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America's Above Ground Pool Experts
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New Pool Start-Up Instructions

Learn how to open your pool for the first time using our helpful step by step guide. Follow these steps to insure your pool will be clean and clear this summer.
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To open your above ground pool you will need the following pool supplies (see below). The following instructions below have been provided by The Pool Factory’s Above Ground Pool Experts.

Here are simple and easy to follow instructions for helping you prepare your swimming pool and chemically treat your swimming pool water for the upcoming season. These instructions apply to both above ground pools and semi inground pools.

Weekly Pool Maintenance Step 10
Pool Shock
Algaecide
Chlorine Stabilizer
Chlorine Stabilizer
Alkalinity Increaser & Decreaser
Alkalinity Increaser & Decreaser
PH Plus and PH Minus
PH Plus & PH Minus
Filter Media
Filter Media
Swimming Pool Test Kit
Pool Test Kit
Chlorine
Chlorine

Your new pool has been installed and is now filled with water. Follow these steps for opening your pool for the first time.

Steps to Open your Swimming Pool

Step 1

Turn on your filter system. Please refer to your filter’s instructions manual for proper installation instructions. You can also visit our Blog Section on filters for some further assistance.

Your filter should always be on when adding/balancing chemicals in your pool.

Step 2

Using test strips, test the swimming pool’s water total Alkalinity Levels (adjust if necessary). If the alkalinity level is low, based on the test strip, add Alkalinity increaser (plus). If the alkalinity is high, based on the test strip, add Alkalinity decreaser (minus). Please refer to the bottle’s instructions for the proper amount to add for the adjustments.

Step 3

Using test strips, test the swimming pool’s water PH Level (adjust if necessary). If the pH level is low, based on the test strip, add pH increaser (plus). If the pH is high, based on the test strip, add pH decreaser (minus). Please refer to the bottle’s instructions for the proper amount to add for the adjustments.

Step 4

Add swimming pool shock at a rate of 1 pound of powder per 5,000 gallons of pool water.

Pool Capacity Cheatsheet

Pool SizeCapacity (Gal.)Pool SizeCapacity (Gal.)
10 Round2,0008x12/14 Oval2,500
12 Round3,0008x15/16 Oval3,000
15 Round5,0008x19 Oval3,500
18 Round7,50010x15/16 Oval3,500
21 Round10,00010x18/19 Oval4,000
24 Round13,00010x21 Oval5,000
27 Round17,00012x16 Oval4,500
30 Round21,00012x17/18 Oval5,000
33 Round25,00012x20/21 Oval6,500
12x24 Oval7,500
14x20 Oval7,500
15x23/24 Oval10,000
15x30 Oval12,500
16x26 Oval12,500
16x32 Oval15,000
18x33 Oval17,000
18x40 Oval18,000
21x43 Oval24,000
Please note: Pool calculations below have been rounded off to be used as a quick guide for easy pool maintenance. For exact calculations please use our pool volume calculator.

Step 5

Add a 10% pool algaecide at a rate of 12 ounces per 5,000 gallons of pool water.

Step 6

After allowing the chlorine level to decrease from shock, (use test kit to make sure chlorine level is in the safe range) add a chlorine stabilizer at a rate of 1 LB per 5,000 gallons of pool water.

Step 7

Add extra concentrated granular chlorine at a rate of 1 OZ. per 5,000 gallons per day. If you are going to be using 3” chlorine tablets in a floating tablet dispenser or chlorinator, use one 3” tablet per 5,000 gallons. The tablets are usually slow dissolving so check back in a few days to determine if the chlorine level is high enough. Add more tablets when necessary.

Following the instructions above on how to open your above ground pool should get your swimming pool ready for the season to come. Should you have any questions during this process please use the comments section below and our pool experts will get back to you as soon as possible.

About The Pool Factory

America’s Above Ground Pool Experts – is the best place to find everything you need to make owning a swimming pool or spa fun and easy, at the best prices today. With a combined 50+ years of experience The Pool Factory employs a highly trained staff of above ground and semi inground pool specialists. The Pool Factory can provide unique solutions for all pool supplies and swimming pool needs.

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