Results for "salt water pool health"

Filters Medium 2-3 hours for treatment process 186 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Sand Be Used in Garden? Complete Guide

I got stuck with 200 pounds of nasty used pool filter sand that the previous owner left behind when I moved in. Been in my filter for 3 years. Wondering if I can dump this in my vegetable garden or if the chlorine and other pool chemicals make it unsafe for plants. Anyone know if there's a way to clean it first or should I just toss it?…more

Read answer

Salt Water Medium 45 minutes 181 👍 0

How to Know If Your Pool Salt Cell Is Bad - 7 Warning Signs

Opened up my new place's pool equipment for the first time and this salt cell has crusty white buildup everywhere while chlorine levels keep tanking.

What are the telltale signs that a salt cell is actually failing? I don't want to replace it unnecessarily, but I also don't want to keep throwing money at chemicals if the real problem is a dead cell. Are there specific things I should check or test to know for sure?…more

Read answer

Water Chemistry Medium 2-3 hours for water correction 158 👍 0

Can Pool Chemicals Cause a Rash? Complete Guide & Solutions

Last week my kids broke out in red, itchy rashes after swimming, and I'm worried the pool chemicals might be dangerous - should I keep them out? Red, itchy patches on my arms and chest after getting out. Is this from the chlorine or other chemicals? Water looks clear but maybe something's off with the balance. What should I test for and how do I fix this?…more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Variable Speed Pool Pumps

4.5 (12,400 reviews)

Algae Green Pool Medium 3-7 days for full treatment 155 👍 0

Can Pool Algae Cause a Rash? Health Risks & Prevention

Around noon yesterday I finished scrubbing down my pool walls but this morning there's green stuff growing back — could this algae be what's causing the rash on my arms? I've been swimming in it a few times and now I'm wondering if that could be causing the skin irritation I've been experiencing. The pool store told me it's algae and that I need to treat it, but I'm curious about the health risks.

Can pool algae actually cause rashes or other skin problems? I'm worried about my family swimming in it, and I want to understand what I'm dealing with before I start dumping chemicals in. Any guidance on how serious this is and what I should do to fix it would be really appreciated!…more

Read answer

Salt Water Medium 30 minutes 146 👍 0

Do Salt Water Pools Need Chemicals? Complete Guide

Our saltwater pool area reeks of that sharp chlorine smell every morning, which seems impossible since we were told these systems are basically chemical-free.

But now I'm reading conflicting information online. The pool store told me I'd still need to buy some chemicals, but I'm confused about what exactly. I thought the salt system was supposed to handle everything? What chemicals do salt water pools actually need, and why? I want to make sure I'm taking proper care of the pool and keeping the water safe for my family.…more

Read answer

Maintenance Medium 2-3 days for dechlorination 145 👍 0

Can You Use Pool Water for Garden? Safe Irrigation Guide

Last fall when I drained my pool for winter, I couldn't shake the feeling that thousands of gallons going down the drain could've watered my entire garden instead. We grow tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs that my kids love to help harvest and eat.

I know pool water has chlorine and other chemicals, but I'm not sure what levels are safe for plants or if there's a way to make it garden-safe. Are there specific chemical levels I should test for before using it? I want to make sure we're not contaminating the soil or creating any health risks for my family when we eat the vegetables.…more

Read answer

Cloudy Water Easy 24-48 hours 143 👍 0

Can I Swim in a Cloudy Pool? Safety Risks & Quick Fixes

Every time I walk down the pool supply store aisle staring at clarifiers and shock treatments, I have no clue which one I actually need for my cloudy 20,000 gallon inground pool that's been murky for days. The water isn't crystal clear like it usually is - you can't see the bottom clearly and visibility is definitely reduced. I've been maintaining what I thought were proper chemical levels, but I'm starting to wonder if there's an imbalance or contamination issue.

I'm particularly concerned about safety risks since we have young kids who love to swim. Could the cloudiness indicate bacteria or other contaminants that might make us sick? What specific dangers should I be worried about with reduced visibility in the water? Should we stay out of the pool until I can get this cleared up, or is it generally okay to swim as long as the chlorine levels seem normal?…more

Read answer

Maintenance Easy 5 minutes 142 👍 0

Can You Swim During Your Period? Pool Safety & Hygiene Guide

Replaced my carefree summer pool days with period anxiety that's eating through my swim time way faster than it should. I have a pool in my backyard and don't want to gross anyone out or cause any health issues, but also don't want to avoid swimming for a whole week every month.

What kind of protection works best for swimming, and do I need to worry about messing up my pool chemistry or anything like that? Just want to make sure I'm being considerate of other swimmers while still being able to enjoy my own pool!…more

Read answer

Water Chemistry Easy 2-4 hours 136 👍 0

How Long After Adding Calcium Hardness Can You Swim?

