WATER CHEMISTRY: Water, by itself, is rarely free of harsh minerals and various invaders (such as bacteria, living organisms, ammonia, and other contaminates). Some minerals and various invaders will be evident in the tap water that is used to fill your pool, as well as from certain environmental factors, while others result from poor water chemistry. The majority of these minerals and all of these invaders must be eliminated from your pool. Certain chemicals will have to be added to your pool in order to combat the undesired effects of these minerals and various invaders. This process of adding chemicals is known as "achieving Water Chemistry", or "balancing the water." In order to combat minerals found in water, pool owners must know how to test for and adjust the pH, the Alkalinity, and the Hardness levels of the water. In order to combat bacteria, living organisms, ammonia, and other contaminates (such as dirt, debris, or algae spores) found in water, you must know how to test for and adjust chlorine (or its alternative) levels in order to sanitize, disinfect, and oxidize the water. Regular shocking is also necessary to achieve water chemistry. Once water chemistry is achieved, though, it can be lost within 24 hours. Therefore, maintaining water chemistry requires constant monitoring, testing, and chemical additions. The chlorine (or its alternative) levels, as well as pH and Alkalinity, must be tested regularly by the pool owner.

Water chemistry is never as easy as just adding "1 pound of this" or "1 scoop of that" everyday, every other day, weekly, or monthly. If this were the case and it was really this easy, a perfect society of clean, clear, blue, and sparkling pools would exist. Now, if you have developed a product or plan that would create this society, then you're sitting on a billion dollar idea; let us know how we can invest. The blatant reality is that achieving water chemistry will take some time and effort. Relax, it really is minimal time and effort. This minimal time and effort, though, will protect your multi-thousand dollar investment. Water chemistry not only affects the water that is used to fill the pool, but it also protects the pool structure itself, as well as the plumbing, equipment, components, parts, and accessories that accompany your pool. Other than your pool, the best investment you have made is the purchase of poolmanual.com and all of its relevant pool ownership information that will help you achieve and maintain water chemistry and the resulting clean, clear, blue, and sparkling water.