Quote:
Originally Posted by valuemkt
Always happened w my pool in Atlanta.. I tried keeping up with the chemicals myself for a while and it was a disaster.. IMO, keeping the chemicals balanced in a pool is not a job for amateurs.. Find a pool company that includes chemicals in their rate. It will increase your enjoyment and probably cost less in the long run.
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Balancing a pool is very easy. Visit TroubleFree Pool and read the getting started articles. You'll have a clearer pool that is far less expensive to maintain. You only need two chemicals for 95% of the maintenance - Muriatic acid and Baking Soda. One raises pH, the other lowers.
Get a good test kit to start with - not strips, they are highly inaccurate. Either get a TF-100 kit from TF Testkits or the Taylor K2006c. Both will give you accurate readings. I would never trust a pool store - they are in business to make money.
TroubleFree pools has an app that tells you exactly what to add based on numbers for either of these kits.
Weekly maintenance is not enough in FL due to the heavy rains and sun. That's why the pool services add so many chemicals - because it needs to last for a week and they over saturate the water so it's sure to last a week.
Once you have balanced the pool, I check twice a week - and usually a day after a heavy rain. That way I add a minimum of chemicals and don't have to worry about any type of issue.