Should I add other pool chemicals to my pool?
Yes
You will need to add pool salt or magnesium minerals as you currently do, which your chlorinator requires to operate. The Pooled Energy app monitors your salt levels and will advise when you need to add salt.
No
You should not add calcium hardener, buffer or cyanuric acid, or copper based algaecides. Flocculants, clarifiers and phosphate removers can be used as required. We recommend against the use of algaecides as they can cause eye irritation, but spot treatments with non-copper algaecides can be used as required.
See below for more detail. If you have any concerns please contact Pooled Energy and we can advise.
Calcium, buffer and cyanuric acid
You should not need to add calcium hardener, buffer or cyanuric acid.
Swimming pools at high pH need very low levels of calcium and buffer to remain in balance. There is sufficient calcium in the water supply, and sufficient buffer from atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolving from the air, to keep the water balanced. Cyanuric acid does not stabilise bromine, so is not used.
Pool acid
Some pools, particularly those with very active surfaces such as Marblesheen or Quartzon, may occasionally require acid. If your pH rises above 8.8 you should lower it to pH 8.0 with acid. The Pool App will notify you if acid is needed.
Algaecides
We recommend against the use of algaecides as general pool additives as they can cause eye irritation.
However, algaecides designed for spot treatments on the pool surface can be used without problems. This is particularly effective for black spot algae.
Copper based algaecides should not be used as they can interfere with the sensors.
Flocculants, clarifiers and phosphate remover
Flocculants and clarifiers and phosphate remover (“starver”) can be used as required.
The Pooled Energy system does not monitor phosphates. Advance Water Chemistry includes a mild phosphate suppressor but some pools may require a heavier treatment. If you have persistent algae problems you may have high phosphates. A water test will reveal this and a lanthanum based phosphate treatment is recommended.