalin, Ive learned it contains a yellow die which stains and it is oil based and toxic! Does anyone know if this could be eating through my liner into my swimming water? I am concerned more about safety than aesthetics. He said he will replace my liner but it will take him a while to get to it. I don't know if it is safe to swim in?

5 ай бұрын

Do you recommend to use hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine tabs in hot tub?

@strongisland7015 Жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff, keep in mind though..chlorine levels are based on what your stabilizer levels are. The higher cynuric acid is, the higher your chlorine level will have to be. 3ppm may not sanitize correctly if stabilizer is too high.

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Yup, your free chlorine should be about 7.5% of your cyanuric acid (so 3 PPM of chlorine would be 40 PPM of CYA)

@papabeartx Жыл бұрын

Great video but I think you might need to clarify about the c y a in indoor pools. While you don't need to worry about it. You also don't want it in your pool if it's an indoor pool. I've seen in many cases where people say. They don't use c y a in their pool so they don't check for it. CYA ended up at 80 because the pool guy wanted to cheap out on the chlorine. smh.😶

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Yikes! Did they add chlorine pucks to an indoor pool?

@papabeartx Жыл бұрын

@SwimUniversity sure did and they lied about it too. The numbers don't lie. But eventually they were caught red headed.

@JT-jg8le Жыл бұрын

If they use tabs and/or dichlor, then that's where the cya came from. If you don't want cya in your pool, then you should only use liquid chlorine and/or calhypo. The tech that serviced your pool may not have been aware you did now want cya to end up in your pool, or he did not have liquid or calhypo on his truck. 80 ppm for cya is a good range and relatively low for a tablet pool. Liquid chlorine is typically the most expensive chlorine option. You likely would've spent more money on chemicals had the tech only used liquid. My guess is the tech saved you money by using tabs and provided a more consistent chlorine level in comparison to the up and down of adding liquid once a week or every other week.

@tylerrodriguez9233 Жыл бұрын

Do you happen to have any statistics on how many pool owners pay service companies compared to maintaining the pool themselves?

@Wooooosaaaaaa Жыл бұрын

Dependent on neighborhood income. In Bel-Air it’s 100% that pay, in random suburb X, it’s probably 25% that pay to have it cleaned.

@mikemarijuana3030 Жыл бұрын

I have a very small pool, 600 gal. 8ft round with no pump. Do I need to buy anything to keep it clean for the next few months? And, if so, what?

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

We recommend every pool has a pump/filter. Intex carries smaller ones.

@NonfictionFilmmaker Жыл бұрын

Hey @swimUniversity I just moved into a home I am renting, because of my job I move around alot. and the pool maintenance is the home owners responsibility. so when Informed him that the pool has backswimmers. He just laugh it off. but I am not cool with swimming with back swimmer. how can I take care of this problem myself. what item would I need to get rid of the algae that is bring these backswimmers?

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Ew we wouldn't swim in that either! Check out our algae videos: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m71pmtOXu9qomKc.html

@robertbutler8574 Жыл бұрын

I have a fiberglass pool and was told never to use Muriatic acid as it can break down the gel coat, only dry acid. But I can’t find anything definitive to back that up. Is that true?

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

The acid can etch away at the fiberglass. And most manufacturers will say not to use it as a precaution. But you SHOULD be find if you dilute it with pool water and add it very very slowly and keep it circulating.

@dougmilano4256 3 ай бұрын

Can Muriatic acid be used to bring PH down in a salt water pool? Or should a dry acid be used?

@SwimUniversity 2 ай бұрын

They do the same thing. Dry acid is milder and safer to handle. Muriatic acid requires more safety precautions but is more powerful.

@brandonj.9638 2 ай бұрын

Is a mineral system like "PoolRX" safe? As in, are the minerals dangerous for you to be exposed to in the water long term? I see PoolRx is made primarily of copper, but also articles that say you should avoid copper in your water for safety. What are your thoughts? Thanks

@cducote2068 2 ай бұрын

I've been wondering the same thing. I know many people in my area who swear by PoolRX, but I've been hesitant because of the whole copper deal. Was reading today on PoolRX's website that the minerals are chelated and because of this, they supposedly can't fall out of solution which is what causes issues with copper due to overoxidation. I'm tempted to try it though this summer.

