Test chlorine and pH 2-3 times per week during swimming season. Test alkalinity weekly. Test calcium hardness and cyanuric acid monthly. After heavy rain, parties, or adding chemicals, test more frequently.

Ironically, a strong "chlorine smell" usually means you need MORE chlorine, not less. That smell comes from chloramines (combined chlorine) - chlorine that has reacted with contaminants. Shock your pool to break down chloramines and the smell will go away.

After adding most chemicals, wait at least 15-30 minutes with the pump running to circulate. For shock treatment, wait until chlorine drops below 5 ppm (usually 8-24 hours). After adding acid, wait at least 30 minutes. Always test before swimming.

CYA cannot be chemically removed from pool water. The only effective methods are: 1) Partial drain and refill with fresh water, or 2) Using specialized bio-active CYA reducers (slow process). Prevention is key - avoid overusing stabilized chlorine products.

Common causes include: inadequate filtration (run pump longer, clean filter), high pH (above 7.8), low chlorine, high calcium hardness, algae beginning, or high total dissolved solids. Test your water to identify the specific issue.

This varies greatly based on pool usage, weather, and other factors. Rather than following a fixed schedule, test your chlorine 2-3 times weekly and add what is needed to maintain 2-4 ppm. Our calculator tells you exactly how much based on your current and target levels.

Liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) is best for regular dosing as it doesn't add CYA. Trichlor tablets are convenient for consistent chlorination but add CYA over time, which can build up. Many pool owners use tablets for baseline chlorine and liquid for adjustments.

Common reasons: low or no CYA (stabilizer) allowing UV to destroy chlorine, high bather load, algae growing and consuming chlorine, high chlorine demand from contamination, or insufficient dosing. First check your CYA level - it should be 30-50 ppm.

Use our Pool Volume Calculator. Enter your pool shape and dimensions, and we calculate the gallons. Common pools: 15x30 ft rectangular with 5ft avg depth = about 17,000 gallons. Round 24ft with 4ft avg depth = about 13,500 gallons.

No! Salt water pools use a salt chlorine generator that converts salt (sodium chloride) into chlorine. You still need proper chlorine levels - the salt system just produces it automatically instead of you adding it manually.

Test strips are convenient but less accurate than liquid drop test kits (like Taylor K-2006). Strips are fine for routine monitoring but for precise adjustments, especially for CYA and calcium, a liquid test kit or professional pool store test is recommended.

Shock weekly for maintenance, after heavy use (parties), after rain storms, when combined chlorine exceeds 0.5 ppm (chlorine smell), when algae appears, after contamination events, or when opening the pool for the season.