What is the cheapest way to keep pool water clean?

Question

we have a 18X4' foot pool. I am curious to know what to do to keep it clean. I put chlorine in pool, and it never showed up on the test strip.(maybe I didn't add enough???) Followed directions, but didn't work.

I just want to know the easiest cheapest way to keep from having to change the water out every week.

I also had the algae in it also.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I am pretty sure you already place the cover over it every time you are finished using it. But the only thing i know is to invest in a flirtation system that will allow you to filter out and harmful bacteria or dirt. It may cost but in the long run you will be saving money.

Answer 2

If your pool is 18' round the volume to the brim is 7614 gallons.   1ppm of sodium hypochlorite 12.5% pool chlorine is 8.49oz.  Normal chlorine levels are 1-3 with 5 max.

Check your cyanuric acid level should be 10-20ppm to protect the chlorine, any chlorine, in the pool.

Check chlorine levels several times a week until you get a grip on the process.

Getting a chlorine generator will not help your situation unless you want to throw more money at it.

If you do not have a good test kit, get one,  once the water is in the pool it can be dealt with with addition of algaecide and pH adjustments to maximize chlorine effectiveness.

You're welcome!

Answer 3

make sure you are using your filter properly and make sure it is clean to start out with. first vacuum the bottom and sides then get a little less than 1 pound of sodium hypochlorite(shock) and add to the water furthest away from the skimmer. wait about 1 hour test the water. you should have a pretty high chlorine reading. but if you shock it like every two days it is the cheapest way to keep the water clean. just make sure to vacuum and dip out the leaves and bugs.

Answer 4

did you add conditioner?...without  conditioner,the sun can burn chlorine out of a pool in hours...I would say a sand filter with a good media (Not silica sand) and a pump running 12 hours at night on a low speed(if you have a 2 speed pump) combined with a chlorine generator would be cheapest way to keep water clean...the chlorine generator has a high initial investment,but after that salt is cheap.heres is a webpage with chlorine generators and a few above ground pool units about halfway down the page: http://www.swimming-pool-information.com...     and heres a page with links to various sand filter medias: http://www.swimming-pool-information.com...