Your Starter & Spring Bundle Guide
Just filled a new pool, or just opened it for the season? Whether your box says Starter Bundle or Spring Bundle, the contents and the steps are the same. This guide covers your Water TechniX kit: what's in the box, what each chemical does, and exactly what to do first.
๐ Quick Reference Card (tap to expand) Dosing & targets
๐ฏ Target Ranges
| Free Chlorine | 1.0 to 3.0 ppm |
| pH | 7.2 to 7.6 |
| Total Alkalinity | 80 to 120 ppm |
| Calcium Hardness | 150 to 250 (fibreglass) 200 to 400 (concrete) |
| Stabiliser (CYA) | 30 to 50 ppm |
โ๏ธ Quick Dosing (per 10,000L)
| Alkalinity Up | ~180g raises 10 ppm |
| pH Down | ~60g lowers ~0.1 pH |
| Calcium Up | ~15g raises 10 ppm |
| Stabiliser | ~100g raises 10 ppm |
| Chlorine (Dichlor) | ~40g raises 1 ppm |
Always confirm with product label. Use our free calculator for exact doses.
๐ What's in Your Bundle
Your Water TechniX Starter & Spring Bundle contains 7 items. Whether you're setting up a brand-new pool or waking up a winterized one, this kit has everything you need for balanced, clear, swim-safe water. Plus free test strips with your first order.
Pool Basics 101
The four things every pool owner should understand. Master these and you'll never feel lost. Returning after winter? This is your quick refresher.
๐งช A. Water balance: the key readings that matter
Your pool has three key readings you care about every week: chlorine (sanitises and kills bacteria), pH (comfort and chlorine efficiency), and alkalinity (stability, it stops pH from swinging).
Test weekly with your free strips. Dose from your bundle as needed.
Everything else, like calcium and stabiliser, you check monthly.
๐ง B. Water clarity: why it goes cloudy
Cloudy water usually means one of two things.
Your chemistry is off. Fix this with the chemicals in your bundle.
Your filter isn't catching fine particles. Fix this with clarifier.
Your bundle's Clarifier 1L handles the second one in a single dose.
If you can't see the bottom, address chemistry first. Then use clarifier.
Run your pump for at least 8 hours a day. Stagnant water goes cloudy fast.
โ Included in your bundle: 1L of Clarifier for cloudy water rescue
๐ง C. Filter and equipment care
Your pump circulates water through your filter. If the pump is off, chemicals sit still and nothing works.
If the filter is dirty, water can't circulate properly.
Rinse your filter cartridge with a hose once a month.
Replace when it looks damaged (usually 12 to 18 months).
For a deeper clean, use a filter cleaner every few months.
๐ Filter Cleaner 500g โ | ๐ Filter Wand โ
๐งน D. Cleaning tools
Chemicals handle the water. Tools handle the physical cleaning.
A leaf net skims the surface, a pool brush scrubs the walls, and a vacuum handles the floor.
Brush walls weekly to prevent algae attachment.
Algae can't grow on surfaces that are regularly brushed.
The all-in-one Handover Kit (sold separately) has everything you need in one bundle.
Whether the water is fresh from the hose or has been sitting all winter, before you add anything, you need to know what it needs. Your free test strips tell you exactly that. Grab one strip and follow these steps:
Dip the strip
Submerge the strip in your pool water (about elbow-deep) for a few seconds. Pull it out. Don't shake off the water.
Wait 15 seconds
Hold the strip horizontal. The pads will change colour. Don't let the pads touch each other.
Compare to the chart
Hold the strip against the colour chart on the bottle. Match the pad colours to the closest shade. Write down your readings for chlorine, pH, alkalinity, stabiliser (CYA), and hardness.