Wondering why my neighbor was swimming hours after adding calcium hardness yesterday while I'm still waiting after adding mine this morning. How long do I need to wait before it's safe to swim? Pool's been circulating for about an hour now. Do I need to test anything else before getting back in?…more

Read answer

Filters Easy 15 minutes 135 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Filter Balls Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

About the third time this season my pool filter balls have turned into a cloudy water nightmare and I'm done playing the guessing game! I switched to filter balls a few months ago hoping they'd be the magic solution, but now I'm wondering if I'm supposed to replace them regularly or what. My pool gets pretty heavy use during summer with the kids and their friends constantly jumping in.

I've been trying to stay on top of cleaning them, but honestly some weeks I forget and go longer between cleanings. Are these things supposed to last forever or do they wear out? I just want to know how long I can expect them to work effectively before I need to buy new ones.…more

Read answer

Salt Water Easy 30 minutes 134 👍 0

Can Salt Water Pools Cause UTI? Pool Safety & Prevention

During my first summer with a salt water pool, I keep getting UTIs and have absolutely no clue if the pool could be causing them. Family swims daily but I'm paranoid about UTIs. Do salt water pools actually cause urinary tract infections or is that just a myth?

What chlorine levels should I maintain to keep everyone safe? Pool store guy said 2-4 ppm but want to double check before letting the kids swim more.…more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Chemical Starter Kits

4.5 (18,700 reviews)

Algae Green Pool Medium 1-3 days 133 👍 0

Can Pool Algae Kill You? Health Risks & Safety Guide

Turned on my pool lights last night and saw this green stuff floating around - total newbie here and honestly have no idea if this algae thing is dangerous. My pool has been fighting a losing battle against algae for weeks now, and it's gotten to the point where I'm genuinely worried about safety. The water is this nasty green mess, and I keep reading conflicting information online about whether algae can actually make you sick or worse.

I've got kids who are dying to swim, but I'm scared to let them anywhere near this swamp I used to call a pool. Is algae itself actually dangerous, or am I being overly paranoid? I know it makes everything slippery as hell, but are there real health risks I should be worried about? Just need to know if this is a "keep throwing chemicals at it" problem or a "nobody goes near the water" emergency.…more

Read answer

Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 129 👍 0

Can Pool Chlorine Make You Sick? Health Effects Explained

Opened my pool this season after adjusting pH levels, switching chlorine brands, and getting professional water testing — but my family still gets red eyes and skin irritation after swimming. We've been experiencing eye irritation and some skin redness after swimming, but I'm also worried about not having enough chlorine to kill bacteria and other nasties.

My latest test results show chlorine at around 5-6 ppm, and my CYA is sitting at about 50 ppm. I've been using liquid chlorine and shocking weekly with calcium hypochlorite. Sometimes the chlorine drops really low between treatments, maybe down to 0.5-1 ppm, especially after heavy use or rain.

What's the sweet spot for chlorine levels to avoid both chemical irritation and harmful bacteria? I want to keep everyone healthy but not sure if I should be targeting higher or lower numbers based on my current CYA level.…more

Read answer

Heaters Medium 15 minutes reading 127 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Heaters Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Standing next to my ancient pool heater that's been making weird noises, is it dangerous to keep running it another season with kids constantly using our 20,000-gallon inground pool?

From what I've researched, there seem to be pretty significant differences in how long each type lasts, but I'm getting conflicting information. Some sources say gas heaters burn out faster due to the combustion process, while others claim electric units fail sooner because of the heating elements. I'm also curious about heat pumps since they're more energy efficient, but I wonder if that translates to longer equipment life.

What should I realistically expect in terms of lifespan for each heater type? I'm willing to do proper maintenance and won't be running it constantly - probably just weekends and evenings during swimming season. Are there specific factors that significantly impact how long these units last?…more

Read answer

Filters Medium 2-3 hours for proper sand preparation 126 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Sand Be Used in Aquarium? Safety Guide

Three minutes into shopping for aquarium sand at $15 per tiny bag, I remembered the 50-pound bag of pool filter sand sitting in my garage. They want $25 for a tiny bag of "aquarium sand" when I can get a 50-pound bag of pool filter sand at the hardware store for half that price. It looks like the same stuff to me - just sand, right?

Before I make the switch and potentially harm my fish, I want to make sure this is actually safe. Has anyone successfully used pool filter sand in their aquarium, or are there real differences I should be worried about? I'm all for DIY solutions to save money, but not at the expense of my fish's health.…more

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 47 Q&A articles!