Determining what pool chemicals you need is important for every pool owner. Keeping your pool clean and clear is about more than just aesthetics; it also affects safety, health, and enjoyment. Pool chemistry plays a critical role in ensuring your water stays sanitized, balanced, and swimmer-friendly throughout the season. Without the right chemicals, pools can quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria, algae, and harmful contaminants.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential pool chemicals you need, explains how they work, and provides guidance on when to use them so that you can enjoy crystal-clear water all summer long.
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Sanitizers: Kill Germs First
Sanitizers are the foundation of any healthy pool. Their primary job is to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms that thrive in warm, untreated water. Without a proper sanitizer, your pool can quickly turn unsafe and unusable.
There are several options available, but they all serve the same purpose: disinfection. Let’s look at the most common sanitizers used by pool owners.
Chlorine
Chlorine is the most widely used pool sanitizer, and for good reason. It’s effective, affordable, and available in multiple forms, including:
- Tablets (slow-release, ideal for floaters or feeders)
- Liquid chlorine (great for quick adjustments)
- Granular chlorine (easy to apply and fast-dissolving)
The ideal chlorine level for your pool is 1–4 parts per million (ppm). Maintaining this range ensures water stays clean while minimizing eye and skin irritation.
Make sure to test your pool water and chlorine levels frequently, especially after heavy use or rainfall, which can dilute the effectiveness of the sanitizer. Chlorine is most effective when your pool pH levels are properly balanced.
Salt Alternatives
For pool owners seeking a gentler option, saltwater systems provide an alternative to traditional chlorine. Saltwater pools use a salt chlorine generator to convert salt into chlorine, which then sanitizes the water.
Benefits of salt systems include:
- A softer water feel on the skin and eyes
- Lower chlorine odor
- Less frequent chemical adjustments
Salt levels should typically stay around 2,500–3,500 ppm, depending on your system. While saltwater pools still use chlorine, the process is more automated and easier to maintain for many homeowners.
Shock Treatments
Even with regular sanitizer use, pools occasionally need a boost, especially after heavy usage, storms, or algae blooms. That’s where shock treatments come in.
Pool shock is a high dose of oxidizer (chlorine or non-chlorine) used to:
- Eliminate chloramines (combined chlorine that causes odor/irritation)
- Destroy algae and bacteria
- Restore water clarity
There are two types:
- Chlorine-based shock: Powerful, but may require downtime before swimming
- Non-chlorine shock: Great for routine maintenance; you may resume swimming shortly after application
Most pools benefit from weekly shocking during peak season, or after high bather loads and storms.
Water Balancers: Keep Levels in Check
Once your sanitizer is in place, the next step is to balance your water chemistry. Balanced water helps sanitizers work more effectively, prevents equipment damage, and keeps swimmers comfortable. Four key elements need regular monitoring and adjustment: pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid.
pH
The pH level measures how acidic or basic your pool water is, on a scale of 0 to 14. The ideal range for pools is 7.2 to 7.6, with some guides allowing up to 7.8.
Why it matters:
- Low pH can irritate skin and corrode equipment.
- High pH can cause scale buildup and make chlorine less effective.
You’ll need pH increasers (like soda ash) or pH reducers (like muriatic acid) to adjust as needed. Maintaining proper pool pH levels enables chlorine to effectively do its job and protect your investment.
Total Alkalinity
Total alkalinity acts as a buffer for pH, helping it stay stable over time. The ideal range is 80–120 ppm.
Why it matters:
- Low alkalinity = rapid pH swings and corrosive water
- High alkalinity = cloudy water and difficulty adjusting pH
To raise alkalinity, use sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). To lower it, use muriatic acid or a pH reducer. Balanced alkalinity prevents the frustrating “yo-yo” effect when trying to manage your pH levels.
Calcium Hardness
Calcium hardness refers to the amount of dissolved calcium in your water. The right level of pool water calcium hardness prevents both corrosion and scaling. The recommended range is 200–400 ppm, depending on the type of pool.
Why it matters:
- Low calcium = etching and corrosion of pool surfaces and metal fixtures
- High calcium = cloudy water and scale buildup
Testing and adjusting pool calcium hardness is crucial, especially in areas with hard tap water or high pool evaporation rates, such as Arizona.
Cyanuric Acid
Also known as a chlorine stabilizer, cyanuric acid (CYA) is a swimming pool chemical that protects chlorine from being destroyed by UV rays. It’s essential for outdoor pools and should be maintained at a level of 30–50 ppm.
Without enough CYA, your chlorine burns off quickly. Too much, and it makes chlorine less effective. Some chlorine products already include CYA, so check your labels to avoid overuse.
