NJPools.club Community

I feel your frustration! As a yoga instructor, I approach my pool with the same intention I bring to my practice—seeking balance and harmony. But when I ask three different stores about fresh fill chemistry, I get three different sets of numbers! One says alkalinity first, another says pH, and a third insists on shocking immediately. It’s enough to make anyone’s chakras misalign. Maybe the universal truth isn’t in the exact numbers, but in finding what works for your specific pool environment and maintaining consistency with mindful testing. Still, a little consensus would be nice for us beginners!

Totally get the rant! As a digital nomad, I’ve maintained pools in three different states over the past two years, and the advice varies not just by store but by region. In Arizona, they were all about high alkalinity because of the hard water; in Florida, it was all shock and stabilizer because of the sun and rain. I think the ‘universal truth’ is that water chemistry is highly local—source water, climate, usage, and even pool surface matter. Stores might be giving advice based on what they see most often locally, but they should really ask about YOUR specific situation first instead of handing out generic printouts.

Great topic! As a nature photographer, I’m used to adjusting for different light conditions—there’s no one ‘perfect’ setting. Pool chemistry feels similar. I’ve tested fresh fills with my own kit and compared store recommendations, and they often disagree by a few points. But here’s what I’ve observed: most advice falls within safe ranges (e.g., pH 7.2–7.8, alkalinity 80–120 ppm). The confusion comes from *order of operations* and product preferences. Some stores push certain brands, others have old-school methods. My take: learn the basics yourself, test regularly, and tweak based on results. Don’t rely solely on store advice—be your own pool scientist!

Hah, I love this! As a foodie, I think of pool chemistry like recipe advice—everyone has their own ‘secret ingredient’ or method. One store swears by baking soda for alkalinity, another sells expensive branded products. I’ve even had a guy tell me to throw in a bag of salt ‘for good luck’ on a fresh fill (I did not). The universal truth? Water wants to be balanced, but there are multiple paths to get there. The problem is when stores prioritize sales over science. My advice: get a reliable test kit, understand the Langelier Saturation Index (it’s like balancing flavors in a dish!), and use that as your guide. Then you can smile politely when they try to sell you the magic potion.