Opening Your Pool
To open your pool you will need the following:
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- Shock
- Algaecide
- Chlorine Stabilizer
- Alkalinity Increaser and Decreaser
- PH Plus and PH Minus
- New Sand, D.E., or Cartridge for your filter
- Chlorine
- Test Kit
Our Pool Opening & Maintenance Kit is a great value and contains all of the above items except number 1 (shock), number 6 (filter media) and number 7 (chlorine).
Read entire label of each pool chemical and use in accordance with
precautionary statements and directions. Pool chemicals can be
dangerous if used improperly. All chemicals should be handled by
adults only, and kept out of the reach of children. Filter system must always be on and running when adding chemicals to pool. All chemicals must be added to pool separately and must not be mixed together.
Step 1: Remove the pool cover.
Step 2: Connect filter to the pool.
Step 3: Remove winter plate from skimmer opening and remove plug from return opening.
Step 4: Add water if necessary. Water level should cover approximately three quarters of the skimmer opening.
Step 5: Clean and vacuum pool. If the pool is extremely dirty and you are unable to see the bottom, use your leaf skimmer or leaf rake to remove any large debris. Then vacuum pool slowly. It is crucial to vacuum the pool even if you cannot see the bottom.
Step 6: Measure the total alkalinity of the pool water with a reliable test kit and adjust to proper range of 80 to 120 ppm. Add Aquamate Alkalinity Plus as necessary, following precautionary statements on bottle.
Step 7: Measure the ph level of the pool water with a reliable test kit and adjust to proper range of 7.2 to 7.8. Add Aquamate PH Plus as necessary, following precautionary statements on bottle.
Step 8: Add liquid shock at a rate of 1 gallon per 5000 gallons of pool water. Follow precautionary statements on bottle.
Step 9: Add ALGAECIDE at a rate of 12 ounces per 5,000 gallons of pool water. Follow precautionary statements on bottle.
Step 10: After allowing chlorine level to decrease from SHOCK, (use test kit to make sure chlorine level is in the safe range) add CHLORINE STABILIZER at a rate of 1 LB per 5,000 gallons of pool water. Follow precautionary statements on bottle.
Step 11: Begin adding your regular dose of chlorine sanitizer (ie. chlorine powder or tablets) to keep your chlorine level in the safe range on your test kit. Follow precautionary statements on bottle.
Pool Volume in Gallons
| Round Pools | Capacity (Gallons) | Oval Pools | Capacity (Gallons) |
| 10 Round | 2,000 | 8x12,8x14 | 3,000 |
| 12 Round | 3,000 | 8x19 | 3,500 |
| 15 Round | 5,000 | 10x15, 10x16 | 3,500 |
| 18 Round | 7,500 | 10x21, 12x18 | 5,000 |
| 21 Round | 10,000 | 12x24, 14x20 | 7,500 |
| 24 Round | 14,000 | 14x25, 15x24 | 10,000 |
| 27 Round | 18,000 | 15x30, 16x26 | 12,000 |
| 30 Round | 21,000 | 16x32 | 15,000 |
| 18x33 | 19,000 |
Note: Pool volumes above are approximate. For exact calculations please use the calculator below.
