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Pool FAQ

1. I vacuum up the algae in my pool water, but it still comes back. What am I doing wrong?
2. Why am I loosing chlorine so quickly?
3. Do I add stabilizer at the beginning of each season?
4. What does the liquid solar blanket fish do?
5. Is Chlorine the same as Shock?
6. How often should I be shocking the pool?
7. When can I use algaecide?
8. Why is important to maintain my pH and alkalinity?
9. What does Clear Blue do and how does it work?
10. What is the difference between bromine and chlorine?

1. I vacuum up the algae in my pool water, but it still comes back. What am I doing wrong?

   Algae is a very fine particle and if it's vacuumed up on the filter setting, the sand will not pick it up. Algae needs to be vacuumed on waste, that way it's not running through the filter and will not re-enter the pool.


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2. Why am I losing chlorine so quickly?

   Your pool might not have any stabilizer in it. Stabilizer is a granular chemical that protects the chlorine from the sun. Without any stabilizer, your chlorine will evaporate quickly. It is very important that you have a water test done before you add any stabilizer.


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3. Do I add stabilizer at the beginning of each season?

   We recommend that you have your water tested at the beginning of each season and we will test for stabilizrer. It is possible that stabilizer will remain in the pool water over the winter, so it is crucial that the water is tested before adding any. Also, the pool water must be crystal clear in order to add stabilizer or the water will remain in its cloudy state.


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4. What does the liquid solar blanket fish do?

   It makes an invisible layer over the surface of the pool water that inhibits heat evaporation. It is an alcoholic based solution that helps to retain the heat in the pool.


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5. Is Chlorine the same as Shock?

   Yes, both are chlorine based products that help to kill any bacteria that is in the pool and will provide the water with a chlorine reading.


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6. How often should I be shocking the pool?

   You should be shocking the pool with chlorine once a week. There are different types of shock that can be used to shock the pool. Liquid chlorine, granular chlorine, vinyl-shock or oxy-out can be used. Oxy-out is a non-chlorinated oxidizer, therefore there must a chlorine reading of at least 1ppm in order for it to work.


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7. When can I use algaecide?

   Algaecide can be used as a weekly preventative the day after you shock. Algaecide is more of a preventative rather than a solution for algae growth. By using it on a weekly basis, it can prevent further growth in the pool water.


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8. Why is important to maintain my pH and alkalinity?

   Your pH and your alkalinity determine how basic or how acidic your water is. You want your pH to be in between 7.2-7.6ppm and you want the alkalinity to be between 90-130ppm. If the water is too acidic it may cause irritation to the skin or eyes. Swimmers may also find that their skin can become dry as well. If the water is too basic the water may tend to go cloudy and it may irritate the swimmers eyes. If you have a heater it is extremely important that your pH and alkalinity are in balance or you may corrode the heater element, which can lead to staining of the liner.


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9. What does Clear Blue do and how does it work?

   Clear Blue is a clarifying agent that helps to prevent and clear up cloudy water. Clear Blue is a blue gel that should be put dierectly down the skimmer without diluting it. It forms a layer over the sand in the filter and stops any tiny particles from getting into the sand that may turn it cloudy. Clear Blue can be used on a weekly basis or it can be used when the water is cloudy. This product may only be used along with sand filters and not cartridge ones, otherwise if used with a cartridge filter it can be clogged.


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10. What is the difference between bromine and chlorine?

    Bromine and Chlorine are both products used to sanitize swimming pools and hot tubs. Bromine tends to be more expensive than chlorine and due to its acidic nature, you often have to make more ajdustment to the chemistry. Also, bromine is a more stable chemical, therefore stabilizer is not necessary. Chlorine is the most commonly used sanitizer in pools.


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Still have questions?

Please contact us at The Pool Shoppe and a customer service representative will be happy to assist you.

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