You decide what to add by testing the water first, then matching products to what the test shows. Guessing from water color alone leads to over-chlorination, scale, or algae that keeps coming back in Venice and across Sarasota County.
A basic test kit or strips cover sanitizer, pH, and often alkalinity. Add only what moves a reading into the range your kit describes, and wait before retesting after each major change. Shock treatments, algaecides, and balance products have different roles; using the wrong one can cloud water or irritate skin.
Store chemicals in a cool, dry place away from lawn products, and never mix types in one bucket. For stinger insects, electrical panels, or gas heaters at the equipment pad, keep chemicals away from equipment and use licensed help for repairs.
What to look for
- Written log of test results and what you added each time
- Cloudy water after “a little of everything” dosing
- Strong chlorine smell with still-green algae (often means imbalance, not “more shock”)
- Labels that match your sanitizer system (chlorine vs salt)
Questions to ask
- Which four tests do you run before every chemical addition?
- How long should I wait before retesting after shock or acid?
- What should a service visit report show for readings and products used?
- How do rain, heavy bather load, and screen enclosures change your plan?
Post your readings (no photos of labels needed) and what you already added, and others can sanity-check your next step.