Your target numbers at a glance:
| Reading | Target Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Chlorine | 1.0 to 3.0 ppm | Primary sanitiser. Test weekly and top up as needed. |
| Combined Chlorine | Less than 0.2 ppm | If it creeps above 0.5 ppm, the pool needs shocking (oxi shock or chlorine shock). |
| pH | 7.2 to 7.6 | High pH means chlorine becomes much less effective. Low pH means corrosive water. |
| Total Alkalinity | 80 to 120 ppm | The buffer that stabilises pH. Fix this before adjusting pH. |
| Calcium Hardness | 150 to 250 ppm (fibreglass) 200 to 400 ppm (concrete) |
Too low means water eats your pool surface. Too high means scale on everything. |
| Stabiliser (CYA) | 30 to 50 ppm | Protects chlorine from sun. Too much reduces chlorine effectiveness. Test monthly. |
Balance comes before sanitation. If your pH and alkalinity are wrong, your chlorine won't work properly. This is especially critical for spring openings, where pH and alkalinity have likely drifted over the winter. Fix these four things in this exact order:
How to apply: Pre-dissolve in a bucket of pool water. Pour around the pool edge with the pump running. Never throw granules directly into the pool.
How to apply: Pre-dissolve in a bucket. Pour around the edge with the pump running. Go slow. It's easier to add more than to fix an overshoot. Always dilute where recommended and circulate thoroughly.
โ ๏ธ This chemical gets hot when mixed with water. Use a stirrer or paddle. Never mix with bare hands. Pre-dissolve in a bucket first.
Do not backwash for 48 hours after adding stabiliser (sand filter owners - cartridge filter owners can ignore this note). Stabiliser dissolves slowly over several days. Don't add more until you've retested. Stabiliser doesn't dissipate.
Now that your water is balanced, it's time to establish a clean baseline. If you're opening for spring, the water may have zero chlorine. Add the stabilised chlorine to bring it back up to a safe level. Every pool needs a sanitiser. This is your primary defence against bacteria and viruses.
How to apply: Pre-dissolve in a bucket of pool water. Pour slowly around the pool edge with the pump running. Add in the evening so chlorine works overnight without UV loss. Never throw granules directly into the pool. They can settle and bleach the surface.
Video Walkthrough: Dosing Your Pool (New or Spring)
A 60-second poolside demo is on the way.
In the meantime, follow the steps above.
The final step in your setup. Spring water is often cloudy from winter debris and dead algae. Clarifier helps your filter catch fine particles, while algaecide acts as a barrier to stop new growth as temperatures rise. Both are simple weekly additions.
If water is severely cloudy and you can't see the bottom, you may need floc (sold separately) instead of clarifier. Clarifier is for maintenance. Floc is for severe cloudiness.
๐ก Prevention is far easier than cure. A weekly algaecide dose is your cheapest insurance against a green pool. If your pool does go green, algaecide alone won't fix it. You'll need a chlorine shock treatment and brushing.
Once your water is set up, maintenance is simple and predictable. Here's what to do every week and every month to keep your pool clean, clear, and swim-ready, regardless of whether this is your first season or your fifteenth.
๐ Weekly Checklist
- Test chlorine (target: 1.0 to 3.0 ppm)
- Test pH (target: 7.2 to 7.6)
- Test alkalinity (target: 80 to 120 ppm)
- Empty skimmer basket
- Empty pump basket
- Check chlorinator operation (if salt pool)
- Brush walls and floor
- Vacuum or run cleaner
- Inspect equipment for leaks
- Add algaecide maintenance dose
๐ Monthly Checklist
- Clean filter (rinse cartridge or backwash)
- Inspect chlorinator cell for scale
- Test stabiliser (CYA), target: 30 to 50 ppm
- Test calcium hardness
- Check salt or mineral level (if applicable)
- Inspect O-rings and equipment seals
- Deep clean filter with filter cleaner (every 3 months)
๐งค Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling pool chemicals. Even mild chemicals can irritate skin and eyes.
โ๏ธ Never mix chemicals. Add each chemical separately to the pool, at least 30 minutes apart with the pump running. Mixing chemicals, especially chlorine and acid, produces toxic gas.
๐ง Always add chemicals to water, never water to chemicals. This is especially critical with acid products. Adding water to concentrated chemicals can cause violent reactions. Always dilute where recommended and circulate thoroughly.
๐ฆ Store chemicals separately. Keep chlorine products away from acid products. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep out of reach of children. Keep lids tightly sealed.
