If you’ve ever finished a swim with red eyes, dry skin, and that unmistakable chlorine smell clinging to your hair, you already know the downside of traditional pool chemistry. Most pools rely on chlorine to do every job at once: sanitize, oxidize, and keep contaminants in check. That’s a lot to ask of one chemical, and it shows.
A Cleaner Pool with Less Chlorine? Here’s How.
The Nature’s Pure OZ3 Natural Oxidation System changes the math. By continuously injecting ozone (O₃) into your pool water, it handles the heavy oxidation work that chlorine usually shoulders alone. The result is hypoallergenic, low-chlorine water that’s gentler on swimmers, gentler on equipment, and dramatically easier to maintain.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to run your OZ3 system from pool opening to pool closing, plus how to troubleshoot the two most common issues.
What Is Ozone, and Why Does It Work So Well?
Ozone is a powerful oxidizer and disinfectant. When the OZ3 system generates and injects it into your pool, it actively breaks down organic matter, bacteria, viruses, sunscreen residue, sweat, and other contaminants that make pool water cloudy and uncomfortable.
There’s one important catch. Ozone is not a residual sanitizer, meaning it doesn’t linger in the water the way chlorine does. You still need a small amount of chlorine in the system as a backup sanitizer, but the OZ3 lets you run on a fraction of what traditional pools require. Less chlorine in the water means less chlorine smell, less skin and eye irritation, and longer-lasting pool surfaces and equipment.
Pool Opening: Getting Your Season Started Right
Before You Begin
Stop by any Galaxy showroom for a free water sample analysis from one of our water care specialists. While you’re at it, check that all your pool equipment is in good working order, remove any debris from the pool, and vacuum thoroughly. If this is your second swim season (or beyond), backwash your sand filter or replace your filter cartridge before you start adding chemicals.
Step 1: Test and Balance Your Water
Your target ranges at opening are:
- Alkalinity: 50 to 90 ppm
- pH: 7.2 to 7.8
- Calcium Hardness: 100 to 400 ppm
- Borate: 30 to 50 ppm
A quick note on borate: it stabilizes pH levels so you don’t have to adjust them as often, makes your other chemicals work harder, and helps suppress algae growth. It’s one of the most underrated additions to a low-chlorine pool.
Step 2: Run Your Filter
Run your pump and filter continuously for the first 24 hours. For the rest of the swim season, we recommend running your filter 24 hours a day. Continuous circulation distributes chemicals evenly, keeps your water consistently clear, and ultimately reduces how much chemical you need to add throughout the year.
Step 3: Add Your Opening Chemicals
Per 10,000 gallons of pool water, add:
- 2 lbs of Galaxy Oxidizing Shock (apply at night so UV doesn’t degrade it)
- 2 qts of Nature’s Pure Peroxide
- 16 oz of Combat Extra Algaecide
- 20 lbs of Nature’s Pure Borate, broadcast across the entire pool surface and brushed off the bottom if any settles
Not sure how many gallons your pool holds? Check our [Pool Volume Glossary] before you start adding.
After dosing, expect to wait 12 to 24 hours before swimming. Test your chlorine before you get in. Safe swimming levels sit between 2 and 5 ppm.
Step 4: Re-Test and Clean Your Filter
Let the filter run another 2 hours after dosing. Borate tends to push pH upward, so use Galaxy pH Minus to bring it back into range. Finally, clean your cartridge filter or backwash your sand filter using AHH!Some Hot Tub, Swim Spa, and Pool Filter Cleaner.
Weekly Maintenance: 15 Minutes a Week
Once your pool is open and balanced, weekly upkeep is straightforward.
Test First
Use OZ3 4-in-1 Test Strips to check peroxide, pH, total alkalinity, and water hardness. The whole test takes about 30 seconds.