Specialty Chemicals: Solve Problems
Even with proper sanitation and balanced water, pools can develop specific issues over time, such as algae blooms, cloudy water, or unsightly stains. Thoroughly understanding “What chemicals do I need for a pool?” also entails incorporating specialty products. Specialty pool chemicals are used to treat and prevent common pool problems, as well as fine-tune your water’s appearance and quality.
Algaecides
Algae can grow quickly in warm, untreated water and can be difficult to get rid of once it takes hold. Algaecides help prevent and treat algae outbreaks when used alongside chlorine or saltwater systems.
There are different types:
- Copper-based algaecides: Effective, but may stain surfaces if overused
- Polyquat algaecides: Non-staining and great for regular prevention
Regular algaecide use, especially in warmer climates like Arizona, helps protect water quality and reduce chlorine demand.
Clarifiers & Flocculants
If your water looks cloudy even after balancing and shocking, it’s likely due to microscopic particles that your filter can’t catch. That’s where clarifiers and flocculants come in.
- Clarifiers bind tiny particles into larger clumps that your filter can trap
- Flocculants sink debris to the bottom so you can vacuum them out
Use clarifiers for mild cloudiness and flocculants when clarity problems persist or after an algae treatment has been applied.
Stain & Scale Inhibitors
Mineral stains and scale buildup can ruin the look of your pool and damage surfaces over time. Stain and scale inhibitors, also called sequestering agents, help prevent:
- Rust-colored stains from iron or copper
- White, crusty scale from high calcium or high pH
These pool chemicals bind with metals and minerals in the water, keeping them in suspension so they can be filtered out rather than deposited on your pool walls or equipment.
Enzymes & Phosphate Removers
Organic debris like sunscreen, body oils, and plant matter can build up in the water and overwhelm your filter. Enzymes break down these contaminants naturally, helping to reduce cloudy water and scum lines.
Phosphates act as a food source for algae. If phosphate levels rise, it creates a perfect environment for algae blooms. Phosphate removers eliminate this food source and boost your sanitizer’s effectiveness.
Together, enzymes and phosphate removers can extend filter life, reduce maintenance, and keep water cleaner with fewer swimming pool chemicals.
Pool Chemical Order
Knowing which chemicals to use is important, but so is the order in which you add them. Adding pool chemicals incorrectly can lead to dangerous reactions, ineffective treatment, or damage.
Here’s a safe and effective order for adding pool chemicals.
Step-by-Step: How to Add Pool Chemicals
- Test your water. Always start with pool water testing to identify necessary adjustments.
- Adjust total alkalinity. This stabilizes pH and should be corrected first.
- Balance pH. Aim for 7.2–7.6 to help chlorine work effectively.
- Set calcium hardness. Prevents corrosion and scale.
- Add stabilizer (cyanuric acid). Only if needed for chlorine protection.
- Add sanitizer (chlorine or salt). Maintain levels of 1–4 ppm.
- Shock the pool. Especially after heavy use, rain, or cloudy water.
- Use specialty chemicals if needed. Algaecides, clarifiers, etc., come last.
Let each chemical circulate for at least 4–6 hours, or overnight, before testing and adjusting again.
Chemical Safety Tips
When handling pool chemicals, keep these safety best practices in mind:
- Always read labels and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Pre-dilute powders in a bucket of water when recommended
- Never mix chemicals (especially chlorine and acid)
- Store chemicals separately in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space
- Add chemicals to water—never water to chemicals
For specific safety guidelines, consult the CDC’s Pool Chemical Safety Toolkit.
Maintaining a clean, balanced pool doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require the right chemical routine. By understanding which pool chemicals you need, the role of each product, and the correct order to add pool chemicals, you’ll enjoy safer, more comfortable water during swimming season.
Need help choosing the best pool chemicals? Our team at ePoolSupply is here to help with everything you need, from pool water testing to essential pool maintenance tips for Arizona’s climate.
FAQ
What chemicals are essential for my pool?
At a minimum, you’ll need:
- A sanitizer (chlorine or salt)
- Water balancers (pH adjusters, alkalinity, calcium)
- A stabilizer (cyanuric acid for outdoor pools)
Specialty swimming pool chemicals, such as algaecides or clarifiers, may be necessary depending on the water conditions.
How often should I shock the pool?
Shock your pool once a week during the swimming season or after heavy usage, recent rainstorms, algae outbreaks, cloudy water, or when you notice a strong chlorine smell.
What’s the right pH and alkalinity level for pool water?
The ideal pH range is between 7.2 and 7.6, and the optimal alkalinity range falls between 80 and 120 ppm. As part of your pool water testing routine, check these levels weekly and adjust them using the appropriate chemicals.
What order should I add pool chemicals?
Follow this basic order for safe, effective treatment:
- Alkalinity
- pH
- Calcium
- CYA
- Sanitizer
- Shock
- Specialty Chemicals
Refer to your test results and adjust accordingly. For more local tips and access to the best pool chemicals, visit our Phoenix pool store.