Maintaining a pool is mostly about keeping it balanced. Four parameters rule the rest, and you should adjust them always in this order:

1. Total alkalinity (80–120 ppm)

Acts as a "buffer" for the pH. If it's right, the pH stays put; if it's low, the pH drifts up and down (bounce effect). Adjust it before the pH.

2. pH (7.2–7.6)

This is what most affects swimming comfort and chlorine effectiveness. With a high pH chlorine barely disinfects; with a low pH the water is corrosive and stings the eyes.

3. Sanitizer (chlorine 1–3 ppm)

This keeps the water healthy. It only works well once pH and alkalinity are in place.

4. Hardness and stabilizer

Hardness (200–400 ppm) protects against corrosive or scaling water. Cyanuric acid (30–50 ppm) protects chlorine from the sun.

Golden rule

  • Adjust one parameter at a time.
  • Add products with the pump running, spread around the pool.
  • Wait a few hours of filtration and test again before correcting further.
  • Test 2–3 times a week in summer.