CUSTOMER GUIDE

Protect your new Fibreglaze pool finish

Your guide to the first fill, start-up, water balance and routine maintenance for a pool finished with the Fibreglaze Enduratec system.
Fill · Test · Balance · Maintain
Pool handover and care

Why water balance & routine care matter

Many pool problems that appear after resurfacing are caused by water chemistry, source-water contamination or equipment performance rather than the Fibreglaze lining itself. Following this guide helps reduce staining, scaling, cloudy water, algae, odour, irritation and unnecessary equipment strain.

Common Problems

Chlorine or pH levels that are consistently too high

Heavy metals, including copper and iron, entering the water

Low-quality salt containing unwanted additives or impurities

Filling or topping up with untreated bore water

Pumps, filters or chlorinators that are undersized, poorly maintained or not operating correctly

DIY chemical dosing without reliable testing or professional advice

Read before the first fill

Filling your pool with water

Begin filling on the same day your pool resurfacing is complete unless Fibreglaze has instructed otherwise. Once filling starts, keep it running continuously until the water reaches mid-skimmer level.

If your written handover or equipment instructions differ from this page, follow the project-specific direction and contact Fibreglaze before adding start-up chemicals.

Fill the same day

Begin filling once resurfacing is complete unless Fibreglaze has instructed otherwise.

Do not interrupt

Fill continuously until the water reaches mid-skimmer level.

Before chemicals

If anything is unclear or conflicts with the Start-Up below, obtain advice before dosing.

Initial start-up

Start-up, in the right order

Complete the steps in sequence and keep the system circulating. The final timing can vary with filling time and the instructions given for the specific pool.

01

Fill without interruption

Fill continuously to mid-skimmer level. If a sand filter requires backwashing, fill to approximately three-quarters of the skimmer throat first, then backwash before adding any chemicals.

02

Start circulation

Confirm the filtration equipment is correctly connected and configured. Start the pump and maintain continuous circulation for at least 24 hours before making fine chemical adjustments or adding salt.

03

Test and balance

Have the water, including its salinity, independently tested by a reputable pool shop. Ask them to calculate the salt required using the measured salinity, pool volume and chlorinator target.

04

Choose the salt carefully

Use refined, high-purity pool salt recommended by a reputable pool professional and suitable for the installed chlorinator. Do not select salt based only on price or a “pool salt” label.

05

Add the salt correctly

Unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise, keep filtration operating and switch the chlorinator off. Distribute the calculated salt around the shallow end or pool perimeter—never through the skimmer.

06

Brush & dissolve completely

Brush immediately and keep the water circulating until all salt crystals have dissolved. Never leave undissolved salt on the pool surface. Brush the surface, then vacuum if required.

07

Circulate, re-test and balance

Continue circulation for a further 24 hours, then re-test the salinity and water balance. Make adjustments from measured results and restart the chlorinator only after the salt has dissolved.

08

Extra treatments only if needed

Use shock, algaecide or stain treatments only after professional advice confirms they are needed. Check product and chlorine-level compatibility with the finish, calculate the dose and follow the label.

09

Ongoing Care

Have filtration and chlorinator schedules set for your pool and swimming demand. Check your water weekly with pool test strips, and have a complete water-balance test at a reputable pool shop each month.

Before adding salt

Protect the finished surface

Unsuitable salt may contain impurities or additives that contribute to discolouration or staining and may be difficult to remove. Have the water, including its current salinity, independently tested by a reputable pool shop. Do not add salt from a controller warning alone. Refer to the above guidance for more information.

Need water-testing or dosing advice? Contact your local pool shop.

Test before you dose

Water balance and operating targets

Use the confirmed settings for your pool. The working ranges below are starting guidance for domestic pool care; they must suit the installed finish, equipment and water. A pool professional should assess the results together before recommending adjustments.

