Backyard swimming pools can be a great source of fun and relaxation during the hot days of summer!  You know where the kids are ... there's a "vacation" in the backyard all year long ... you don't have to contend with driving to the nearest public pool ... the conveniences of owning your own pool are immeasurable and besides, all it takes is a little chlorine to keep it healthy!

But really, what is "a little" in terms of chlorine?

Actually, the amount of chlorine for any one pool depends entirely on so many variables that to make a definitive statement would be misleading.  Every pool has its own "chlorine demand."  But there are some things you, as a pool owner, can do to help make your chlorine go a little further; which in the end, could make a difference in your family budget.

1. When buying maintenance chlorine, be sure you're getting stabilized chlorine.  Stabilized chlorine contains an ingredient that helps your pool in its battle with the sun.  To a certain degree, the sun has the ability to draw out portions of chlorine and its enought to make a difference in how often you need to add more chlorine.
2. Unstabilized chlorine is good for chlorine shocks; not for maintenance.  In fact, in the long run, shocking a pool with stabilized chlorine can become just as expensive as maintaining a pool with an unstabilized chlorine.  Just remember:  unstabilized = shock AND stabilized = maintenance.
3. Have your pool water checked for its cynuaric acid (stabilizer) level.  This reading will tell you if and/or how much protection your pool has from the "sun war" it battles on a daily basis.  If your level is low, it is well worth the time and money to invest in establishing a suitable level especially since cynuaric acid carries over from year to year.  The only way for stabilizer to leave your pool is if water physically leaves your pool, which would include splash out, evaporation, vacuuming to waste, and/or year-end partial drainage.

In general these three simple guidelines should help with your budget.  Since, of course, pools vary (just like budgets), your pool might require special attention that is not covered in this short summary.

Next ... test kits.  Do you know what you're testing for?  CHLORINE: KNOW YOUR WARRIORS