@brandonj.9638 2 ай бұрын

@@cducote2068 Yeaaa it's one of those things that makes me question if the pros outweigh the cons. I think until there's more concrete research on it I'm going to pass. I spend a LOT of time in my pool and I'd hate for something like that cause me health issues later down the line be something that I caused. 😅

@SwimUniversity 2 ай бұрын

A mineral system like PoolRx can be a great way to reduce chlorine. But exposing yourself to anything (including chlorine) at the wrong dosages can be harmful.

@trevorgwelch7412 11 ай бұрын

We do some swimming pools turn green ? I'm not referring to algae . Clean fresh water , indoor pool , turns foggy and green .

@SwimUniversity 10 ай бұрын

You might have metals in your water and need a metal sequestrant (do you have well water?)

@ilenehernandez5504 11 ай бұрын

How much baking soda do I add to my small above ground pool of 2,217 gallons? How much and how do I add borax to my 2,217 gallon pool? Wouldn’t like to add to much. Norax isn’t a product I would like to miss calculate.😮😊

@boogie7119 11 ай бұрын

Borax is natural and will not harm you if over used

@SwimUniversity 11 ай бұрын

That's a small pool, so start really slowly. It's 1.5 lbs of baking soda per 10,000 gallons (to raise it up by 10 ppm). So like 4 ounces.

@TheDeborachie Жыл бұрын

why does my chlorine always seem high ... we add 1 puck a day in the skimmer basket and chlorinate (non salt pool) once a week. Our pool is 18X36

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

You add a puck a day AND chlorinate?

@TheDeborachie Жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity yes we add 1 puck a day and super chlorinate 1 X a week.

@engage2895 10 ай бұрын

@@TheDeborachie you do not need to add one puck per day. I only use liquid chlorine now. But used to use pucks on my 16x28 pool. I used maybe 2 pucks a week. I only shocked it when levels were getting low and no pucks left in the skimmer. Maybe every ten days or so.

@TheDeborachie 10 ай бұрын

what type of 'test' kit do you use to measure chlorine levels? We use the 'drop' test and don't find it accurate at all. We have started taking water samples to the pool store to determine our chlorine levels. It's time consuming but at least we get a 'proper' read on the chemical levels.@@engage2895

@GaryGrube1 Жыл бұрын

How much Soda Ash or Borax per 10,000 gal.?

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Here's our video covering how to calculate that: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mremp8p8ztPQn58.html

@GaryGrube1 Жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity Thanks!

@jaccho Жыл бұрын

If you don’t use a water feature will it lower your pH?

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

No water feature means it won't raise your pH

@Wizard-xt5ld Жыл бұрын

Ez pool all the way

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

🙌🏼

@drdrew3 11 ай бұрын

I don’t agree with never adding calcium hardness. If you change water every year the calcium level will ALWAYS be too low. Years of low calcium will erode the surface of a plaster pool leading to a huge expense. Better to spend $30 a year on calcium than $7,000 to resurface your pool!

@SwimUniversity 11 ай бұрын

We were saying that you don't need it for pools that you take down every year.

@drdrew3 6 ай бұрын

@@SwimUniversityI understood that and I still disagree. If you change water every year and the source is soft (low calcium) then you will have a chronically low calcium. This leads to premature breakdown of plaster pools and leads to expensive resurfacing. Calcium hardness is cheap compared to surface renovation. I also find the some pools are prone to algae bloom and need phosphate remover desperately. Phosphate isn’t just algae food - it’s algae FERTILIZER. Keeping phosphates low in these pools is another layer of protection. Adding just 1 ounces of phosphate remover every few weeks during swim season is super cheap compared to treating a single algae bloom. Not every pool needs phosphate removal but a blanket statement disregarding it is irresponsible

@patb5923 Жыл бұрын

Baquacil

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

That's definitely an alternative option!

@patb5923 Жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity but would you just recommend sticking with chlorine. I use chlorine liquid every night and some baking soda here and there and pool stays crystal clear. My grandma back in the day used Baquacil and said it was very expensive

@drdrew3 11 ай бұрын

Too expensive