Pool pH

Muriatic acid, Sodium Bicarbonate (which is also an alkalinity increaser), and one of the good pool water test kits, can help with your swimming pool chemical maintenance.

This is true for saltwater pools as well and will help reduce any cloudy pool water.

Swimming Pool pH Level Problems

You can purchase these items right here at the pool supply store for a wonderful selection.

When your swimming pool pH level is 5.5, the pool chlorine is 100% effective. At around 7.2-7.4 the chlorine is about 50% effective. At a higher pH level of 8.0-8.2 and above the chlorine effectiveness drops to 25%.

By keeping your level between 7.8-8.2ppm, you’re actually wasting almost 75% of your chlorine! On the flip side, at 7.2ppm, you'll use too much pool acid, but the chlorine is a bit more effective.

The level will naturally rise through the result of bather load, splashing around, (sweat, urine, spit, grass clippings, bugs, shocking, high pH of fill water, virtually any organic matter).

When a swimming pool is unbalanced, out of control, and doesn't have the proper pool water chemistry, it can be the most frustrating time for a pool owner.

This is very simple. Keep it between 7.6-7.8ppm. At this level, the chlorine is still effective but you don't have add as much pool acid or pH minus for the swimming pool perfect for you.

Beautiful Custom Built Swimming Pool

If your fill water is already a bit high (7.8-8.2ppm), count your blessings. Just a little pool acid or pH minus (maybe ½ gallon or even less) will bring your level down. Take care in adding any pH minus or pool acid at pool start up (opening pool) and to decrease any swimming pool stains.

If your fill water is reading 7.2ppm, great!! Allow your swimming pool pH level it to come up naturally and make small adjustments only when needed. Use a little Sodium Bicarb. (which is also an alkalinity increaser) or another kind of pH up.

Don’t “manhandle” your swimming pool chemistry. A gallon of pool acid. Then 5lbs. of Sodium Bicarbonate or a pH increaser to bring the pH back up. The next day more pool acid to bring down, then more bicarbonate brings it up, and on and on.

Bad for the water, the pool plaster, and might increase your chances of cloudy swimming pool water, green pool water, blue-green algae, and poor swimming pool water chemistry.

This is also true for a salt water pool system that use salt water generators which produces hypochlorous acid.

Your pool is smart and will tell you exactly what it needs if you’re in tune with it. By following this advice on swimming pool water chemistry and care, you're on your way to being the envy of the neighborhood.

There are also ways to conserve water and pool chemicals. One of the best and cheapest is a solar swimming pool cover. It decreases evaporation and pool chemical use. There are also many programs about water conservation for kids that you might be interested in.

Remember: Just tiny corrections are needed once the proper balance has been established.

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Swimming Pool Chemistry From Pool pH
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pH
Alkalinity
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