Balanced water keeps algae away and makes chlorine more effective.
Test with strips or a kit and adjust in this order:
- pH: target 7.2 to 7.6
- Chlorine: free chlorine typically 1 to 3 ppm
- Total alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm
- Calcium hardness: target 200 to 400 ppm
- Stabiliser (CYA): often 30 to 50 ppm
If the pool looks dull or greenish, brush first, then shock the pool and circulate well. A clarifier can help bind fine particles so they can be filtered out.