- 1). Remove any debris from the pool before treating it with chemicals. Using a leaf skimmer, pull out any foreign objects, including leaves, twigs, insects and moss. Run a broom along the bottom and sides of the pool to loosen any residual dirt on the interior surface. Set your pool sweeper to the "on" position, allowing it to run the course of the pool bottom.
- 2). Turn off the pool filter and unplug it from the power outlet. Open the casing and remove the filter. Replace the filter if necessary, or hose it clean using a garden hose nozzle. Plug the filter back in and turn it on to begin cycling.
- 3). Test the pool water. Using a pool water testing kit, follow the manufacturer's specific instructions for testing the balance of the pool water. It will either be "soft" or "hard" and should range from 200 to 400 parts per million (ppm).
- 4). Following the manufacturer's guidelines, add sodium hexametaphosphate to lower the calcium or "hardness" level, or add carbonate dehydrate to increase the water's calcium level.
- 5). Determine the alkalinity level of the pool water by using the test kit and again following the manufacturer's proprietary instructions. The alkalinity level ideally should range between 100 to 120 ppm. Decrease the alkalinity level by adding sodium bisulfate, or increase it by adding sodium bicarbonate.
- 6). Measure the pool water's pH level using the pH tester supplied in the test kit. Follow the included instructions to obtain the water's pH level. You are looking for a reading between 7.2 and 7.6. Increase the pH level by adding sodium carbonate, or decrease the pH level by adding sodium bisulfate.
- 7). Add chlorine tablets to the chlorine floater and toss it into the water to chlorinate the pool.
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