Pools don’t fail just from age or weather; they fail when chemistry, circulation, and surface type don’t match. We dig into the real-world differences between vinyl, fiberglass, plaster, and pebble finishes, showing how each material changes your approach to water balance, sanitizer levels, and maintenance. From ground prep that keeps nutgrass from piercing vinyl to the warranty risks of using trichlor tablets with fiberglass, we share the practical moves that help surfaces last and water stay clear.

We talk through why vinyl and fiberglass often hold pH more steadily than plaster, and how colored plaster’s mottling can be an installation issue, not a chemistry fix. For pebble and exposed aggregate pools, we explain why texture invites calcium scale and algae, how diamond polishing reduces crevices, and why circulation time and brushing frequency matter more than quick, short filter cycles. If your above‑ground kit shipped with a tiny filter, a weak pump, and no timer, you’ll learn why upgrading equipment is the fastest path to clarity and chemical efficiency.

Our central takeaway: set free chlorine based on cyanuric acid, not a fixed chart. Aiming at 7.5 percent of CYA offers reliable algae control even in high‑stabilizer water, and adding borates to 50 ppm makes it harder for algae to start in the first place. Pair this with thoughtful calcium targets—lower for vinyl and fiberglass, higher for plaster—plus consistent pH control and solid circulation, and you’ll prevent stains, scale, and blooms before they begin. 

• Prep and support for vinyl liners, including nutgrass control
• Why acid damages vinyl color and trichlor tablets stain fiberglass
• How vinyl and fiberglass differ from plaster in pH and alkalinity behavior
• Target calcium levels: lower for vinyl and fiberglass, higher for plaster
• Undersized equipment in above‑ground kits and smart upgrades
• Pebble challenges with calcium and algae and how polishing helps
• Circulation time, brushing and robotic cleaners to stop footholds
• Chlorine as 7.5 percent of

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