Clear Water, Without the Guesswork

Test at least twice a week during swim season, and after heavy rain, a storm, or unusually heavy pool use. Check chlorine and pH most often, with a full alkalinity and hardness check every couple of weeks.

Regular chlorine (tablets or granular) maintains a steady sanitizer level day to day. Shock is a much larger, concentrated dose used occasionally to rapidly clear algae, break down chloramines causing odor and irritation, or catch water back up after heavy use.

That sharp smell is usually a sign of too little free chlorine, not too much — it's caused by chloramines, a byproduct of chlorine reacting with sweat, oils, and other organic matter. A shock treatment breaks these down and typically clears the smell.

Generally yes, as long as you're matching the actual chemical type rather than the brand name — many products are sold under different names by different companies but contain the same active ingredient. Never physically mix chemicals together before adding them to the water, though.

Cloudiness is often caused by fine particles too small for your filter to catch, or by high pH, alkalinity, or calcium levels. A clarifier or enzyme product paired with a filter clean usually resolves it — our chemical finder quiz can help narrow down the cause.

Wait times vary by product — most balancers and sanitizers clear within 20-30 minutes with the pump running, while shock treatments typically need a few hours. Always check the product label, and test before swimming if you're unsure.