Chemicals to have on hand?

[kkapolas]

Hello. I am new to the group and have been reading up over the winter. This will be the 3rd summer with the pool. Pool school from the PB was not good. I didn't know what I didn't know so I had no idea what questions to ask. For openings and closings we have been using a local pool builder/store, who I like very much. I keep reading over and over again that pool stores are just trying to sell pool chemicals (expected). I always leave with a laundry list and at least a hundred dollars in chemicals and then I go back for more water testing frequently because I am afraid I'm going to damage my equipment or make the water un-swimmable. I have a Taylor test kit and have attempted to use it several times but (for example the chlorine) when I am trying to figure out what it is, the yellows literally all look the same to me, so I don't know if or what I need to add. I am going to try again to do this myself this summer (and stay away from buying all the chemicals that are suggested from the pool store) and am wondering what are the essentials for chemicals to have on hand to start the season? Thank you.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Liquid Chlorine
Muriatic Acid
Stabilizer (CYA)

Nothing elses unless a problem develop or you want to alter some parameter.

ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
FC/CYA Levels
PoolMath
Recommended Levels

Welcome to TFP.... we'll help ya out!

Maddie

 

[AK-]

Taylor test kit and have attempted to use it several times but (for example the chlorine) when I am trying to figure out what it is, the yellows literally all look the same to me

Looks like you have only the OTO test. You are going to need a FAS/DPD to properly measure your chlorine. If you don't have one yet get a TF-100 or a K-2600C (since you have a SWG better to get the Salt option). You can check the differences on Test Kits Compared

Maddie listed all the required chemicals.... The extras that you could have handy are:
- Baking Soda (you only going to need it if you overshoot the acid and if you overshoot for a lot)
- Calcium Hardness Increaser (ONLY if your water is extremely soft)

As for the Stabilizer I'd get the Dry Stabilizer and keep an old socks handy. The Liquid Stabilizer can be a bit more difficult to work with.
Never ever add Dry Acid in place of Muriatic Acid as it will add sulfates to your water.

 

[Homebrewale]

I don't keep chlorine on hand. It gets weaker over time. I don't have any problem finding it locally if I have an emergency need for it. Other than spring startup, I have not needed it over the years because the SWG keeps the pool at proper FC levels.

 

[Orion7319]

You have a fiberglass pool and a salt water generator, should be very easy and you won’t need much in chemicals for a season. I go though less then a gallon of muriatic acid and a couple of bags of salt and a maybe 30 oz of dry stabilizer a year. I use 15 pounds of baking soda at closing (vinyl pool don’t want pH to crash when not running salt cell) and I might use up to 4 gallons of 10% liquid chlorine on opening. That’s about it. I only keep on hand at any given time, a bag of dry stabilizer, 2 gallons of muriatic acid (because that’s how Home Depot sells it ) and possibly two 40 pound bags of salt. That’s it! Once you get things going, the only thing you will probably be adding to the pool on a regular basis is a cup of acid once a week or so. It’s not at all hard, you won’t need to spend tons of money on chemicals. It’s better to buy an expensive robot from the pool store then a $100.00 worth of chemicals at a go.