Pool Supplies
Essential chemicals and equipment for balanced pool water chemistry.
Recommended products for every calculator on this site.
Use our free calculators to determine exact amounts needed for your pool.
On this page: Disclosure · Testing equipment · Pool chemicals · Maintenance tools · Starter kits · FAQ
Pool supplies FAQs
What pool supplies do I need for basic maintenance?
Essential pool supplies include: test strips or test kit (weekly testing), chlorine or shock (sanitizer), pH increaser and decreaser (water balance), alkalinity increaser (pH stability), pool brush and skimmer net (debris removal). Use our calculators to determine exact amounts needed for your pool size.
Are these affiliate links?
Yes. Product links on this page are affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our free calculators and allows us to keep the site running without charging for access.
Do I have to buy through these links?
No. Our calculators are completely free regardless of where you buy supplies. These are recommendations for products commonly needed for the calculations we provide. You can buy at your local pool store, big box retailer, or anywhere else you prefer.
What's the difference between pool chlorine types?
Liquid chlorine is cheapest ($3-5/gallon) and fast-acting but requires weekly additions. Chlorine tablets are convenient (slow-release in floater or automatic feeder) but add stabilizer over time, requiring periodic draining. Granular chlorine (cal-hypo) is good for shock treatment but can cloud water temporarily. Salt systems produce chlorine automatically but require $1,000-2,500 upfront equipment investment.
How much do pool chemicals cost per year?
Average annual costs for a 20,000 gallon pool: $300-600 for traditional chlorine pools, $150-300 for saltwater pools. Use our Chemical Cost Calculator to estimate expenses for your specific pool size and usage.
Can I use grocery store products instead of pool chemicals?
Sometimes. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is identical to pool alkalinity increaser and much cheaper at grocery stores. Bleach is similar to liquid chlorine but verify it's unscented and 6-8% sodium hypochlorite. Muriatic acid from hardware stores works for pools. However, avoid table salt (use pool-grade salt), avoid iodized products, and never use products with additives or fragrances.