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How to Calculate How Much Chlorine To Add To Your Pool

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Calendar Icon May 21, 2022

How to find out how much chlorine powder to add to your pool:

  1. Find out your pool size
  2. Calculate your pool’s volume
  3. Check your pool chemistry
  4. Measure out and add in your chlorine
  5. Troubleshoot with other pool chemicals

Having your pool clean and ready to use year-round isn’t the easiest task — you have to add and maintain a variety of pool chemicals to keep the water sparkling clear. The most important of these is chlorine, which fights off harmful germs and bacteria from growing in the water, thus ensuring your pool’s sanitation.

But how much chlorine powder should you add to your pool? There’s more to it than measuring out a few cups and throwing them into the water to dissolve. In this article, we cover how to apply the right amount of this chemical so that you’re sure your water is completely clean.

Find out your pool size

All swimming pools have varying sizes — so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all amount for chlorinating your pool. So, you first need to figure out your pool size to start calculating the right amount of chlorine you need to keep your water clean.

Measure your pool’s length and width in meters, and find the average depth in feet. To find your average depth, measure the shallow end and the deep end of your pool, add both then divide by two. For example, if the shallow end is 3 ft and the deep end is 6 ft, then the average depth is 4.5 ft.

If you still have your house plans, your contractor should have them listed there. If your pool is square or rectangular, then the formula here is simple. Once you have these measurements, convert meters into feet, then multiply the length by width by the average depth (L x W x H).

However, if your pool is circular, then you need to do some more math. You first need to find the radius and height in meters, and average depth feet. Then, after converting meters to feet, use the formula of πr2h — where r is the radius and h is the average depth.

Calculate your pool’s volume

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Using the results you got from the previous section, it’s now time to find out the volume of your pool. Use the number you got from multiplying your pool’s length, width, and depth, and then multiply that figure by 7.5. This results in the number of gallons your pool can hold.

To help you visualize the full formula, here it is written down: L x W x H x 7.5 = volume of your pool (in gallons). If your pool is round, use the same formula that we mentioned (πr2h), then multiply by 5.9 instead of 7.5.

Now you should have your pool’s volume.

Check your pool chemistry

After determining the total volume of water in your pool, the next step is to determine your pool’s current water chemistry. To do this you will need to use a pool test kit, of which you have two options: test strips and test kits. Both of these can be found in our online store.

Test strips are the easier option, though they are less accurate and provide less detailed results. To use our test stips, collect a small amount of water in the provided container. Check the kit’s manual to see how much water to collect and how long to leave it in the container to get results.

Once the strip changes color, compare this to the scale chart provided on the box. This will indicate roughly how high your chlorine levels are.

Test kits are slightly harder to use for beginners but provide the most accurate results. Our test kits come with a detailed guide to help you test your pool chemistry. As long as you follow the instructions, your results will be correct. Use the provided tubes and reagents to test your water, and compare the results with the color graph. The color of the tested water should coincide with the graph and the levels indicated.

Preferably, your pool water should be within the range of 1 ppm and 3 ppm. If you find that your water is below that (or you want to raise it), proceed to the next step.

Measure out and add in your chlorine

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Before you begin adding your chlorine, take note that the best time to apply this chemical is when there is no direct sunlight. So, it’s better to do this step in the early morning or the evening.

We suggest using our 70% Mega Chlon chlorine granules for this step. To raise your ppm levels, you will need 5.6 grams chlorine per 1,000 gallons of pool water to raise chlorine by 1ppm.

This is where your previous calculations come in. Simply multiply the total volume of your pool per 1,000 gallons by 5.6 grams to find out the amount of granulated chlorine you need to add.

For example, if your pool holds 5,000 gallons of water, and you need to raise your ppm levels by 2, then the formula will look like this: (5,000 ÷ 1,000) x (5.6 x 2). This results in 56 grams of granulated chlorine.

Measure out the amount you need. Dissolve this in a bucket of warm water first, before dispersing it around the perimeter of your pool. We recommend turning on your pool filter to make sure that the chemical is circulated throughout your water. And, make sure to use safety gear while handling your chlorine.

It should be safe to use your pool for about 2 to 4 hours after adding in chlorine. But, we always suggest reading your chemical’s instructions to figure out how long you need to wait.

Key Takeaway

Chlorine helps keep a pool clean, so knowing how much chlorine powder to add to your pool is an important skill for pool maintenance. Using our article, you should be able to use this chemical in the right quantities and at the right time.

Need more supplies to maintain your pool? Check out Oktakem’s Shopee page today! We carry everything from pool cleaning tools to powerful algaecide — and, we offer speedy delivery services within Metro Manila!