Prior to Using HTH Chemicals

• 1). Calculate the capacity of your pool in gallons. This will help you to know the proper dosage for the different HTH chemical products for your pool. First, figure out the average depth by adding the deep end depth in feet to number shallow end depth in feet and divide by two. To calculate the pool's capacity for a square or rectangle pool in feet multiply the length, width and average depth. Multiply that by 7.5. For an oval pool, in feet, multiply your diameter of your pool by the diameter of your pool by the average depth. Multiply this by 5.9. This figure is what you will use to correctly follow manufacture directions for all HTH chemical products.
  
  
• 2). Understand the need to be safe with HTH chemicals. Be sure all lids are on tightly and that you store them in a cool dry place, out of reach of children and pets. Use gloves when handling HTH chemicals and make sure the chemicals don't spill onto your grass or any other kind of foliage.
  
  
• 3). Use HTH test kits or test strips twice a week to test pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and free available chlorine (FAC) levels. This will let you know which chemicals you will need to add to your pool to meet the recommended levels. To use the test kits, you should wait 24 hours after shocking your pool to test pH and FAC and collect your sample water about an arm's length deep into the water. Test immediately. Follow all manufacture directions when testing and reading your results.
  
  

Adjusting pH, Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness Levels with HTH Products

• 1). After testing, if necessary, adjust your pH level, which should be between 7.2 and 7.8. If your pH level is lower than 7.2, you should use HTH pH Plus at least one hour prior to shocking your pool. If it is above 7.8, HTH pH Minus to lower your pH levels. Follow manufacture directions for any HTH product used.
  
  
• 2). After testing, if necessary, adjust the total alkalinity levels, which should be between 60 and 120 parts per million (ppm). Alkalinity level is a measurement taken to determine if your pool is able to maintain the proper pH levels. If the alkalinity level is below 60 ppm, add HTH Alkalinity Plus and if it is above 120 ppm, add HTH pH Minus. Repeat the test the next day and treat again if necessary.
  
  
• 3). After testing, if necessary, adjust the calcium harness levels, which should be between 200 and 1000 ppm. If it is below 200 pm, add HTH Calcium Plus. If it is above 1000 ppm, you will need to partially drain your pool and add water with less calcium. Test your water again and continue draining and filling again until your water is in the desired calcium hardness range.
  
  

Shocking, Sanitizing and Controlling Algae with HTH Chemicals

• 1). Shock your pool with HTH chemicals. Shocking basically means you are super-chlorinating your pool so that bacteria and organic contaminants do not grow. You should shock your pool when you open and close your pool and once a week therein. After shocking wait 24 hours to test the FAC levels.
  
  
• 2). After waiting 24 hours after your weekly shock treatment, if necessary, adjust the free available chlorine levels, which should between 1.0 and 4.0 ppm. Chlorine keeps kills bacteria and controls algae growth. If your levels are below 1.0 ppm, you should add HTH Sanitizers or shock treatments until you get to the desired FAC range. FAC levels should never be above 4.0 ppm. It will go down with time, but you may wish to talk to your local pool specialist.
  
  
• 3). Add a HTH stabilizer or conditioner in your pool. You may need to stabilize your pool before you sanitize it with HTH products. This helps the sanitizer do its job and maintain proper chlorine levels for longer periods of time. Read the label of your stabilizing HTH product to know if it is also a stabilizer. If not, before sanitizing, test the cyanuric acid levels with a HTH test kit. The ideal cyanuric acid level is between 20 and 25 ppm. If it is out of this range, follow the directions on your HTH stabilizing product, which usually has you apply the product into your skimmer, and wait 48 hours to see if the cyanuric acid levels adjust before applying your sanitizer.
  
  
• 4). Use HTH sanitizers when your FAC levels are low. There are several HTH products to do this. Examples include HTH Dual Action 3" Chlorinating Tablets, which should be used in your feeder, skimmer, or floater and HTH Duration Chlorinating Tablets, which are to be used in your skimmer only and are wrapped in plastic so you will not have to touch any chemicals. For all HTH chlorine products, it is essential you follow all manufacture directions and apply the correct dosage for your pool's capacity.
  
  
• 5). Control algae with HTH chemicals. If algae becomes a problem, there are HTH chemicals to help for the different kind and colored pool algaes. They include HTH Algaecide, HTH Algae Stop, HTH Algae Super Stop, and HTH Yellow Rid (used with HTH shock products). Always follow label instructions and purchase the right kind of algaecide that best fit your pool's need.