What Pool Chemicals Do I Need, & How Much?

Owning a swimming pool in Perth is a great lifestyle choice, but keeping the water crystal clear and safe takes more than just skimming the surface. The key to a healthy pool is using the right chemicals in the correct amounts and maintaining a regular maintenance routine. Proper treatment of pool water prevents damage to swimmers’ health and the pool’s plumbing. Whether you look after residential and commercial pools, your water needs the correct chemical balance to protect swimmers, pool surfaces, and pool equipment from damage.

This complete guide will help you understand what pool chemicals do I need for both chlorine pools and saltwater pools, how they work, and when to use them so you can keep your pool clean, safe, and inviting year-round.

Why Pool Chemicals Are Essential

Pool chemicals are the backbone of pool maintenance. They help keep pool water safe by killing bacteria, preventing algae growth, and balancing the water to protect your pool surfaces and equipment. Without proper pool chemistry, you risk harmful bacteria, murky water, and costly damage to your pool walls and filtration system.

The main goals of correct chemical use are:

• Killing bacteria and other contaminants
• Maintaining safe pH levels for swimmer comfort
• Preventing corrosion or scaling on surfaces and equipment
• Protecting chlorine from the sun’s UV rays
• Keeping water visually clear for a safe pool environment

Core Pool Chemicals Every Pool Owner Needs

Let’s break down the most important pool chemicals you should have on hand and why they are critical to water quality.

1. Chlorine – The Primary Pool Sanitiser

Chlorine is the most common pool sanitiser used in swimming pools. It comes in liquid chlorine, tablet form, and calcium hypochlorite granules. Chlorine works by releasing chlorine gas or hypochlorous acid into the water, which is highly effective at killing bacteria and oxidising organic matter. Bromine is another effective sanitizer for pool water, killing bacteria and other contaminants.

• Ideal chlorine levels: 1–3 ppm for most pools
• Forms available:
  • Liquid chlorine (fast-acting but short lifespan)
  • Chlorine tablets (slow release)
  • Calcium hypochlorite (granular form)

Pro tip: Too much chlorine can cause eye irritation and a strong smell, while too little can lead to harmful bacteria and algae.

2. Pool Shock – The Deep Clean Treatment

A shock treatment is a high dose of oxidiser designed to break down chloramines, kill stubborn bacteria, and reset your water balance. This is vital after pool parties, heavy rain, or visible algae growth.

• Types:
  • Chlorine shock (calcium hypochlorite)
  • Non chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate)

Shocking should be part of your regular maintenance routine, especially for commercial pools with high swimmer loads.

3. Cyanuric Acid – Sunscreen for Chlorine

Cyanuric acid protects chlorine from the sun’s UV rays, which can quickly degrade your pool sanitizer in outdoor pools. It is used as a stabilizer to ensure chlorine remains effective for longer periods.

• Recommended range: 30–50 ppm
• Too much can make chlorine less effective at killing bacteria
• Cyanuric acid levels should be tested regularly

4. pH Balancers – Keep Your Water Comfortable

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Your pool should stay between 7.4–7.6 for a comfortable and safe pool. A pH outside this range can cause irritation, damage to pool surfaces, and reduce chlorine’s effectiveness. Additionally, balancing the pH level helps prevent algae, which can discolour the pool water and surfaces.

• pH balancer or pH buffer: Keeps the water’s pH level stable
• Alkalinity increaser (baking soda): Raises alkalinity level and stabilises pH
• Muriatic acid or hydrochloric acid: Lowers pH level if it becomes too alkaline
• Alkalinity levels should ideally be maintained between 100 ppm and 150 ppm to ensure water balance and prevent pH fluctuations.

5. Calcium Chloride – Protecting Your Pool Surfaces

Calcium chloride raises calcium hardness levels to protect concrete or plaster pool finishes from erosion. Without enough calcium, water will draw minerals from your plaster pool walls, damaging the pool surface. Calcium hardness also protects the structural integrity of the pool surfaces and equipment. The ideal calcium hardness level for pool water is between 175 ppm and 300 ppm.

• Calcium hardness level: 200–400 ppm
• Calcium hardness increaser is used when levels drop too low
• Too much calcium can cause scale build-up on surfaces and equipment
• Maintaining calcium hardness between 200 and 400 ppm prevents damage to pool surfaces. However, levels between 175 ppm and 300 ppm are also considered effective for protecting pool surfaces and equipment.

6. Algaecide – Preventing Green Takeovers

Algaecide is used after a shock treatment to prevent algae growth from returning. It’s an important preventative step in your regular maintenance routine, especially in saltwater pools where algae can still thrive if chlorine levels drop.

7. Pool Clarifier – Clearing Tiny Particles

A pool clarifier binds together tiny particles that your filter might miss. This makes it easier for the filtration system to remove them, keeping the water sparkling clear.

8. Flocculant – Heavy-Duty Cleaning

When water is extremely cloudy, a flocculant will bind debris into clumps that sink to the bottom. These must then be vacuumed manually. This is usually reserved for severe water clarity problems, as flocculants make it easier to remove particles through vacuuming.

Pool Chemical Comparison Table

Maintaining the Right Water Balance

To keep your pool safe, comfortable, and clear, you need to regularly test and adjust:

1. pH level
2. Chlorine levels
3. Cyanuric acid levels
4. Calcium hardness levels
5. Alkalinity level

The ph scale ranges show that small changes can have a big impact. A slight drop in pH can cause water to become corrosive, while a small increase can cause scaling and reduce sanitiser efficiency.

Special Considerations for Different Pool Types

• Saltwater pools: Still require chlorine, but it’s generated from salt via an automatic chlorinator. Pool salt levels must be maintained alongside standard water balance.
• Concrete or plaster pool: More susceptible to calcium loss and staining without correct hardness levels.
• Commercial pools: Require stricter control due to higher swimmer loads and increased risk of contamination.

Safe Storage and Handling of Pool Chemicals

Chemicals can be hazardous if not handled correctly. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and:

• Store chemicals in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
• Wear protective gear when handling (chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection)
• Never mix different chemicals together
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Always store pool chemicals in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• When handling pool chemicals, wear chemically-resistant gloves and protective goggles to avoid injuries.
• Never mix different types of pool chemicals, as this can lead to dangerous reactions.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dosing pool chemicals to ensure safety and effectiveness.
• Wait for 30 minutes or more between adding different pool chemicals to prevent harmful reactions.

Regular Maintenance Routine for a Healthy Pool

For most pool owners, the ideal schedule looks like this:

• Daily: Check chlorine and pH levels, skim debris
• Weekly: Shock treatment, clean filter, check alkalinity level
• Monthly: Test calcium hardness and cyanuric acid levels
• Seasonally: Deep clean, inspect pool equipment, adjust for weather changes

A regular maintenance routine will help you keep your pool looking its best, extend the life of your pool surfaces, and make sure your water is safe for swimming.

Final Word – Choosing the Right Chemicals for Your Pool

Whether you manage residential and commercial pools, use chlorine tablets, or have a saltwater pool, the secret to a safe pool is balance. By understanding the role of each chemical, monitoring your water quality, and applying the correct treatments, you’ll avoid costly repairs and create a safe, enjoyable swimming environment.

If you want professional help to keep your pool perfect, 1 Pool Care provides expert pool maintenance across Perth. We supply and manage all essential pool chemicals, ensuring your pool’s water stays in balance year-round contact us today.