The short answer to your question is, yes, you want to put a “start-up” dose of chlorinating agent into your pool to get it to the proper chlorine level (or slightly higher); from there, a “maintenance” dose of chlorine such as from the tablets will keep the proper level.

Should I shock a newly filled pool?

What Is It About A Newly Filled Above Ground Pools? It is often not recommended that an above-ground pool be shocked after this initial fill because this can cause damage to the liner.

What is the first thing you do after you fill a pool?





What Do You Do After an Above Ground Pool Is Filled With Water?

  1. Step 1: Learn about how to prevent drowning and pool chemical injuries. …
  2. Step 2: Turn on the filter. …
  3. Step 3: Vacuum and skim off debris. …
  4. Step 4: Test the water, and then test it again. …
  5. Step 5: Enjoy your pool, but safely!

How soon after filling a pool Can you swim?

Chlorine/non-chlorine chemicals – When adding chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals to “shock” your pool after a fill-up, wait about 24 hours or until levels are approximately 5 ppm. If you’ll only be adding liquid chlorine, it’s generally safe to swim after about 4 hours or until levels are 5 ppm or lower.

What chemicals do I need to add to a freshly filled pool?

Chemicals Needed for Pool Start Ups

  • Stain & Scale Preventer.
  • Granular Shock Chlorine.
  • Chlorine Tablets.
  • pH Increaser and/or pH Decreaser.
  • Alkalinity and/or Calcium Increaser.
  • Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer)
  • Algaecide and Clarifiers if needed.
  • Complete Test Kit or Test Strips.




How do I shock my pool for the first time?

How do I shock my pool?

  1. Check that the pH levels in your pool are balanced.
  2. Prepare shock ahead of time in a 5-gallon bucket of pool water and stir.
  3. Ensure the pool pump is running. Pour the mixture from the bucket into the water around the edges of the pool.
  4. Let the pump run for about 6 hours or more and test the water.

How do you start a pool for the first time?

How to Open a Pool

  1. Step 1: Clean up debris and check for wear and tear. …
  2. Step 2: Inventory your pool chemicals. …
  3. Step 3: Remove the Cover. …
  4. Step 4: Inspect the Pool. …
  5. Step 5: Fill Pool to Middle of Waterline Tile and Do Final Debris Removal. …
  6. Step 6: Turn on the Pool Filter and Test the Water.


How much chlorine do I add to my pool for the first time?

If you’re adding chlorine for the first time, add the amount of product required to achieve a free available chlorine level of 2 to 3 ppm. The instructions will let you know how much to use to raise levels by 1 ppm per 10,000 gallons (38,000 L) of water.

How long do I wait between adding pool chemicals?

Wait times for adding pool chemicals



The wait times between adding pool chemicals is usually around 10 minutes each, as that is also sufficient time for the chemicals to mix in the water. Users also under normal conditions can swim roughly 10 minutes after adding chemicals.

What chemicals should I balance first in my pool?

Total Alkalinity (TA)

Total Alkalinity (TA) is the first thing you should balance in your pool water. TA refers to the amount of alkaline material in the water. And since alkaline is a pH stabilizer, the number of alkaline substances in water will affect the pH balance.

How do you treat new pool water?

The fastest way to do this is to shock the pool, which just means adding more chlorine. Of course, if you use other water treatment options like ozone, bromine, or salt water, there will be other ways to treat your new pool water.

Should I adjust chlorine or pH first?



Generally speaking you adjust PH first, chlorine second, and worry about everything else more gradually. However, there are many situations where you can adjust two or more numbers at the same time if the correct combination presents it’s self.