An unbiased answer regarding swimming pool chemicals?

Question

The swimming pool stores say the chemicals available widely at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc are for "kiddie pools" and are no good for regular above-ground pools. Of course, the right chemicals are what is sold specifically in their store and no one else's. I need an unbiased voice in this who can tell me if I can maintain the pool chemistry with items widely available.

Answer 1

Okay folks, here's the straight skinny. For those that believe pool stores are just out to make a buck: aren't they entitled to make a profit? Do you deny ANY company a profit. Pool stores test a lot of water- for free- for people who then go to the mega stores and buy their chems. When they don't get the promised results they then claim the pool store gave them bad advice! While some of the chemicals that the mega barns sell are the same (very few) most of the "cheap" chems are cheap for a reason. Algaecide, for example, that comes in a gallon bottle is a waste of money. It is NOT the same. Shocks are not always the same. Look not just at ingredients but also percentage of available chlorine. Also, check prices carefully. Wally World doesn't always have the low price. I had a pool store just across the street from a super center. Almost across the board I was cheaper than they were! Still, I couldn't get rid the mind-set that Wally World was cheaper. Simply because they have brainwashed all the little blue-haired ladies into BELIEVING that they are cheapest! Pool stores typically have better quality chemicals. A pool is a luxury, not a necessity. Put garbage in, get garbage results. Why not put good chemicals in and get the desired result? Or spend countless hours, and wasted dollars, in frustration?

Answer 2

Simple answer is yes you can. There's really not much difference, that an above ground pool owner needs to worry about, other than price. The acid can be bought at half the price in any hardware store, it's the EXACT same. The chlorine pucks might have a little more filler material than pool store pucks, but no issue with an above ground pool, same with the shock.
Don't buy into all the pool retail store's hype.
Pool stores do charge more, they do it to offset that fact that in a lot of areas, it's a seasonal biz and they need to make their money while they can.It's all they do. They don't sell anything else. How much are fireworks before July 4th and then how much are they after? Get my meaning? It's not uncommon to see a pool retail store put on a 75% markup on goods, whereas the normal retail markup is about 40%.
Sad to say as well, there are crooks in any industry.

Answer 3

The chemicals are exactly the same, some packages may say; safe for kiddie pools. That is just a marketing ploy. You just need to have your pool water tested at an actual pool store when you initially fill your pool, and they can advise you of the proper mix of chemicals to use, so you can buy the initial items from them, if you want, especially if the test is free. Just read your ingrediants carefully so that you are getting the recommended PH and all for your pool water. Best of luck and Enjoy!

Answer 4

We tried all the different stuff at all the different places.

We ended up at the pool store again with the right chemicals. Yes, it is a little more $, but it does the job & we don't have to keep buying something else because the ph gets out of wack.

We decided that since they're in this specialty business they know what they're doing with the chems. The other stores like lowes, home depot, walmart don't even have anyone knowledgeable to talk to you about them.

Answer 5

The chemicals sold at wal-mart are fine to use in regular above ground pools. You just have to make sure to look at the active ingredient percentages and match them up to the active ingredient percentage on the bottle of the chemical that you've been using. Pay special attention to your Chlorine shock and tablets, and your algaecide. What you don't have at wal-mart would be the free water testing and instructions on how to care for the water.

Answer 6

it's all chemicals.

If you compare a list of chemicals in what you need from the pool store vs what is at Wal-mart, etc, you can find out if they are the same chemicals and strengths.

i imagine they are the same.

Why don't you buy the pool tester set from the Swimming pool place. When you test the pool, you will know you can rely on the answer, no matter whose chemicals you use

Answer 7

You can find the same chemical as the pool store at hardware and Walmart stores. Just read the lable, and it will tell you the concentration of the active ingredient. If you're talking about chlorine it will tell you the percent active chlorine. If you're talking about sodium bicarbonate, it will give you the concentration.

I personally buy my chlorine tablets at the pool store, because I buy 50 pound drums. My pool shock I buy by the pound so I get it at Walmart or the hardware store.

As for Muriatic Acid....the pool store is the only place that sells it in my town. I've never seen it at Walmart....it's too dangerous form them to keep it in their store.

Answer 8

I struggled with green cloudy water from pollen. 4 lbs of Walmart shock didn't phase it. The shock from the pool store cleared it up! I'll used the chemicals from Walmart to maintain, such as the 3" blocks of chlorine, but any chemicals to get the water where it needs to be will come from the pool store.

Answer 9

I don't know much about pools, except I have one. Mine is inground, but I'm sure it's all the same. I use the huge bucket of tabs they sell at Wal-mart. My pool is always clear and clean. My hair hasn't turned green and my dog and kids are healthy. That's all I know.

Answer 10

kiddie pool is the same as an above ground one, just bigger. full of sh*it and just looking to make a buck the easy way. my neighbor has the same deal but he said screw it and bought the "regular" stuff. works fine and cheaper too. He has small kids so I don't think he would do it if it wasn't safe.