Complete Pool Chemicals Guide Australia
Everything you need to know about pool chemicals in Australia. Learn proper dosing, safety, and maintenance for all pool types.
Essential Pool Chemicals
Understanding pool chemicals is essential for maintaining safe, balanced water. Here are the key chemicals every pool owner needs:
1. Chlorine (Sanitizer)
Purpose: Kills bacteria, viruses, and algae. Essential for safe swimming water.
Types:
- Chlorine tablets (slow-dissolving)
- Chlorine granules (quick-dissolving)
- Liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite)
- Salt (for saltwater pools)
Ideal Levels:
- Traditional: 1-3 ppm
- Saltwater: 1-3 ppm
- Freshwater/Naked: 0-0.5 ppm
Safety: Never mix chlorine with other chemicals. Store in cool, dry place. Wear gloves when handling.
2. pH Adjusters
Purpose: Maintains proper pH balance (7.2-7.6). Affects chlorine effectiveness and water comfort.
To Raise pH:
- Soda ash (sodium carbonate)
- pH increaser products
- 150-200g per 50,000L per 0.1 pH
To Lower pH:
- Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid)
- pH decreaser products
- 100-150ml per 50,000L per 0.1 pH
Safety: Always add acid to water, never water to acid. Wear protective gear. Add slowly to deep end.
3. Total Alkalinity (TA) Increaser
Purpose: Buffers pH changes, prevents pH swings. Ideal range: 80-120 ppm.
Chemical: Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or TA increaser products
Dosage: Approximately 1.5kg per 50,000L to raise TA by 10 ppm
When to add: Add TA first, before pH adjustments. Low TA causes pH instability.
4. Calcium Hardness (CH) Increaser
Purpose: Prevents plaster/concrete damage and equipment corrosion. Ideal range: 200-400 ppm.
Chemical: Calcium chloride or CH increaser products
Dosage: Approximately 1kg per 50,000L to raise CH by 10 ppm
Note: More important for concrete/plaster pools. Less critical for vinyl/fiberglass pools.
5. Cyanuric Acid (CYA) / Stabilizer
Purpose: Protects chlorine from UV degradation. Required for Traditional Chlorinated pools only.
Ideal Level: 30-50 ppm for Traditional Chlorinated pools
Dosage: Approximately 500g per 50,000L to raise CYA by 10 ppm
Note: Not needed for Saltwater pools (salt chlorinator provides protection). Not used in Freshwater/Naked pools.
6. Salt (Saltwater Pools Only)
Purpose: Generates chlorine through salt chlorinator. Ideal range: 3000-6000 ppm.
Type: Pool-grade salt (sodium chloride), not table salt
Initial Setup: Approximately 200-250kg per 50,000L pool
Maintenance: Add salt as needed (lost through splash-out, backwashing). Test monthly.
How to Add Pool Chemicals Safely
⚠️ Safety First
- Always wear protective gloves and safety goggles
- Never mix chemicals together before adding to pool
- Store chemicals in cool, dry place away from children
- Read and follow manufacturer instructions
- Add chemicals to pool, never pool water to chemicals
- Wait recommended time before swimming
Step 1: Test Pool Water
Use a reliable test kit to measure pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and other parameters. Test strips or liquid test kits both work. Record all values before calculating dosages.
Step 2: Calculate Required Dosage
Use PoolCalculator.com.au to determine exact chemical amounts needed based on your pool volume and current test results.
Never guess - accurate dosing prevents problems and saves money.
Step 3: Add Chemicals One at a Time
Add chemicals separately, waiting 4-6 hours between different chemicals. Add to deep end with pump running.
⚠️ Never mix chemicals together before adding to pool - this can create dangerous reactions.
Step 4: Dissolve Granular Chemicals
For granular chemicals, pre-dissolve in a bucket of pool water before adding. Pour slowly into pool while walking around the perimeter. This ensures even distribution and prevents staining.
Step 5: Run Pool Pump
Run pool pump for 4-6 hours after adding chemicals to ensure proper circulation and mixing. Keep pump running during chemical addition.
Step 6: Retest After 24 Hours
Wait 24 hours, then retest pool water to verify chemical levels are correct. Adjust if needed. Don't swim until chemicals are properly balanced and chlorine levels are safe.
