Buy a good chemical test kit

1. Calculate the volume of water in your pool using the formulae 
2. For rectangular pools – Length x Width x Ave depth (in feet) x 6.25 = volume in gallons
3. For round or oval pools – Length x Width x Ave depth (in feet) x 4.9 = volume in gallons
   

   BASIC GUIDELINES

4. MAINTAIN FREE CHLORINE LEVELS Make sure free chlorine never falls below 1.0ppm. This is to kill harmful germs and algae. 

    5.     CHECK THE pH  Correct the pH if it falls below 7.2 or rises above 7.6. Correct pH will ensure the chlorine is working effectively.                                        

   6.     Total Alkalinity

Test once a month. The alkalinity reading using the Alkalinity M tablet count test should be between 100-200ppm for pools using stabilised chlorines; 80-120ppm for calcium hypochlorite or 120-150ppm for sodium hypochlorite

Calcium Hardness

Test two or three times a season. The calcium hardness reading using the tablet count test should be above 350ppm – the top limit is not too important.

The amount of DE you actually need is an arguable point amongst pool guys.  Some say add more and backwash less, others say add less and backwash more frequently.  We like to side with the “add less and backwash more” group.  One thing almost all agree on, is that the manufacturer’s instructions that come with most DE filters always recommend putting in WAY TOO MUCH DE.  If you put too much in, you risk clogging the filter, straining your pump and significantly reducing your circulatory pressure in the pool.

Because they are thin, lightweight, and flexible, bubble covers can be cut to any size and are sold in large sheets from 5 feet by 5 feet for spas up to 30 feet by 50 feet for pools, with many intermediate sizes. They are easily cut with scissors or a razor knife. Bubble covers are cheap. They last two to four years depending on water chemistry, weather conditions, and user wear and tear.

The disadvantage of a bubble cover is that they can blow off or away in heavy winds. Also, as you remove the cover the dirt either falls into the pool or stay on the cover, meaning you have to spread the cover out and clean the cover as well as the pool. Taking the cover off and putting it back on can be a real chore. Sunlight and chemicals make the plastic brittle, causing the bubbles to collapse and sending little bits of blue plastic into the pool and circulation system. Bubble covers are only good for their thermal properties.

TDS levels can build up in the water from many things. When you get in a hot tub, a lot of unpleasant stuff comes off of you. Perspiration, dead skin cells, underarm deodorant, soap residue and dirt from bathing suits, skin lotions and creams, hair spray, etc. Some of this microscopic stuff is caught by your filter, but a lot of it simply dissolves in the water. Also, every time you add any type of chemical to the water, you are introducing additional solids into the same body of water.

Depending on how much of these items are put into the water, and how fast (days, weeks, or months), this will determine the point at which your water becomes saturated. Once that starts to happen, the first thing you will see is the foam. Soon thereafter, the water will permanently cloud – as it reaches its true saturation point of TDS’s.

Once that happens, no amount of filtering or additional chemicals will clear the water and you will have to change it. Water Defoamer will help combat foam for a while, but your best bet is to be as clean as possible before going into the tub. That way you should be able to get about 8 weeks between water changes.

Rectangular, Square or Free Form Pools:

Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5 = Total gallons

(IE: 16′ x 32′ x 4.5′ x 7.5 = 18,201 Gallons)

Circular Pools:

Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9 = Total gallons

(IE: 18′ x 18′ x 4′ x 5.9 = 7,646 Gallons)

Oval Pools:

Long Diameter x Short Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9 = Total gallons

(IE: 15′ x 30′ x 4′ x 5.9 = 9,293 Gallons)

To determine average depth in a pool where the bottom slopes: Measure the shallow end and measure the deep end. Add them together and divide by 2. This is the average depth of your pool.

• Best method is to use a Chlorine Floater with Slow Dissolving Chlorine Tabs inside it. Keep Floater in pool at all times and refill it weekly or as needed.
• Next best method is to use an Automatic Chlorinator. Make sure the unit is full and that the dial is set to a level that gives you a good daily chlorine reading depending on how long you run your system.
• Next best method is to place 3 Inch Slow Dissolving Stabilized Chlorine Tablets in the skimmers once per week (3-4 tablets are normal for 16×32 pool). 
• All methods of adding chlorine to the pool have their positive and negative aspects.  All in all, the simply floating chlorine floater is a time tested method and ensures that you ALWAYS have a good chlorine level.  Sometimes simplest is the best.