Tag Archives: swimming pool chemicals

Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Opening

Pool Chemical Balance Chart: Maintain Crystal Clear Water with Ease

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Want to swim in water that feels fresh and looks crystal clear? It all starts with keeping your pool chemicals in check.

Use our balanced water chart to make sure your pool has the right levels of:

  • pH
  • Alkalinity
  • Calcium Hardness
  • Stabilizer (CYA)

If something’s off, don’t worry – just use the right pool chemicals to fix it.  A well-balanced pool means fewer problems and more fun in the sun!

CHEMICAL IDEAL LEVEL TO RAISE TO LOWER
Chlorine 2.0 Shock the p

ool

 Turn the chlorinator down
pH 7.4   Summer7.8   Winter Add soda ash *Add muriatic acid (diluted)
Total Alkalinity 80-100 ppm Add baking soda(Sodium Bicarbonate) **Add muriatic acid
Calcium hardness 250-500 ppm Add calcium chloride Drain the pool and refill
Stabilizer 20-50 ppm Add Cyanuric Acid Drain the pool and refill

* Add acid by spreading it around the pool or pouring it into the pool in front of the return jet. The pool should be running when doing this, so the acid spreads throughout the pool as rapidly as possible.

** Pour acid into a 3-5 foot circle in the deepest part of the pool while the pump is off.  Allow to set for at least 20 minutes before turning the pump on.

Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Opening

Cheat Sheet for Ideal Pool Chemical Levels

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Pool season is close! Most pool owners know how to chlorinate their pool or treat for algae if needed at opening. Balancing the other key elements in your pool chemistry, such as pH, stabilizer, calcium hardness, and total alkalinity levels, can be more confusing. Here are the instructions that you need to make sure that your pool water is sparkling clear. Testing and correcting your pool water at home has never been easier.

  • If your total alkalinity is low, you will need to add sodium bicarbonate to your water to get it to the ideal range of 80-100 ppm. You can find complete sodium bicarbonate dosage instructions here.
  • If your total alkalinity is high, you will need to add muriatic acid to lower your alkalinity to the idea range of 80-100 ppm. You can find muriatic acid dosage instructions here.
  • If you need to raise the pH level in your pool water, you need to add sodium carbonate (soda ash). Here are complete instructions for raising your pool’s pH with sodium carbonate.
  • If you need to lower the pH level in your pool water, you will use the same muriatic acid mentioned for lowering your total alkalinity, but in different dosage amounts. Here are the complete instructions for muriatic acid dosage when trying to lower pH.
  • To raise the stabilizer level in your pool, you will need to add Cyanuric Acid in the dosages recommended in these instructions: cyanuric acid dosage chart. If the stabilizer level is too high, you must drain and refill the pool. There is no chemical corrector.
  • To raise the calcium hardness in your pool, add calcium chloride. You can find the exact calcium chloride dosage here. If your calcium hardness level is too high, you must drain and refill the pool. There is no chemical corrector for this problem.