How Long to Run your Pool When you Add Chemicals & How to Set your Timer

In this article I cover how long to run your pool pump when you add chemicals to your pool. Of course the longer you run it the better, but the industry standard is a 3 hour time period with the pump running at standard speed (high speed on a variable speed pump). For optimal results it is best to add chemicals with the pool running.


I also touch on how to set the run time on the pool for a 3 hour period, whether you have a standard mechanical timer or an automated system. Since you will know your swimming pool filter run time it is best to add chemicals when the pool is in it's normal programmed or set time schedule. But that is not always the case and frequently you will need to add chemicals outside of the pool's set run time.

The manufacturers of automated system and of variable speed pumps know this, so they have included a “Time Out” Mode on their automated panels and a 3 hour run time button on their variable speed pumps (Quick Clean) in the case of the Pentair pump shown in this video. So I cover some of the more common automated panels. If you have one outside of the ones in the video you can refer to your owner's manual to see how to put the system in a 3 hour mode.

I have seen some videos on YouTube in which chemicals are added and it is suggested that you brush the area where you added them to “stir them up.” This is really not effective and a waste of energy. Simply adding chemicals when the pool is running or turning on the pool when you add them is the most efficient way to get the chemicals circulating in your pool. Adding chemicals to a pool that is off is less effective and depending on the chemical, say liquid chlorine, the results will be poor.

If you are a pool service professional it is best to get familiar with all of the systems on your route and how to turn them on for the 3 hour mode. On the panels I show you in the video there is a dedicated “Time Out” button. There are exceptions like the Hayward AquaLogic which requires you to press the “Service” button twice to get it to flash and then press the “Pool” button to turn on the pump for 3 hours. The older automation like the Pentair Compool requires you to press the “Pump” button twice – it will flash and go into the 3 hour mode. There are a few more systems out there and some variable speed pumps that I didn't cover for time sake, so you can look that up online or in your owners manual.

It is important to note the “Service” mode button and not to use that on accident. “Service” mode is a 24/7 mode in which the pool's timed run time is effectively turned off. So if you put it in “service” mode with the pump on, it will run 24 hours per day for as many days it takes until you put it back into “Timeout” or “Auto” mode. If the pool pump is off at the time you hit the “Service” mode button it will stay off until you take it out of “Service” mode. So that button should not be used unless there is a problem with the pool and it needs to be left off for a period of time.

I show you the trick I use on the Intermatic timers where I add an extra “OFF” tripper. This is an ideal trick if the pool is running at night only, very early in the morning or later in the evening. This allows you to manually turn on the timer and set it to run for 3 hours without worrying about it running all day and night if you forget to turn it off manually again later.

This will not effect the normal timer run time as the “OFF” tripper prior to the one I add will turn the pool off before it reaches the 2nd “OFF” tripper. The second “OFF” tripper is only effective if the timer is manually turned on after the timed cycle. So the rest of the week you can leave it on the timer and it won't do anything. If you are going to run your pool heater after the normal set time, make sure you remove that extra “OFF” tripper as it will turn off the heater off if is still on the timer dial. Usually this is not an issue at all and I will leave the extra “OFF” tripper on the dial so that I can add chemicals each week to the pool.



So part of balancing your pool water is adding chemicals, and part of making the chemicals effective is running the pool while you are adding chemicals. I hope this video helps make the process clear and easy for you.

Related Playlist:
Timers & Automated Systems:


Outro video links:
Maintain and Service A Swimming Pool: A Step By Step Guide: https://youtu.be/UmHqL2EvG10
Poolman Tips and Tricks: For Pool Service Professionals and DIY Homeowners: https://youtu.be/sUcjLt9Sk8s






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