Published On: 22nd October 2025

How to ‘Summer-ise’ your pool

Summer-ising prepares your pool for the warmer months ahead by ensuring the water is perfectly balanced. With our handy guide and the quality, comprehensive AquaPure range of pool chemicals you’ll be the envy of your neighbourhood in no time …PLUS you’ll safeguard your chlorine, extend the life of your pool and equipment, and keep the water safe and refreshing for you and your friends and family to enjoy all season long.

Summer-ise your pool easily … in 3 simple steps.

1. Get a Water Test!

Start your summer right with a comprehensive, computerised water analysis!

This quick test gives you an accurate snapshot of your pool’s health — ensuring your water is crystal clear, perfectly balanced, and ready for action.

2. Balance Your Pool

Use your test results to fine-tune your water chemistry.

Adjust your:

  • pH
  • Alkalinity
  • Calcium Hardness
  • Salt (if applicable), and
  • Chlorine levels

according to the recommendations provided below.

3. Apply AquaPure UV Protector

Once your water is perfectly balanced, it’s time to lock in the protection!

Retest your pool to confirm ideal levels, then apply the recommended amount of AquaPure UV Protector to shield your chlorine from the harsh summer sun — helping it last longer and work more effectively.

Balancing your pool – what you need to know

pH Levels: The ideal range is 7.2 to 7.6

  • pH measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) the pool water is.
  • It affects swimmer comfort, chlorine effectiveness, and equipment lifespan.

If pH is Low – below

7.2

Water is too acidic – can cause eye irritation, corrode metal fittings, and damage pool surfaces

How to fix:

Add AquaPure pH Up (Soda Ash)

If pH is High – above

7.6

Water is too basic – can cause scale buildup, cloudy water, and reduce chlorine effectiveness

How to fix:

Add AquaPure pH Down (Sodium Bisulphate)

Alkalinity Levels: The ideal range is 80 – 150 ppm (parts per million)

  • Total alkalinity acts as a buffer that stabilises pH and prevents sudden changes.
  • It helps maintain consistent water chemistry.

If Alkalinity is Low – below

80 ppm

pH may fluctuate easily, causing instability

How to fix:

Add AquaPure Alkalinity Increaser (Sodium Bicarbonate)

If Alkalinity is High  – above

150 ppm

Water is too basic – can cause scale buildup, cloudy water, and reduce chlorine effectiveness

How to fix:

In small portions, drain and refill with fresh water to dilute alkalinity level

Calcium Hardness: The ideal range is 150 – 440 ppm (parts per million)

  • Measures the amount of dissolved calcium in pool water.
  • Helps protect pool surfaces and equipment from corrosion or scaling.

If Calcium Hardness is Low  – below

150 ppm

Water is too soft – can corrode metal fittings, etch plaster, and damage pool surfaces

How to fix:

Add AquaPure Hardness Raiser (Calcium Chloride)

If Calcium Hardness is High – above

400 ppm

Water is too hard – can cause scale buildup on tiles, filters, and heating elements

How to fix:

Partially drain and refill with fresh water to dilute hardness

Regularly monitor pH and alkalinity to minimise scaling

Chlorine Levels: The ideal range is 1.0 – 3.0 ppm (standard pool ) and 3.0 – 5.0ppm (heavily used pools)

  • Chlorine disinfects pool water, killing bacteria and controlling algae growth.
  • Essential for maintaining safe and sanitary swimming conditions.

If Chlorine is Low – below

1.0 ppm

Water is not properly sanitised – can lead to algae, cloudy water, and bacterial growth

How to fix:

Add Chlorine Granules (Pool Sanitiser 700/Stabilised Sanitiser) or Liquid Chlorine as needed

Shock the pool if levels remain low or after heavy use

If Chlorine is High – above

5.0 ppm

Water may cause eye and skin irritation and have a strong chlorine smell

How to fix:

Stop adding chlorine and allow levels to drop naturally

If very high, dilute by adding fresh water

Test Your Water Regularly

Ongoing water testing should be done monthly for salt/mineral chlorinated pools and fortnightly for pools that are manually dosed with chlorine. Always have pool water tested after heavy use, heavy rainfall, and extreme weather events.

Contact the following Dealers to buy AquaPure or arrange a water test

Call 0800 928 373 to find your nearest Aqua Pure Stockist or visit one of our dealers listed below:

Location Name Email Phone
Whangarei Elite Water https://elitewater.co.nz/pages/contact 09 393 7755
Auckland Rural Direct Auckland [email protected] 09 297 2045
Ngatea Ngatea Waiuku Milking Machines [email protected] 07 867 7360
Matamata Beta Milking [email protected] 027 539 4555
Edgecumbe King Farm Services [email protected] 07 304 9640
Whakatane Think Water Whakatane [email protected] 07 307 0766
Napier Think Water Hawkes Bay [email protected] 06 842 0047
Hastings Think Water Hawkes Bay [email protected] 06 650 2290
Waipukurau Think Water Hawkes Bay [email protected] 06 650 9778
Wanganui Machinery Maintenance [email protected] 06 348 9239
Waihi TW Farm & Electrical [email protected] 07 863 8064
Kopu TW Farm & Electrical [email protected] 07 863 8064