Pool and hot tub guides
Short, practical guides for fixing the water you've got. Every number in them comes from our calculators, and every guide lists its sources.
Pool problems
- How to clear a green poolGreen pool water means algae. Here's how to clear it: balance pH, brush, shock, run the filter nonstop and vacuum, with the amounts for your pool size.
- Pool chlorine low after shocking? Here's whyShocked the pool and chlorine still reads low or zero? The usual causes are sun, algae, too much or too little stabilizer, weak chlorine or a test error.
- Why is my pool cloudy? Causes and fixesCloudy pool water usually comes from the filter, low chlorine, high pH or early algae. Find which you have and fix it, plus clarifier vs flocculant.
Water balance
- How to lower pH in a poolHow to lower pool pH with muriatic acid or dry acid: how much to add for your pool size, how to add acid safely, and why pH keeps creeping back up.
- How to raise alkalinity in a poolLow alkalinity makes pool pH bounce around. Here's how much baking soda raises it for your pool size, when to use soda ash instead and how to add it right.
Seasonal
- How to close your pool for winterClose your pool for winter without freeze damage: balance and shock, lower the water, blow out and plug the lines, drain the equipment and cover it up.
- How to open your pool for summerOpen your pool for the season in the right order: cover off, water up, equipment back on, pump primed, water balanced and shocked. Printable checklist.
Hot tub
Printables
Free, one page each.