ParameterWorking guidanceWhat to check
pH7.2–7.6Keep within the confirmed finish-compatible range. Use a measured dose of the appropriate pH product and follow its label.
Total alkalinity80–120 ppm
Working guide
Your pool professional may adjust the target for the sanitiser, pH behaviour and overall water balance. Re-test after adjustments.
Calcium hardness150–250 ppm
Provisional working guide
Test calcium hardness, not total hardness. Confirm the target against the equipment and overall scale balance; do not add calcium from a total-hardness result alone.
Free chlorine1.0-3.0 ppmSet a routine target that provides adequate sanitation for the stabiliser level, temperature and demand. Exceeding 5.0 ppm for extended periods can damage fibreglass pools.
Salinity
Salt-chlorinated pools only
3,500-4,500 ppmTest before adding. Follow the chlorinator manufacturer's specification if it differs. Purchase refined, high-purity pool salt from a reputable pool professional. Brush and circulate until every crystal has dissolved. See the salt checklist above.
Cyanuric acid
Stabiliser
Typically 30–50 ppm
Outdoor chlorine pools
Aim towards 30 ppm unless the approved equipment or treatment plan requires a different setting. Increasing stabiliser changes chlorine requirements. Stabiliser is generally not recommended for indoor pools or spas; obtain system-specific advice.

Dosing and units: ppm is equivalent to mg/L in these water tests. Use the measured result, pool volume, required change and actual product strength to calculate the dose, following the label. Have your pool professional confirm calcium and alkalinity targets before adding adjustment products.

Ready to swim

Wait until the water is clear and correctly balanced

Normal pool use may begin only after the water is clear, the relevant test results are within range, and any chemical product-label re-entry time or professional direction has been satisfied.

Protect your new finish

Preventing stains and damage

The current handover guide identifies the following conditions as capable of damaging the fibreglass lining. When unsure, stop adding products and seek advice.

Before contacting Fibreglaze about a finish concern arrange a complete water test and record the results for free chlorine, combined chlorine, pH, alkalinity, stabiliser, salt, hardness, phosphates, metals and LSI. Also note the pump, filter and chlorinator model, settings and any recent chemicals added. This information helps identify the cause quickly and accurately.

Practices to avoid

Repeated dosing without current test results or leaving know imbalances unresolved

Chlorine or pH levels that are consistently too high

Draining the pool or allowing the level to fall below one-quarter of the skimmer throat without pool-specific professional direction.

Leaving solid products resting on the pool floor or finished surface

Filling or topping up with bore water unless it has been professionally tested and treated.

Heavy metals, including copper and iron, entering the water

Low-quality salt containing unwanted additives or impurities

Routine water care

Find a local pool shop

For routine water testing, chemical dosing and equipment advice, use a reputable local pool shop. Enter your address or suburb to see up to three nearby matching businesses, ranked by distance by Google Maps.

Select an address or suburb, then choose Find nearby pool shops.

Results are supplied by Google Maps and are not a recommendation, endorsement or guarantee by Fibreglaze. Confirm that the business provides water testing and advice suitable for fibreglass pools.

Your search is sent to Google to provide address suggestions and nearby results. Fibreglaze does not save the address entered in this locator.

When to contact Fibreglaze: If you have a concern about the resurfaced finish, or pool-shop advice conflicts with your written project-specific handover, contact Fibreglaze before dosing.

Need help?

Unsure what to add? Stop and ask.

Stop adding chemicals and seek advice from a qualified pool professional, a reputable pool shop or Fibreglaze. Have the latest water-test results and the product labels handy.

Important

General handover guidance

This page is for pools finished with the Fibreglaze Enduratec system. Written instructions issued for the specific project, chemical product labels, equipment manufacturer directions and the controlling warranty terms take precedence.

If the guidance appears inconsistent or the pool is not responding as expected, obtain advice before continuing.

Need help with your pool?

Send us a few photos and our team can help identify the likely issue and the most suitable next step.

Servicing QLD and NSW