Start a Freshly filled pool using Chlorine or bromine

Starting a freshly filled pool to be sanitized & maintained with Chlorine or bromine is pretty simple.  Let's go step by step:

1.  Find out the TRUE number of gallons of water in your pool.  Many problems develop because folks just don't know how many gallons of water they have!  So, they're either over or under dosing.  Either are bad.  Use this chart to help you.

2.  Whether you're filling the pool with city or municipal water or using well water, treat the water for heavy metals.  Heavy metals include iron, copper, manganese.  Although there may be only trace amounts, that could be enough to cause staining or discolored water, ie: pool water turns brown as soon as initial shock is applied.  Eliminate that problem first.  Use BioGuard® Pool Magnet or Jack's Magic Pink Stuff or Blue Stuff at a rate of 1 qt. per 10,000 gallons.  In areas of High calcium hardness (over 300 ppm) pre-treat the water with BioGuard® Scale Inhibitor.

3.  Balance the pool water. Adjust pH to 7.4 - 7.6, Total Alkalinity 125 - 150 ppm, Calcium Hardness about 200 ppm.

4.  IF THE WATER IS GREEN (DUE TO ALGAE) OR VERY DIRTY CONSIDER SHOCKING THE POOL FIRST WITH BIOGUARD® BURN OUT EXTREME.  1 TO 2 lbs. per 10,000 gallons. This will help to kill any excess algae or bacteria getting you off to a more successful start.  Allow to circulate about 24 to 48 hours.  A good initial shock treatment helps guarantee success when getting started.

5.  Add initial dose of BioGuard® Stabilizer 100 - 1 lb per 3,000 gallons.  NOTE: DO NOT ADD STABILIZER OR CYANURIC ACID IF YOU ARE USING BROMINE.  BROMINE CANNOT BE STABILIZED.

6.  CHECK THE CHLORINE or BROMINE LEVEL.  Maintain chlorine at a level of about 1.0 - 2.0 ppm.  Maintain Bromine at a level of about 4.0 - 6.0 ppm.

7.  Add initial dose of BioGuard® Back Up® Algicide, Algae All 60.  Follow label instructions for the individual product.

8.  OPTIONAL - Begin adding BioGuard® Optimizer Plus®.  Add over several days at a rate of of about 2 lbs. per 1,000 gallons.  Readjust pH as necessary with BioGuard® Lo 'n Slo pH Decreaser.

9.  Follow regular maintenance procedures.

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