๐ Pre-dissolve granular chemicals in a bucket of pool water before adding to the pool. Never throw granules directly into the pool. They can settle on the surface and cause damage. Never add salt directly into the skimmer.
โฑ๏ธ Add chemicals with the pump running to ensure rapid dilution and distribution. Run the pump for at least 2 hours after adding most chemicals.
๐ Test before you treat. Always test your water before adding any chemical. Guessing leads to over-dosing, unbalanced water, and wasted product.
๐ Emergency: Poisons Information 13 11 26. If chemicals contact eyes, rinse thoroughly for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
๐งช New Pool Owner & Spring Opening FAQs
Not at all. This guide walks you through exactly what to do. Most first-timers finish the setup in about 15 minutes. Your bundle comes with step-by-step instructions emailed on delivery. And if you get stuck, our support team is a phone call away at 1300 511 901. Water chemistry looks harder than it is. After a few weeks it becomes routine.
Not really. The chemistry is the same! However, you might find you need to clean out more physical debris (leaves, dirt) from the winter. Your water balance has likely shifted over winter, so don't skip the testing step. Pay close attention to pH and chlorine, as these are usually the furthest from the target after months of being covered. This bundle will bring it right back into line.
For an average 40,000 to 60,000 litre pool used regularly, this bundle covers you for approximately 2 months of balanced water. Larger pools or heavier use will go through it faster. Smaller pools will get even more mileage. The chlorine and algaecide are typically the first items to run out. Reorder those as needed. Stabiliser and calcium last much longer as they don't need frequent topping up.
- Alkalinity Up first. It's your foundation and stabilises pH.
- pH Down if needed.
- Calcium Up if needed.
- Stabiliser if needed.
- Chlorine last. Sanitation comes after balance.
- Clarifier and Algaecide as weekly maintenance.
Always wait at least 30 minutes between each chemical with the pump running. Test before you add anything. Don't guess.
Used correctly, no. This bundle is formulated for all pool types and surfaces including concrete, fibreglass, vinyl, saltwater, and chlorine pools. The key is to always pre-dissolve granular chemicals in a bucket of water before adding them to the pool. Never throw granules directly onto the pool surface. This can cause localised bleaching or staining. Follow the dosage instructions and you won't have a problem. All products are Australian made and safe when used as directed.
For most balancing chemicals (alkalinity, pH, calcium), wait 2 to 4 hours with the pump running. For chlorine, wait until the level is 1.0 to 3.0 ppm. Test before swimming. For clarifier and algaecide, check the product label (most allow swimming shortly after). As a rule of thumb: if you've just added chlorine, wait 4 hours and test before getting in. When in doubt, test first.
A green pool means algae has taken hold. Algaecide alone won't fix an active algae bloom. You'll need to shock the pool with a high dose of chlorine. Brush the walls and floor vigorously (this breaks up the algae so chlorine can reach it), shock the pool with chlorine, run the pump continuously for 24 to 48 hours, and the green will clear. Prevention with weekly algaecide is far easier than the cure. If algae problems persist, check your phosphate levels. Phosphates are algae food and may need a phosphate remover.
Yes, with one caveat. Salt pools produce their own chlorine, so you may not need the stabilised chlorine in this bundle for daily sanitation. However, the balancing chemicals (alkalinity up, pH down, calcium up, stabiliser, clarifier, and algaecide) are all compatible and essential for salt pools.
Your bundle's Stabilised Chlorine (Dichlor) is safe for salt pools - use it as backup or for shock treatments. Just avoid calcium hypochlorite (cal-hypo) if you're buying chlorine from anywhere else - it will damage your salt cell. Liquid chlorine is the safe alternative if you need unstabilised chlorine.
If you have a magnesium or mineral pool, the same advice applies. These chemicals are all compatible.
๐ฑ 1300 511 901 | โ๏ธ support@mrpoolman.com.au
๐งช Running low? We've got you covered.
Your Starter Bundle covers the first few months of the season. When you're ready to reorder, grab your next round here. Free shipping, 30-day money back, no subscription.
ยฉ Mr Pool Man. Starter Bundle Guide. Always read product labels and test water before adding chemicals. Store chemicals safely out of reach of children.