I am often asked how hard is it to take care of a swimming pool. My first response is it is not very hard at all. You just need to be proactive in maintaining a proper sanitizer level (chlorine, bromine, biguinide, etc.). 
My favorite saying is "A Balanced Pool Is a Happy Pool!" If you make sure that your water is balanced you will use less chemicals in the long run. Why? If your water is balanced your chlorine will work more efficiently. High pH and alkalinity cause chlorine to work harder to keep the water clean. The same goes for low pH and alkalinity. Keeping your water in balance will also prolong the life of your filtration system not to mention the interior surface of your pool. I recommend having your pool water proessionally analyzed at least one a month if not more. I can tell you that I have people who come into the store every week year round to have us test their water (pool and/or spa) and their pools have NEVER had algae problems! By doing this they let us help them take care of their pools and that does make things easier for them.
There are quite a few products on the market that has made taking care of pool a lot easier than it used to be. Automatic chlorinators such as the FROG or NATURE 2 system feeds chlorine into your pool in combination with minerals. Salt Systems have become very popular in the last few years. In short, a salt generator is like a little chlorine factory attached directly to your pool. There are automatic vacuums that you can use on both above ground and in ground swimming pools. These are a little like having your own "pool boy" keeping your pool clean.
All in all taking care of a swimming pool is really not that hard.
- Keep chlorine in your pool
- Shock your pool once a week
- Add algaecide once a week
- Run your pump during the daylight hours
- Go and see your favorite pool person, have them check all of the other levels.
The most important thing I tell all new pool owners is to relax and not stress out over the chemicals, that is what we are here for. Having a pool store you trust, like BIG KAHUNA POOLS, SPAS, AND MORE INC. is key. Let them worry about what is needed to balance your water! Having a swimming pool is meant to be enjoyable not a heartache!
