In The Swim Pool Basic Opening Chemical Kit Review – Worth It?

Getting a pool ready after winter can be a headache, but the In The Swim Pool Start Up Kit made the process a lot smoother for us. We tried it on our above-ground pool, and it actually cleared the water up well, making it safe for swimming.

The kit combines a handful of chemicals that work together to fight algae, clear dirt, and cut down on oils and scum. That blend seemed to do the trick.

The instructions were mostly clear, though we did notice a few details that didn’t quite match up with what we’d read elsewhere. The kit mainly focuses on spring startup and keeping the water balanced early in the season, so you’ll want to keep up with regular maintenance afterward.

If you want a straightforward way to get your pool water ready for the season, the In The Swim kit is a solid pick. It covers the basics and helps avoid some of the usual water problems that pop up early on.

Buy the In The Swim Pool Start Up Kit here

Overview of the In The Swim Pool Basic Opening Chemical Start Up Kit and Spring Pill

We found this kit handy for getting our pool up and running at the start of the season. It combines key chemicals that help clear the water and stop algae in its tracks.

The pool shock cleans and disinfects, while the clarifier helps the filter work better by clumping dirt together. The Spring Pill adds a little extra by breaking down organics and stopping stains and scale from forming.

It also helps control oils and scum, which keeps the water looking fresher for longer. Applying everything correctly took a bit of care, but the kit worked well for our 7,500-gallon pool without needing to buy extra stuff right away.

Key Features

When we tried this pool kit, we noticed it covers a lot in one package. It gets the pool ready at the start of the season and helps keep the water balanced as summer goes on.

Dual-Purpose Seasonal Pool Care

This kit works well for both opening the pool and for ongoing care. We liked that it combines several basic chemicals, so we didn’t have to buy them all separately.

That saved us time and a bit of hassle when opening the pool or just keeping the water decent. It’s meant for pools up to 7,500 gallons, which fits a lot of typical home pools.

The Spring Pill stood out because it tackles several problems at once. It prevents stains and scale, boosts filtration, and helps break down organic matter naturally.

This mix kept our pool water healthier and made cleaning less of a chore.

Powerful Di-Zap Shock Treatment

The shock treatment uses sodium dichlor, a fast-acting sanitizer. We saw it clear up cloudy water and neutralize contaminants that built up during the off-season.

It didn’t make the water too foamy, though we’ve heard some people say that can happen. The shock contains stabilizer, which affects how long chlorine lasts in the pool.

We had to keep an eye on chlorine levels to avoid adding too much stabilizer over time. Still, it made the water safe without adding a bunch of extra steps.

Advanced Clarifier Technology

The clarifier is meant to help your filter perform better. It clumps tiny dirt particles together so the filter can actually catch them.

After using it, our water looked clearer and felt cleaner, way faster than just running the filter alone. The clarifier kept the water sparkling between treatments and played nicely with the other chemicals in the kit.

Regular pool upkeep felt a bit less time-consuming.

Effective Algaecide and Sun Sorb Absorber

Algae prevention was solid with the algaecide in this kit. Using it together with the shock helped keep algae from showing up.

We didn’t see green or cloudy water after using it, which was a relief. The Sun Sorb component also came in handy.

It absorbs oils, grime, and scum that build up from sunscreen, body oils, and debris. This helped cut down on the greasy film that sometimes shows up after a busy pool day.

SpringPill Multi-Action Formula

We found the SpringPill to be a helpful all-in-one product that tackles several pool issues at once. It combines a clarifier with stain and scale inhibitors, which helped reduce water rings and made our pool look cleaner faster.

The enzyme part worked well to break down organic debris, which lightened the load on our filter. Using it felt simple since it treats multiple problems at once instead of adding separate chemicals.

It didn’t remove heavier stains fully, so sometimes we needed extra treatment. The effects are gradual, so patience is key.

Pros:

• Breaks down organics
• Prevents stains and scale
• Helps filter run smoother

Cons:

• Not a quick fix for tough stains
• Works gradually over time

It’s a good add-on for regular upkeep and for boosting sanitizer performance.

Ease of Use and Application

We found the kit pretty straightforward, with most chemicals clearly labeled for each step. The step-by-step instructions helped us apply everything in order and made opening the pool less stressful.

Mixing and adding the chemicals was simple enough, but a few instructions in the package didn’t match what we found online. It’s worth double-checking before you start.

The SpringPill was easy to use and seemed to work well with the other products. One hiccup: the water got a bit foamy at first, which caught us off guard.

Overall, the kit sped up pool prep and made it less of a headache than buying everything separately. It saves time by combining several treatments into one easy process.

Pros and Cons

When we opened our pool for the season, the kit’s strengths and a few weak spots became clear. It’s handy for jump-starting pool care and keeping water clear early on.

Pros

• Effective cleaning: The chemicals cleared up our pool water quickly, even after a rough winter with a torn cover.
• All-in-one set: Having shock, clarifier, algaecide, and other treatments together made things simpler and saved us a trip to the store.
• Water clarity: The clarifier and enzyme mix really boosted filter performance and made the water sparkle.
• Value for money: Compared to buying each chemical separately, this kit was more affordable and didn’t skimp on quality.
• Easy to follow: The instructions generally made it straightforward to use, even if you’re new to pool care.

Cons

• Instruction differences: The paper instructions sometimes didn’t match what we found online, which was confusing.
• Shock stabilizer effect: The included shock has stabilizer, which can raise cyanuric acid levels—so you’ll want to monitor that.
• Foam issues: Sometimes the water foamed after treatment, so we had to rinse or filter a bit more.
• Short duration: The chemicals worked, but we needed heavier maintenance with extra products sooner than we expected in the hot months.

This kit works well for basic pool opening and early maintenance, but you might need to add more care depending on your pool’s needs.

Customer Reviews

We noticed most users appreciated how well the kit cleared up pool water after winter. It usually fixed murky or dirty water quickly when used with regular chlorine tablets.

The instructions are mostly clear, but sometimes they differ between sources, which can cause a bit of confusion. Some users saw the included shock raise certain chemical levels more than expected.

A few people mentioned the water foamed briefly after use. Still, a lot of folks have used this kit for years and found it reliable and easy to follow.

Pros:

• Effective at clearing cloudy or dirty water
• Easy to use with step-by-step guidance
• Good value compared to local pool shops

Cons:

• Instructions can be inconsistent
• Shock may alter chemical balance more than wanted
• Results might need follow-up maintenance after some time

Conclusion

We tried the kit and honestly, it helped us get our pool back in shape after winter. The water looked clearer, and managing it was easier, especially when we used it with a decent filter and some chlorine tablets.

The instructions mostly made sense, but the shock treatment part? That could trip you up if you’re not careful, and you might end up with too many chemicals.

Having all the basic chemicals in one box is definitely convenient. Still, the effects didn’t last as long as we expected, so ongoing maintenance is definitely part of the deal.

If you want to make pool opening simpler, this kit’s a good bet. Just don’t expect it to do all the work—regular upkeep is still key if you want the best results.