Then Dose
Per 10,000 gallons, add:
- 2 lbs of Galaxy Oxidizing Shock at night (safe to swim 15 minutes later)
- 1 qt of Nature’s Pure Peroxide
- 4 oz of Combat Extra Algaecide
- 2 lbs of Nature’s Pure Borate
Pro tip: Swap Galaxy Oxidizing Shock for Nature’s Pure Lemon Oxidizing Shock if you want a formulation built specifically for oxygen systems. Same dosage, same swim-ready timing, and the fresh lemon scent doubles as a mosquito repellent. Worth it for backyard pools in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas summers.
Pool Closing: End-of-Season Care
Step 1: Balance Your Water
Hit the same targets you used at opening:
- Alkalinity: 50 to 90 ppm
- pH: 7.2 to 7.8
- Calcium Hardness: 100 to 400 ppm
- Borate: 30 to 50 ppm
Step 2: Run Your Filter
Run continuously for 24 hours.
Step 3: Add Your Closing Chemicals
Per 10,000 gallons:
- 2 lbs of Galaxy Oxidizing Shock (at night)
- 2 qts of Nature’s Pure Peroxide
- 8 oz of Combat Extra Algaecide
Step 4: Filter Again
Run your filter for another continuous 24 hours after dosing. This circulates your closing chemicals fully and sets your water up to stay stable through the off-season.
Troubleshooting: Cloudy or Green Water
Cloudy or green water happens, especially after a heavy storm or a long stretch of heat. Here’s how to clear it.
- Add 2 qts of Nature’s Pure Peroxide per 10,000 gallons with the filter running. Brush the pool thoroughly.
- Wait 24 to 72 hours. If the water is still green, add 2 lbs of Galaxy Sanitizing Granular per 10,000 gallons and run the filter continuously for another 24 to 48 hours.
- Once the water is clear, wait 48 to 72 hours before resuming Nature’s Pure Peroxide.
Most pools clear up within 2 to 3 days. If yours doesn’t, bring a water sample to your nearest Galaxy showroom for a free professional test.
Why the wait between peroxide and chlorine? They cancel each other out. When the two meet, they neutralize each other’s sanitizing power and can create unwanted byproducts that wear down your equipment. Always separate them by the recommended window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OZ3 system completely chlorine-free?
No, and that’s by design. Ozone is a powerful oxidizer but not a residual sanitizer, so a small amount of chlorine stays in the water as a backup. The OZ3 system lets you run on dramatically less chlorine than a traditional pool, which is what makes the water gentler on skin, eyes, and swimsuits.
How often do I need to add chemicals with an OZ3 system?
Weekly. The OZ3 handles the bulk of oxidation continuously, but you still add shock, peroxide, algaecide, and borate once a week to maintain balance.
Can I use any pool chemicals with the OZ3 system?
We recommend sticking with Galaxy and Nature’s Pure products. They’re formulated specifically for the OZ3 and Mineral Ionizer systems, which means dosing predictably and avoiding the chemical interactions that cause cloudy water or equipment wear.
Why do I need to add chemicals at night?
UV from sunlight degrades oxidizing shock before it can do its job. Adding it at night gives the chemical time to work through your water without sunlight breaking it down.
Is the OZ3 system safe for kids and people with sensitive skin?
Yes. The hypoallergenic, low-chlorine water is one of the main reasons families with young kids or chlorine-sensitive swimmers choose this system.
How much does an OZ3 system save me on chemicals?
Savings vary by pool size and usage, but most owners use a fraction of the chlorine they would on a traditional system. Stop by a Galaxy showroom for a personalized estimate based on your pool.
Your Easy Path to Cleaner, Safer Water
The OZ3 system rewards consistency. Test weekly, dose to your pool’s gallon size, separate your peroxide and chlorine, and you’ll have clear, hypoallergenic water all season with a fraction of the maintenance headaches.
Want to see exactly which products you need for your pool? Visit your nearest Galaxy showroom for a free water test and to shop for everything mentioned in this guide.
