Pool Treatment Guide
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Download a digital version of our pool water treatment guide so that you can easily refer to it whenever you need.
Download The GuidePool Chemicals Guide
For a complete guide to ClearWater pool chemicals and water management, including dosage recommendations, click below for our pool chemicals guide.
Pool Chemicals GuideShop Hot Tub Chemicals
Get all the chemicals you need for your pool. From chlorine granules and multifunction chlorine tablets, to pH regulators, find everything you need to treat and maintain your water.
Pool ChemicalsStep 1 - Initially
STEP 1: ADDING CHEMICALS TO YOUR POOL
As soon as the pool is filled with water, you need a (booster) shock dose of Stabilised Chlorine Granules. This is a larger dose than normal to eliminate bacteria or contamination. Normally you need to aim for a Free Chlorine level of 1–3ppm, but the booster dose will raise the level to approx. 10ppm and this high level needs to be maintained in the pool for a minimum of 2½ hours. It may remain for at least 24 hours and will gradually drop over time. Use the pool only once levels fall between 1–3ppm (after approx. 12 hours).
How much stabilised chlorine granules do I need?
This depends on how many litres of water your pool holds.
| POOL VOLUME | BOOSTER DOSE – STABILISED CHLORINE GRANULES |
|---|---|
| 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) | 50g (approx. 3 tablespoons) |
| 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) | 100g (approx. 7 tablespoons) |
| 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) | 150g (approx. 10 tablespoons) |
A tablespoon = approx. 15g Stabilised Chlorine Granules
The correct free chlorine level keeps the swimming pool water safe and bacteria free.
Step 2 - Daily
STEP 2: TESTING & ADDING CHLORINE
Test your pool water using Clearwater® Dip Tests. These strips help you quickly check Free Chlorine, pH, and Total Alkalinity. Dip the strip, hold level for 15 seconds (don’t shake off water), then compare to the chart on the container.
Very high Chlorine levels can bleach the indicator on the dip test.
To maintain clean water, apply daily doses of Stabilised Chlorine Granules. More chlorine may be needed during heavy use.
| POOL VOLUME | TO INCREASE CHLORINE BY 1PPM |
|---|---|
| 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) | 20g (approx. 1.5 tablespoons) |
| 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) | 40g (approx. 2.5 tablespoons) |
| 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) | 60g (approx. 4.5 tablespoons) |
Step 3 - Weekly
STEP 3: ALGAE CONTROL
Algae are microscopic forms of plant life that can quickly multiply in untreated water. They turn pool water green and make sides slippery. Clearwater® Algaecide provides added protection—use an initial booster dose, then apply a weekly top-up.
| POOL VOLUME | INITIAL BOOSTER DOSE | WEEKLY DOSE |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) | 55ml | 28ml |
| 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) | 110ml | 55ml |
| 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) | 165ml | 83ml |
Step 4 - When Required
STEP 4: ADJUSTING pH LEVEL
Correct pH levels ensure that the pool is safe and comfortable. Use Clearwater® pH Plus to raise pH or pH Minus to reduce it. Ideal range: 7.2–7.6.
| POOL VOLUME | LOW pH – APPLY pH PLUS | HIGH pH – APPLY pH MINUS |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) | 50g (approx. 3 tbsp) | 50g (approx. 2.5 tbsp) |
| 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) | 100g (approx. 7 tbsp) | 100g (approx. 5 tbsp) |
| 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) | 150g (approx. 10 tbsp) | 150g (approx. 7.5 tbsp) |
ADJUSTING TOTAL ALKALINITY
TA helps buffer pH swings. Keep it between 80–120ppm. Use Clearwater® TA Plus to raise and pH Minus to lower.
STEP 1: ADDING CHEMICALS TO YOUR POOL
As soon as the pool is filled with water, you need a (booster) shock dose of Stabilised Chlorine Granules. This is a larger dose than normal to eliminate bacteria or contamination. Normally you need to aim for a Free Chlorine level of 1–3ppm, but the booster dose will raise the level to approx. 10ppm and this high level needs to be maintained in the pool for a minimum of 2½ hours. It may remain for at least 24 hours and will gradually drop over time. Use the pool only once levels fall between 1–3ppm (after approx. 12 hours).
How much stabilised chlorine granules do I need?
This depends on how many litres of water your pool holds.
| POOL VOLUME | BOOSTER DOSE – STABILISED CHLORINE GRANULES |
|---|---|
| 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) | 50g (approx. 3 tablespoons) |
| 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) | 100g (approx. 7 tablespoons) |
| 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) | 150g (approx. 10 tablespoons) |
A tablespoon = approx. 15g Stabilised Chlorine Granules
The correct free chlorine level keeps the swimming pool water safe and bacteria free.
STEP 2: TESTING & ADDING CHLORINE
Test your pool water using Clearwater® Dip Tests. These strips help you quickly check Free Chlorine, pH, and Total Alkalinity. Dip the strip, hold level for 15 seconds (don’t shake off water), then compare to the chart on the container.
Very high Chlorine levels can bleach the indicator on the dip test.
To maintain clean water, apply daily doses of Stabilised Chlorine Granules. More chlorine may be needed during heavy use.
| POOL VOLUME | TO INCREASE CHLORINE BY 1PPM |
|---|---|
| 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) | 20g (approx. 1.5 tablespoons) |
| 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) | 40g (approx. 2.5 tablespoons) |
| 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) | 60g (approx. 4.5 tablespoons) |
STEP 3: ALGAE CONTROL
Algae are microscopic forms of plant life that can quickly multiply in untreated water. They turn pool water green and make sides slippery. Clearwater® Algaecide provides added protection—use an initial booster dose, then apply a weekly top-up.
| POOL VOLUME | INITIAL BOOSTER DOSE | WEEKLY DOSE |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) | 55ml | 28ml |
| 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) | 110ml | 55ml |
| 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) | 165ml | 83ml |
STEP 4: ADJUSTING pH LEVEL
Correct pH levels ensure that the pool is safe and comfortable. Use Clearwater® pH Plus to raise pH or pH Minus to reduce it. Ideal range: 7.2–7.6.
| POOL VOLUME | LOW pH – APPLY pH PLUS | HIGH pH – APPLY pH MINUS |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) | 50g (approx. 3 tbsp) | 50g (approx. 2.5 tbsp) |
| 10,000 litres (2,200 gallons) | 100g (approx. 7 tbsp) | 100g (approx. 5 tbsp) |
| 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) | 150g (approx. 10 tbsp) | 150g (approx. 7.5 tbsp) |
ADJUSTING TOTAL ALKALINITY
TA helps buffer pH swings. Keep it between 80–120ppm. Use Clearwater® TA Plus to raise and pH Minus to lower.
Other Useful Information
How Often Do I Need To Drain & Refill My Pool?
To avoid a build-up of pollution from bathers, it is recommended to refresh the pool water by draining and refilling every 2–3 months.
Why Is Water Circulation And Filtration So Important?
It is a combination of circulating the water and the cartridge filter collecting debris along with regular chemical treatment that keeps the pool water safe and crystal clear. Most pools include a pump to circulate the pool water and a cartridge filter to keep the water clear and free of debris. You should run your pool’s circulation every day referring to your pool Owner’s Manual for more detailed advice. Note, when the cartridge filter is dirty, filter efficiency and circulation is impaired often leading to cloudy water. Rinse the cartridge filter weekly with clean water to remove debris. For a more thorough clean, use ClearWater cartridge cleaner.