Yes, you absolutely need proper alkalinity in your pool water. Alkalinity acts as a pH buffer, preventing rapid pH swings and maintaining water balance for swimmer comfort and equipment protection.
Salt water pools still require chemicals for proper water balance, including pH adjusters, stabilizer, and calcium hardness increasers. The salt chlorine generator only produces chlorine, not other essential chemicals needed for safe swimming water.
Yes, vinyl pools need calcium hardness maintained between 150-250 ppm to prevent equipment corrosion and water balance issues. This is lower than plaster pools which need 250-350 ppm.
You should not add salt to a regular chlorine pool without a saltwater system. Salt will not provide sanitization and can damage pool equipment while creating water balance issues.
Salt water pools can turn hair green, but it's not the salt causing the problem - it's copper in the water combined with chlorine. Proper water balance and copper removal prevent green hair discoloration.
Yes, liner pools need calcium hardness maintained between 150-300 ppm for proper water balance and equipment protection. While vinyl liners don't require as much calcium as plaster pools, maintaining adequate levels prevents corrosive water conditions.
You don't need to cover your pool when it rains unless you're trying to prevent debris accumulation or have specific water balance concerns. Rain actually helps dilute chemicals and provides free water.
Yes, pool chemicals are absolutely essential for safe swimming water. At minimum, you need chlorine sanitizer, pH adjuster, and alkalinity increaser to maintain proper water balance and kill harmful bacteria.
You can typically swim 2-4 hours after adding calcium hardness increaser, once it's fully dissolved and circulated. Always test calcium hardness levels and ensure proper water balance before swimming.
IHG points are hotel rewards, not pool-related. However, pool water balance involves key chemistry points: pH (7.4-7.6), free chlorine based on CYA levels, total alkalinity (80-120), and calcium hardness (250-350 for plaster).
Fiberglass pools need calcium hardness maintained between 150-300 ppm for proper water balance and equipment protection. Lower levels than plaster pools are acceptable since fiberglass doesn't dissolve like concrete surfaces.
Pool chemicals can make you sick through skin contact, inhalation, or swimming in improperly balanced water. Common symptoms include skin irritation, respiratory issues, and eye problems, all preventable with proper chemical handling and water balance.
