The swimming pool in the garden, whether large or small, requires regular cleaning and care because the pool water is exposed to a wide variety of contamination every day. And since proper water care is the be-all and end-all for uninterrupted summer fun in the swimming pool, we have put together a few pool care tips for you today to prevent green water and slippery walls.
Especially at the beginning of theBathing seasonYou should carry out a thorough cleaning of the pool. Sweep up the coarsest dirt first. Then brush the pool edge and pool walls thoroughly to clean the lubricant film that has formed there. Then rinse well with the garden hose.
when first filled
The basis for clean water in the swimming pool is a water pump with a filter and a mixture of chemical agents. For automatic pool water cleaning, there are cartridge filters and powerful sand filters that clean the pool of coarser particles, while well-dosed pool chemicals prevent the formation of bacteria and germs.
When filling for the first time you should firstPH valuecheck. Measure daily at the beginning, then every 3-4 days. After about 2 weeks, weekly measurements are sufficient. The ideal pH value is between 7.0 and 7.4. If the pH value is too low, corrosion damage to the conductor and filter pump can occur. A pH value that is too high can lead to skin irritation and limescale deposits. The pH value is regulated with a pHplus or pHminus product.
In the pool shopwww.pooltotal.comfor example, you can find effective means such as measuring tablets, test strips and electronic testing devices for water analysis. If the values are out of tolerance, you must check the pool filter and pool pump or adjust the disinfectant dosage. Below we will introduce you to a few care products for water purification.
Disinfection with or without chlorine
After the initial filling and the pH value adjustment, shock chlorination is carried out with quickly soluble chlorine granules. The aim of this short-term overdose of chlorine is to intensively clean the filter and protect the freshly filled pool water from contamination right from the start. As a result, it is recommended to let the filter system run as long as possible until the chlorine value has fallen to between 0.3 - 0.6 mg/l. After shock chlorination, you can decide to use various water disinfection agents. The most discussed question is “pool care with or without chlorine?”
Pool care with chlorine
The disinfecting effect of chlorine is undisputedly effective. Chlorine kills bacteria and viruses that enter the water through hair dander, sweat, saliva and sunscreen. However, if high amounts of chlorine are used, chlorine can irritate the skin and eyes and even turn blonde hair green. That’s why precise dosage and regular checks are necessary.
Pool care without chlorine
If you don't want to disinfect pool water with chlorine, you can choose alternatives such as bromine and active oxygen.
- Disinfection with active oxygen/hydrogen peroxideas a gentle and skin-friendly option - the advantage of active oxygen care is the odorless soft water. This method also uses a chemical product and by no means just oxygen. It's about oxygen-releasing compounds such as hydrogen peroxide in liquid form or as tablets and granules. The ideal oxygen content in pool water is 3.0 – 8.0 mg/l.
- Pool disinfection with bromine - Compared to chlorine, bromine is also gentler on skin and hair and has an equally good disinfectant effect. The high effectiveness of bromine at elevated pH values is particularly interesting, while the disinfection performance of other care methods decreases significantly in such cases.
Home remedies for pool care
- You can use citric acid to clean the pool or lower the pH value as a replacement for PHminus.
- You can use vinegar or vinegar essence to remove limescale from the pool floor and walls and lower the pH value.
- Baking soda in swimming pools – Sodium carbonate is used to increase the pH of pool water.
Care at high temperatures
At high temperatures, germs, bacteria and algae multiply very quickly. It is therefore recommended to circulate and filter the water at least 2-3 times per day.
To avoid green water in the pool, you should keep the water moving and suppress algae growth with special anti-algae agents (algicides). Copper sulfate is also used to combat algae infestation. It is a type of permanent disinfection and saves further additives and controls because it does not need to be re-dosed. However, the disadvantage of copper sulfate is that it does not break down and, when used in sufficient quantities, becomes an environmental toxin.
A great idea is to clear pool water with vitamin C powder. Green or brown discoloration is eliminated by the ascorbic acid it contains. This tip also applies to fountains.Hereyou can find out more about it.
And what do you do when you go on vacation and will be away for more than 8 days? First cover the swimming pool light-tight with a tarpaulin. Then adjust the pH value to 7.0 – 7.4 and the chlorine content to approx. 0.6. Place a Multitab (long-term tablet) in the skimmer and let the filter system run on a timer. Check the water quality upon arrival and adjust if necessary.
Which tasks should be carried out and how often?
Here we have put together the necessary tasks for proper pool care.
Daily:
- Remove leaves and fallen dirt from the water surface with a landing net
- Circulate water 2-3 times per day
- Checking the pH and disinfectant value
After every rain and thunderstorm, the pH value and chlorine content should be measured.
Regularly:
- supply fresh water
- Clean walls and edges
- Vacuum the pool floor - with a manual floor vacuum, automatic pool vacuum or pool robot.
- Add anti-algae agent to the tank once a week
- Backwash sand filter every 7 days
- Clean the skimmer basket and the filter in the pump at least once a week
A pool maintenance app allows pool owners to check the water quality and access important information for pool analysis using their smartphone. This allows you to calculate water values, chemical additions and additional dosages. A helpful tool even for beginners!
