Maintaining a clean and healthy pool requires more than just skimming leaves and debris from the surface. Proper pool chemistry is essential to ensure the water is safe and balanced for swimming. Overuse of chemicals can cause damage to the pool equipment and make the water unsafe for swimming. All you have to do is follow the 3 C’s of Pool Care -
1. Circulation
2. Cleaning
3. Chemistry
In this blog, we will take a look at the third C of Pool Care Treatment - Chemistry. This pool care cheat sheet on pool chemistry will elaborate on a few steps to maintaining a balanced pool so you can enjoy your swim time worry-free.
Understand the Basics of Pool Chemistry.
Before diving into pool care, it's important to understand the basics of pool chemistry. The three main components of pool chemistry are pH, chlorine, and alkalinity. pH measures the acidity or basicity of the water, chlorine kills bacteria and other harmful organisms, and alkalinity helps to stabilize the pH levels. By regularly testing and adjusting these levels, you can ensure your pool stays clean and safe for swimming.
A proper pool care routine involves regular monitoring of the water chemistry to ensure that the pool water is balanced and safe for swimming. Here are the key aspects of pool chemistry to consider in your routine:
1. Test Your Pool Water Regularly.
Testing your pool water regularly is crucial to maintaining a healthy and balanced pool. You should test your pool water at least once a week, and more frequently during periods of heavy use or extreme weather conditions. Use Zyax’s 5-in-1 pool testing kit to measure the levels of pH, free & total chlorine, total hardness and alkalinity in your pool water. The strips are easy and safe to use to quickly identify the pool water quality & chemistry. Based on the results, you can adjust the chemical levels accordingly to keep your pool water safe and comfortable for swimming.
2. Adjust pH and Alkalinity Levels.
Once you have tested your pool water and determined the levels of pH and alkalinity, it’s time to make any necessary adjustments. The pH level of your pool water should be maintained between 7.2 and 7.8. If the pH level is too high (above 7.8), the water will be alkaline, which can cause scaling and cloudy water. Add a pH decreaser, such as Pool Maxx pH Down, to lower the pH level. If the pH level is too low (below 7.2), the water will be acidic, which can cause skin and eye irritation. For this, you need to add a pH increaser, such as Pool Maxx pH Up to raise the pH level.
Total alkalinity is a measure of the pool water's ability to resist changes in pH. The ideal total alkalinity range is between 80 and 120 ppm. Thus, if the alkalinity level is too high (above 120 ppm), you need to add an alkalinity decreaser, such as sodium bisulfate, to lower the alkalinity level. If the alkalinity level is too low (below 80 ppm), add an alkalinity increaser, such as sodium bicarbonate, to raise the alkalinity level.
3. Add Chlorine or Other Sanitizers.
Once you have balanced the pH and alkalinity levels, it’s time to add chlorine or other sanitizers to your pool. Chlorine is the most common sanitizer used in pools, and it works by killing bacteria and other harmful organisms in the water. The ideal chlorine level is between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm). You can add chlorine in the form of Chloro Maxx 90 TCCA granules. When it dissolves in water, it releases cyanuric acid which acts as a chlorine stabilizer and hypochlorous acid, which raises the amount of free chlorine in the water. Chloro Maxx pool water treatment granules will ensure that the water is completely clean and hygienic with no chlorine taste or sting.
You can use Pool Maxx Pool Cleaner as a non-toxic replacement for chlorine and other sanitizers. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper amount to add to this pool cleaner which also works as a sanitizer, based on the size of your pool. It’s crucial to maintain a consistent level of this disinfectant in your pool to keep it clean and safe for swimming.
4. Maintain Proper Calcium Hardness and Total Dissolved Solids.
In addition to pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels, monitor and maintain proper levels of calcium hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS) in your pool. Calcium hardness refers to the amount of dissolved calcium in the water, which can affect the water’s ability to balance pH and prevent corrosion or scaling. The ideal range is between 200 and 400 ppm. TDS refers to the total amount of dissolved solids in the water, including minerals, salts, and other contaminants. High TDS levels can lead to cloudy water and other issues. Regularly testing and adjusting these levels can help ensure your pool stays healthy and balanced.
In conclusion, balancing your pool requires some time and effort, but it’s worth it to enjoy a swimming experience. By following this pool care cheat sheet, you will have balanced pool chemistry in no time!
For pool circulation and cleaning, check out the other blogs of this series here.
Need help or further assistance?
Contact our Pool Maxx Pool Care Assistant.