Chemical Addition Order
Always add chemicals in this order, waiting 4-6 hours between each:
- Total Alkalinity (TA) first
- pH adjusters second
- Calcium Hardness third
- Chlorine last
Affects pH stability. Add TA increaser, wait 4-6 hours.
After TA is balanced, adjust pH. Wait 4-6 hours.
Add CH increaser if needed. Wait 4-6 hours.
Add chlorine after other chemicals are balanced. Wait 4-6 hours before swimming.
Chemicals by Pool Type
| Chemical | Traditional | Saltwater | Freshwater/Naked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | ✓ Required (1-3 ppm) | ✓ Generated (1-3 ppm) | Minimal (0-0.5 ppm) |
| pH Adjusters | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✓ Required |
| Total Alkalinity | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✓ Required |
| Calcium Hardness | ✓ Important | ✓ Important | Less critical |
| Cyanuric Acid (CYA) | ✓ Required (30-50 ppm) | ✗ Not needed | ✗ Not used |
| Salt | ✗ Not used | ✓ Required (3000-6000 ppm) | ✗ Not used |
| Copper | ✗ Not used | ✗ Not used | ✓ Required (0.2-0.4 ppm) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What chemicals do I need for my pool?
Essential pool chemicals include: Chlorine (sanitizer) - tablets, granules, or liquid; pH adjusters - soda ash (raise) or muriatic acid (lower); Total Alkalinity increaser - sodium bicarbonate; Calcium Hardness increaser - calcium chloride; Stabilizer (CYA) - cyanuric acid for chlorinated pools; Salt - for saltwater pools (3000-6000 ppm).
In what order should I add pool chemicals?
Add chemicals in this order: 1) Total Alkalinity (TA) first - affects pH stability; 2) pH adjusters second - wait 4-6 hours after TA; 3) Calcium Hardness third - wait 4-6 hours after pH; 4) Chlorine last - wait 4-6 hours after other chemicals. Always wait between additions and never mix chemicals.
How much chlorine should I add to my pool?
Chlorine levels depend on pool type: Traditional Chlorinated pools need 1-3 ppm free chlorine; Saltwater pools need 1-3 ppm free chlorine (generated by salt chlorinator); Freshwater/Naked pools need 0-0.5 ppm free chlorine. Use PoolCalculator.com.au to calculate exact amounts based on your pool volume and current levels.
How do I raise pH in my pool?
To raise pH, add soda ash (sodium carbonate) or pH increaser. For a 50,000L pool, add approximately 150-200g to raise pH by 0.1. Add to deep end with pump running. Retest after 4-6 hours. Common causes of low pH: acid rain, chlorine tablets, high bather load.
How do I lower pH in my pool?
To lower pH, add muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) or pH decreaser. For a 50,000L pool, add approximately 100-150ml to lower pH by 0.1. Always add acid to water (never water to acid). Pour slowly into deep end with pump running. Retest after 4-6 hours.
What is cyanuric acid (CYA) and do I need it?
Cyanuric acid (CYA) is a stabilizer that protects chlorine from UV degradation. Required for Traditional Chlorinated pools (30-50 ppm ideal). Not needed for Saltwater pools (salt chlorinator provides protection). Not used in Freshwater/Naked pools. Too much CYA (over 100 ppm) reduces chlorine effectiveness.
How often should I add chemicals to my pool?
Chlorine: Daily to weekly depending on type (tablets in skimmer, liquid daily, salt chlorinator automatic); pH/Alkalinity: Weekly or as needed based on test results; Calcium Hardness: Monthly or as needed; Stabilizer: 2-3 times per season or as needed. Test weekly and adjust based on results.
Are pool chemicals safe?
Pool chemicals are safe when used correctly. Always: Wear protective gloves and goggles; Never mix chemicals together; Store in cool, dry place away from children; Follow manufacturer instructions; Add to pool, not pool to chemical; Wait recommended time before swimming. Keep chemicals dry and sealed.
Calculate Your Chemical Dosage
Use our free pool chemistry calculator to get accurate chemical dosing recommendations for your pool.
Calculate Pool Chemistry →Was this chemicals guide helpful?