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Pool chemical levels should include a pH between 7.4 and 7.6, alkalinity between 80 to 120 ppm, and chlorine from 1 to 3 ppm. The size and type of your pool determine additional chemical levels, such as stabilizers and pool shock, but you can get to know these numbers using our pool maintenance 101 guide.

An above-ground pool with a deck can increase your home's value by as much as 4% to 7%, but it depends on your local climate, potential buyers, and the size and condition of your pool. Some buyers see a pool as a liability instead of a luxury, especially if it's at the end of its life span. In general, it's best to add a pool and deck to your property if it will bring you enjoyment—not because it raises the value of your home.

If you put too much baking soda in your pool, your alkalinity will rise. That means you’ll need to take steps to lower your alkalinity. You can either add more water (which will require more chemicals because they’ll be diluted), wait for the alkalinity to lower naturally, or use a chemical like muriatic acid to lower it. 

The life expectancy of a stock tank pool depends on the level of maintenance that you put into it, but it typically lasts for 10 years or more with regular maintenance and repairs. Regularly testing the water and adjusting the chemical levels, using a chlorine float instead of tablets that can end up on the floor of the pool, lining the pool, cleaning the stock tank, and managing any rust immediately will help extend the life of the pool.