Your pool water is always at risk. Dark forces seek to destroy it. In order to maintain perfect pool harmony, its water must be balanced.
That means keeping the pH of the water within a range of 7.4 to 7.6, which is just above neutral on the pH scale.
So how do you make sure that happens? Here are three main ingredients in your battle against bacteria.
1. ph
pH level tells you whether your water is too acidic or too basic. But what does that really mean? How does pH affect you?
Think about your eyes. Our tears are pH neutral. When they have a low pH, your eyes burn when you cry like that time when your team lost the big game AGAIN. And if the pH in your eyes was high, they feel painfully dry.
Why is this something you need to keep your eye on? pH is naturally unstable in water because water absorbs so many different things. Rainwater will change it. What about your friends taking a dip? Yep. They affect it. Just about anything that enters the water can affect the pH level.
When pH is low, it means your water is acidic. When it’s high, you water is basic. The proper level for your water is 7.4 to 7.6.
How do you maintain the proper level? Well first you need to buy a container of pH increaser and pH decreaser. Then make sure that you have all the right information about the pH balance and amount of water in your pool.
Now that you know how much pH increaser or decreaser you need to create chemical balance in your pool, add a measured amount directly to the water.
2. Alkalinity
Alkalinity is a pH buffer. That means it helps to prevent drastic changes in the pH level in your pool water as it absorbs everything that’s thrown its way. Alkalinity is your prime time pool defender.
How do you build a solid defense? Good offense. Buy some Sodium Bicarbonate, an alkalinity increaser. Add it directly to your pool water. The proper level to maintain is 100 - 150 ppm.
Make sure to hold onto a hefty supply of alkalinity increaser on hand since this reading can fluctuate. Baking soda will also raise the alkalinity and pH of your pool.
It’s crucial to keep a lockout for your pH and alkalinity levels. Check at least once a week by using a test kit or test strips.
When your pH and alkalinity are low, use alkalinity increaser to raise both. If the pH doesn’t reach 7.4, you might have to add a little pH increaser. When your pH and alkalinity are both high, pH decreaser will lower both. When only your alkalinity is high, your pH will also be high so you can use pH decreaser for both.
3. Calcium Hardness
Just like how calcium is good for bones, it’s good for your pool. Adding calcium hardness to your pool water helps defend your pool walls and equipment from chemical imbalance.
Don’t over do it though. