Pool care can feel overwhelming, especially when there are so many products on the shelves. But you don’t need every bottle and booster — just the right ones.
In this guide, we explain the essential pool chemicals every pool owner needs, what they do, and when to use them. No guesswork. No fluff.
Why Pool Chemicals Matter
Your pool might look clean — but if the water isn’t chemically balanced, it can:
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Damage your pool surfaces and equipment
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Turn cloudy or green
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Irritate eyes and skin
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Breed bacteria or algae
Maintaining the right chemical levels keeps your water clean, safe, and clear.
1. Chlorine (or Sanitiser)
Purpose: Kills bacteria, viruses, and algae
Options:
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Liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite)
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Granular chlorine (calcium hypochlorite)
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Tablets (trichlor)
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Salt (for salt chlorinators)
Target level: 1–3 ppm
Chlorine is the backbone of pool health. Use it regularly to maintain sanitiser levels. If using a saltwater system, your chlorinator generates chlorine from salt — but you still need to monitor levels.
You’ll find all sanitising options in our full range of pool products.
2. pH Balancer
Purpose: Controls how acidic or alkaline the water is
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Low pH (<7.2) = corrosive water, eye irritation, cloudy water
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High pH (>7.6) = scale build-up, chlorine becomes less effective
Products:
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pH Increaser (sodium carbonate)
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pH Decreaser (sodium bisulphate or muriatic acid)
Target level: pH 7.2–7.6
Test and adjust weekly for best results.
3. Alkalinity Adjuster
Purpose: Stabilises pH and prevents wild swings
Product:
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Alkalinity Increaser (bicarbonate of soda)
Target level: 80–120 ppm
If your pH bounces around, it’s usually due to low alkalinity. Adjust this before balancing pH.
4. Calcium Hardness Increaser
Purpose: Prevents etching on pool surfaces and protects equipment
Product:
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Calcium Increaser (calcium chloride)
Target level:
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Fibreglass pools: 200–300 ppm
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Concrete pools: 200–400 ppm
Soft water can draw calcium from surfaces, leading to long-term damage.
5. Cyanuric Acid (Stabiliser)
Purpose: Protects chlorine from sunlight breakdown
Without stabiliser, chlorine breaks down in direct sun — especially in Australian summers.
Target level: 30–50 ppm
Too much stabiliser can make chlorine ineffective. Check levels monthly and adjust as needed.
6. Algaecide (Preventative)
Purpose: Helps prevent algae from forming
Chlorine kills algae, but algaecide prevents it from growing in the first place.
Use:
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Weekly for prevention
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After storms or heavy use
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As part of winterisation
Choose a non-copper, non-foaming algaecide for ongoing use.
7. Pool Shock (Oxidiser)
Purpose: Breaks down chloramines and organic waste
Even when your chlorine is “working,” it builds up waste products called chloramines — these are what cause red eyes and strong pool smells.
Use:
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Fortnightly in summer
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After pool parties or storms
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After pet swims
Use chlorine shock or non-chlorine oxidiser depending on your needs. Browse both types in our pool products.
8. Clarifier or Flocculant (Optional)
Purpose: Helps remove fine particles that make water cloudy
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Clarifier clumps small particles so the filter can trap them
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Flocculant sinks debris to the bottom so you can vacuum it out
Use as needed if your water turns cloudy.
9. Metal Remover (Optional)
Purpose: Prevents stains from metals in the water (like copper or iron)
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Use after filling a new pool
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After using bore or rainwater
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If you notice staining or green tint despite proper chlorine
10. Enzyme Treatments (Optional but Recommended)
Purpose: Break down oils, sunscreen, and organic film at the waterline
These are especially useful if you host lots of swimmers or use the pool daily. Helps keep your filter and skimmer cleaner.
Weekly Chemical Maintenance Schedule
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| Monday | Test chlorine and pH. Add if needed. |
| Wednesday | Add algaecide and enzyme (if using). |
| Friday | Test water again. Adjust chlorine or pH. |
| Sunday | Shock the pool. Brush and skim debris. |
Adapt this based on your usage, temperature, and weather.
Conclusion
You don’t need a cupboard full of chemicals to keep your pool healthy. Stick to the essentials:
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Chlorine
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pH balancer
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Alkalinity adjuster
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Stabiliser
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Calcium (if required)
Add algaecides, shock, and clarifiers as needed — and keep a test kit handy to stay in control.
Need supplies? Visit our full pool products section for trusted Australian pool chemicals, testing kits, dispensers and treatment packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chlorine, pH balancer, alkalinity adjuster, calcium hardness increaser, and stabiliser (cyanuric acid). These keep your water sanitised, balanced, and safe for swimming.
2–3 times a week in summer, depending on usage. Use test strips or a digital tester to check free chlorine levels (target 1–3 ppm) and adjust accordingly.
Stabiliser (cyanuric acid) protects chlorine from being destroyed by UV rays. It helps chlorine last longer in sunny conditions. Aim for 30–50 ppm.
Low pH causes corrosion and irritation. High pH causes scale, cloudy water, and chlorine to be less effective. Keep pH between 7.2 and 7.6.
Yes — chlorine kills algae, but algaecide helps prevent it from forming. It’s especially useful during hot weather or periods of heavy pool use.
Every 1–2 weeks in summer, or after heavy rain, high swimmer load, or cloudy water. Shocking breaks down chloramines and organic build-up.
Clarifier helps your filter trap tiny particles. Flocculant sinks debris to the bottom so you can vacuum it out. Use clarifier for mild cloudiness, floc for heavy debris.
Use test strips, liquid test kits, or digital meters. Test 2–3 times per week, especially chlorine and pH, to maintain safe and clean water.
No. Always follow label instructions. Add chemicals one at a time and allow proper circulation before adding the next. This avoids unwanted reactions.
You can find everything from chlorine to pH balancers, algaecides, shock treatments and more in our full [pool products](https://www.pumpandpoolpeople.com.au/) collection — trusted by Aussie pool owners.