How Long Do I Need To Wait Before Swimming After Adding Pool Chemicals
by Lois
I've heard you can swim immediately, but some people say to wait 15 - 30 minutes, and some say even longer, like 10 - 12 hours. I want to be safe, so here it goes: 1. Pool Chlorine 2. Muriatic Acid/Pool 3. Sodium Bibarbonate 4. Soda Ash/pH Up 5. Calcium Hardness Increaser/Raise 6. Alkalinity Increase/Decreaser 7. Any kinds of Pool Algaecides 8. Pool water pH increaser/decrease Thanks for your help Lois Thanks for your question Lois. This is a popular question so here it goes once again. To increase your swimming pool total alkalinity level you can use sodium bicarbonate which is nothing more than baking soda. It's safe to swim immediately after adding but you'll want to see this link on how to raise your pool alkalinity. Swimming Pool Alkalinity To increase calcium hardness you'll need calcium chloride. Calcium Hardness You can swim 2 hours after adding, but if you can, allow for one full turn-over of the water. this is mainly is you're making an adjustment to the pool water. A turn-over is a full and complete filtration of all of the swimming pool water. A pool shock is a different story. It's not necessarily a time factor but when the pool chlorine level gets down to a safe level, about 1.5ppm - 3.5ppm. The swimming pool chlorine level normally takes a few days to reach a safe level. If you need it faster you can use a product called Thiosulphate which is a pool chlorine neutralizer. You can get this at any pool supply store. For other chemicals a 2 hour wait should be fine but for the best water quality, one complete turn-over. Some people say 30 minutes,but I've always error on the side of caution. If you pour muriatic acid in the pool and swim within 10 - 15 minutes you might get a "hot spot" of acid that can burn you. Hope this helps All the best with your pool Robert Follow Up Comment By: Lois Cyanuric Acid/Wait Time For Other Pool Chemicals I finally added cyanuric acid to my small salt pool. Now how long should I wait before adding an algae killer and muratic acid? I also need to add 25# more salt. My algae is almost under control and almost is as good as NOT. I bought a bottle of algecide instead of shocking the pool. I am in constant concern about killing my chlorine generator. Thanks for your last answer. Follow Up Comment By: Robert You can normally add another chemical after waiting about 2 - 3 hours, but be sure the pump motor is on and the water is circulating. The big thing is to wait for at least one for turn-over of the water before making another adjustment. One turn-over will take about 10 hours, then take another water test . I would encourage you to use normal chlorine to kill your pool algae. Algaecides are for preventative maintenance and shouldn?t be used for killing algae. When you shock the pool, be sure the chlorine generator is off. The YMCA pool is a salt pool like yours. I have shocked that pool and brought the chlorine level up to 25ppm and it didn't hurt the cell at all. BUT check with the manufacturer of your chlorine cell to know the safe limit for shocking the pool. Remember muriatic acid is used to decrease your pool pH level and alkalinity, so be sure you know which one is high. Good luck and thanks for the update. Robert Donation To My Pool Guy |
