The formula you’ll use to measure your pool will differ based on the shape of your pool. For a rectangular pool, you’ll use the following formula to find the size in gallons: length x width x depth x 7.5. If the depth changes from one end of your pool to the other, take the average by finding the depth at the deepest and most shallow points and dividing that number by two. Circular and oval pools require different, more complicated formulas, which can be found in this article.

A swimming pool pump has to have water in it to run properly. If the pump isn’t primed and tries to run when it’s dry, the components will overheat which can cause the pump to seize up and can even damage the PVC pipes that carry the water into and out of it. Essentially, running a pump that isn’t primed can lead to having to replace the entire pump.

Yes, it’s possible to put too much salt in your saltwater pool, and doing so can cause a number of problems, including corroding metal parts and causing the chlorinator to stop working correctly. In general, slightly elevated salt levels won’t cause serious problems beyond salty-tasting water, but you should dilute the water in a pool with extremely high salt levels to prevent damage to its components.

Generally speaking, you should expect to wait 24 to 48 hours after filling a pool before you use it. However, the actual timeline depends on a few factors. Most importantly, you need to shock the water with chlorine or an alternative to swimming pool chlorine and let the concentration come down to a safe level before using the pool. Additionally, most water sources will be cold, and it can take days before the sun or your pool heater warms your water to a comfortable temperature. Alternatively, getting water professionally delivered could have you swimming in just a few hours.