chemicals for above ground pool

by Chan
(Louisiana)

I got my above ground pool last year and I fought with it all summer. I spent so much money on chemicals. (to find out that algae stays green when it is dead!)..Anyway, I have started cleaning for this summer and the best thing I could come up with is to drain it to almost empty using a vacuum so I could get all the crap out of it. Then I am going to enter the pool with a bucket and sponge and clean the sides the best I can. (over the winter it turned into a frog pond). I had it plugged into a cord because I do not have a plug close by ( I am having that fixed this year, having a line run from the breaker box to its own outdoor plug right by the pump with a timer) so last year I only ran the pump a few hours a day and some days not at all. (I think that was my biggest problem) anyways here are my questions:
1. How often should I shock the pool?
2. What is the easiest way to treat a pool?
3. I never used the ph stuff last year so what is the best way or type to use?
4. I used a pre sealed floater last year that all I had to do is put the holes in it at the mark for my pool, then when it is empty it floats on its side, is this the best way and cheapest?
5. Other than the chlorine and ph stuff is there anything else I must keep balanced? I have well water.
Sorry for all the questions but if I have to fight this thing again this year I am going to shoot holes in it. I really love pools and love working out in a pool so I don't want to use it as target practice. If this helps I got a really big pool. It was a demo from the store so I got it for a steal! Only 800 bucks, that’s why I went big! It is 54 deep and I think 32 round. Any information is a great help! I am hoping not to lose my mind this year over that pool!


Hi Chan, first off, it is not a good idea to completely drain an above ground pool. The liner will shrink and you may have to replace it. If you feel this is the only way to clean it do it quickly and get water back in it the same day. If the liner is not to old this might work.

Lack of proper filtration is probably your biggest problem. Here are two rules of thumb about filtration. The hotter it gets the longer you should run the filter each day. If your water starts to turn bad run the filter non stop until it clears up. This may take a couple of days but it is a lot cheaper than fighting algae for weeks.

My pool chemistry is very simple. I keep a floating chlorinator in the pool with several 3 inch tabs in it. I keep a container of granular chlorine handy and use it whenever my test kit reads that I am low on chlorine. Granular chorine will give the pool a much faster boost than the chlorinator will. I also use vinyl shock treatment every two weeks all summer. If I notice any discoloration to the water I shock the pool and let the filter run until it is clear. That is all I do and I always have clear swimming water.