You should select pool chemicals carefully. Chemicals that are not compatible with the water may damage the pool, and swimming in chemical-laden water may irritate your skin or lungs. Do not use any chemicals except those specifically intended for pools. Store all chemicals out of reach of children and pets. Read labels carefully before applying to ensure that you do not put incompatible chemicals into your pool; these combinations will produce toxic fumes, vapors, or mists. Follow all label directions precisely. See Table 1 at the end of this document for more information on selecting pool cleaning chemicals (see “Related Links” below).

If you need help selecting pool cleaning chemicals (also called sanitizers), visit a local athletic supply store; some hardware stores also carry pool chemicals. If possible, purchase your chemicals at the same time you buy your testing kit. The following are types of sanitizer that can be used in most swimming pools:

Chlorine is by far the best all-around chemical for maintaining a pool’s cleanliness. Chlorine kills algae, bacteria, germs, and other organisms in the water. It is available as gas (sodium hypochlorite), granules (calcium hypochlorite), tablets (trichloro-s-triazinetrione) or sticks (dichloro-s-triazinetrione). Liquid chlorine is usually added with feeder pumps to a chlorinator cell, a compartment containing chlorine. Chlorine may irritate the skin and eyes; it should be handled carefully.

Pools in poor condition or overfilled, allowing water to splash onto the ground, will need higher dosages of chlorine. Pools with large numbers of people or pets may require higher chlorine levels because more contaminants are introduced into the pool daily; you should monitor your chlorination levels closely during periods of heavy use. If you have algae in your pool, shock treatment is recommended, adding ten times as much chlorine as usual for a few hours to kill the excess algae cells – do not swim until you check chlorine residuals again after treatment.

Chlorine may also damage some pool surfaces unless monitored carefully. Add granular chlorine before acid because these chemicals react together to produce poisonous chlorine gas. Do not add chlorine tablets or sticks directly to the pool; dissolve them first in the water. Instead, use 1 pound of granular calcium hypochlorite per 10,000 gallons of pool water or 2/3 ounces of trichloro-s-triazinetrione (trichlor) tablets per 10,000 gallons of pool water.

Your local athletic store should carry neutralizing agents for use after shocking the pool. Follow directions carefully and do not over-add any chemicals; if you are unsure about your chemical levels, ask the store manager for assistance before adding any more chemicals to your pool. You should test your chlorination levels daily by using a pool test kit.

Bromine is a relatively new alternative to chlorine, and it has some advantages over chlorine. Bromine does not evaporate as readily as chlorine, so you do not have to use as much bromine with the same pool volume; bromides are more compatible with saltwater than chlorine or chloramines. Chlorinating your pool weekly will help prevent algae growth in the absence of ultraviolet light (sunlight). Many people prefer bromine because it plays less havoc with their hair and clothing than chlorine does.

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