Pool Water Treatments

How do I adjust the pH level in my pool?

  • When pH is too low:
    • Use HTH® Soda Ash on marbelite pools or HTH® Alkalinity Up on marbelite or fiberglass lined pools.
    • Follow pack directions, dilute in a bucket of water and pour around the sides of the pool with the pump running
  • When pH is too high:
    • Use HTH® Easy Acid or HTH® Dry Acid
    • Don’t add more than 500 mL Easy Acid or 2 cups of Dry Acid at a time, carefully pour around the sides of the pool with the pump running.
    • Wait 4 hours before repeating.

How do I adjust the Total Alkalinity (TA) level in my pool?

  • When TA is too low:
    • Use HTH® Alkalinity Up.
    • Follow pack directions.
    • With the pump off, add to one spot in the deep end.
    • You can switch the pump on after 20 minutes.
    • Re-test after 12 hours
  • When TA is too high:
    • Use HTH® Easy Acid of HTH® Dry Acid
    • Follow pack directions.
    • With the pump off, add to one spot in the deep end.
    • You can switch the pump on after 20 minutes.
    • Re-test after 12 hours

Do I need to correct my pH or TA first?

  • Alkalinity (TA) acts as a buffer in the water to prevent excessive pH fluctuations.  You should therefore adjust the TA first to a level of 80 – 120 ppm before adjusting the pH.

How do I Shock Treat?

  • Use HTH® Shock® It or HTH® Super Shock It® or 3 cups of HTH® Granular+ Mineralsoft Pool Chlorine.
  • Remember to adjust your pH before shock treatment.
  • Do not enter the pool until the free chlorine value is lower than 3 ppm.

Is stabilizing my pool necessary?

  • Stabiliser can be added to the pool to help prevent chlorine from being broken down by sunlight.
  • Add HTH® Pool Stabiliser to the pool according to label instructions.
  • Keep in mind that high stabilizer (CYA) levels can cause “chlorine lock” – prevent chlorine lock by maintaining CYA levels around 50 ppm.
  • Both HTH® PACE™ floater and HTH® Floater+ contain built-in stabilizer.

How do I check stabilizer levels in my pool?

  • Use HTH® Early Warning pool test strips
  • The CYA section indicates the stabilizer levels in the pool.
  • Always maintain the CYA level around 50 ppm to prevent “chlorine lock”

How do I get rid of/reduce the stabilizer if my reading is too high?

  • There is no product that you can add to remove stabiliser.
  • Stabiliser levels can only be reduced by draining some of the water from the pool and refilling with fresh water.

What is the difference between HTH® Pace™ Floater and HTH® Floater+?

The HTH® Floater + has a built-in shock treatment and an Algaecide, both contain a slow release sanitiser and a clarifier.

I am going on holiday, what product should I use in my pool to keep it blue?

  • Shock treat to boost chlorine, then add a floater.
  • Remember to correct pH, backwash filter, and clear baskets first.

Can HTH® products be used with a salt chlorinator?

  • Yes, all our products are compatible with a salt chlorinator.

How do I backwash my pool filter?

  • To ensure best performance, backwash your filter once every 2 weeks or whenever the pool cleaner gets sluggish.
  • Backwash for 2 minutes or until water runs clear out the backwash pipe.
  • Remember to rinse for 20 seconds before you resume filtration.

Why is the chlorine in my pool not working?

  • Ensure that the pH level in the pool is between 7.2 and 7.6.
  • Check the stabilizer (CYA) level – levels higher than 80 ppm could cause chlorine lock and prevent the chlorine from working.

Why is the chlorine in my pool not lasting?

  • Check the pH level and maintain around 7.2.
  • Calculate your pool volume and ensure that sufficient chlorine is added when required.
  • Add Pool Stabiliser to a level of 50 ppm to protect chlorine against sunlight.
  • Ensure that weir and pump baskets are cleaned regularly.
  • Consider using a slow-release chlorine floater.

Is HTH® Granular Chlorine stabilized?

  • No, this is a NON stabilised product and will therefore not increase CYA levels in the pool.
  • It’s quick dissolve, fast acting and can be used on its own or in addition to other pool products.

My chlorine level is too high, how can I reduce it?

  • Check that your pool is not over stabilized (CYA is lower than 50 ppm)
  • If not, let the chlorine dissipate over the next day or two or drain a portion of the water and top up with fresh water.
  • Check that chlorine level is lower than 3 ppm before entering the water.

How long after I’ve added chemicals to the pool will I be able to enter the pool?

It’s best practice in terms of safety and product performance to add chemicals to the pool when nobody is swimming.

  • For granular chlorine and Shock treatment products:
    • Enter the water once the free chlorine level is below 3 ppm.

For pool acid:

  • Allow water to circulate for at least 2 hours.
  • Measure the pH level and only enter the water once levels are between 7.2 and 7.6

For other pool maintenance chemicals (e.g. algaecides, water clarifiers, metal remover)

  • Allow water to circulate for at least 12 hours before entering the water.