Owning a pool in New Zealand is great—until you realise you have to keep the water clean and safe. Don’t stress. Balancing pool chemicals isn’t rocket science, but you do need to get it right. Here’s what you need to know, step by step.
1. Test Your Water Regularly
You wouldn’t cook without checking the recipe, right? Same thing here. Before chucking in chemicals, test your water so you know what needs adjusting.
Get yourself a pool test kit or test strips from a local retailer like Bunnings or Pool & Spa Warehouse. Dip a strip, compare the colours, and boom—you’ve got a reading.
For even more accuracy, some pool shops (like Para Rubber) offer in-store water testing. Just take a sample in and they’ll tell you exactly what you need.
2. Balance the pH First
Think of pH as the foundation of your pool chemistry—it affects how well everything else works. The ideal range? 7.2 to 7.6.
- Too high? The water gets cloudy, and chlorine doesn’t work properly. Add a pH decreaser (sodium bisulfate).
- Too low? The water gets acidic—bad for your skin and your pool. Add a pH increaser (sodium carbonate aka soda ash).
You can grab these from Mitre 10 or your local pool supply store.
3. Get the Chlorine Right
Chlorine keeps your pool from turning into a swamp. But too much? Your eyes burn. Too little? Algae and bacteria take over. Aim for 1-3 ppm (parts per million).
- Use chlorine tablets or granular chlorine for regular maintenance.
- If the water looks a bit off (greenish or murky), do a shock treatment with pool shock (calcium hypochlorite).
If you prefer a saltwater pool, you’ll need salt and a chlorinator to handle this automatically. Clark Pools & Spas offers solid options.
4. Keep an Eye on Alkalinity
Total alkalinity (TA) is like a buffer for your pH. If it’s too low, the pH bounces all over the place. If it’s too high, adjusting pH becomes a nightmare. Shoot for 80-120 ppm.
- Too low? Add baking soda (yep, the same stuff you bake with).
- Too high? Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) will bring it down—but go slow.
Most pool stores sell alkalinity increasers, but baking soda from the supermarket does the trick too.
5. Monitor Calcium Hardness
Too much calcium, and your pool gets scale buildup. Too little, and the water eats away at surfaces. Aim for 200-400 ppm.
- Low calcium? Add calcium chloride.
- Too high? This one’s trickier—diluting your pool water may be your best bet.
Some areas in NZ (like Christchurch) have softer water, so testing is key.
6. Don’t Forget Stabiliser (Cyanuric Acid)
This is your chlorine’s sunscreen—it stops the sun from burning it off in hours. You want a level of 30-50 ppm.
- Too low? Add stabiliser (cyanuric acid).
- Too high? Dilution is your only option.
If you’re using stabilised chlorine tablets, they already contain some stabiliser. Just don’t overdo it.
7. Shock Your Pool When Needed
If the water smells funky or looks murky despite having chlorine, it’s time for a shock dose. This kills off bacteria and algae fast.
Use a shock treatment (calcium hypochlorite or non-chlorine shock) and let it circulate overnight. You’ll need to wait a bit before swimming, so check the instructions.
8. Keep an Eye on Phosphates & Algae
Algae thrives when phosphates are high (usually from leaves, dirt, or fertiliser runoff). To keep it under control:
- Use a phosphate remover (sold at pool stores).
- Regularly brush your pool to stop algae from clinging to surfaces.
- Run your pump daily to keep the water moving—still water = algae growth.
For green pool problems, the team at Pools & Spas NZ have some solid troubleshooting advice.
9. Run the Pump & Filter Properly
Chemical balance doesn’t mean much if your water isn’t circulating. Run your pump for at least 6-8 hours a day (more in summer). Make sure the filter is clean—backwash or rinse it regularly to prevent clogging.
Using a filter cleaner from NZ Pool Supplies can help keep it running smoothly.
10. Keep It Simple
Once your pool is balanced, maintaining it is easy. Test the water 2-3 times a week, adjust as needed, and don’t overcomplicate things.
Grab your supplies from trusted NZ retailers like Mitre 10, Bunnings, or specialty stores like The Pool Shop NZ. If you’re unsure, most pool shops are happy to help with advice.
Want a hands-off approach? Look into automatic chlorinators or pool maintenance services. Some local companies offer monthly servicing, so you don’t have to stress about it.
That’s it! Balancing your pool chemicals is just about testing regularly and tweaking things when needed. Get into a routine and you’ll have clear, safe water all summer long.
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