Swimming Pool Total Alkalinity
by Joseph
I have a 16x48 new Intex pool (from Target). I have a Hayward S180T92S sand filter and I have that connected to a Intex Klear Water Salt Water pump. Chlorine: 10ppm pH Level: Little above 8.5 Total Alkalinity: 0 So I think I need to raise my TA with Sodium Bicarbonate? Anything else? Thanks, Joseph Thanks for your question Joseph Your pool chlorine seems a bit high but should come down with the sun, heat, and normal use. Be sure to keep your cyanuric acid (CYA) between 20ppm - 40ppm and your chlorine between 1.5ppm - 3.5ppm. Adjust Your Swimming Pool Chlorine..Chemistry..Salt Water Maintenance..Inground Remember the pH levels and total alkalinity are opposite sides of the same coin. When you add sodium bicarbonate to raise one side, the other might be affected, so here's what you can do. Our fill water has a high pH level of 8.2ppm and TA of 30ppm. When I find I need to lower the pH and raise the alkalinity, I first adjust the pool pH level using muriatic acid. You can go to this link to learn the best way to do that. Swimming Pool pH Levels..Chemistry..Alkalinity..Water..Care If you over-shoot a bit and the pH level is 7.2ppm, don't sweat it. It should come up on it's own, especially if you use the pool much and the fill water already has a high pH level. Once the swimming pool pH level is between 7.6ppm - 7.8ppm, then it's time to raise the TA. Swimming Pool Alkalinity..Adjusting Your Pool Chemistry..Water Balance Just keep going back and forth from the pool pH to the TA until you reach the goal of the TA between 80ppm - 100ppm and the swimming pool pH between 7.6ppm - 7.8ppm. At the YMCA I don't have alot of time to make big corrections, so the corrections I do make need to be quick, fast, and in a hurry because the pool can't be shut down for long periods while adjustments are being made. The above techniques work very well and will work for you, Joseph, just fine. Have a great Summer Robert |
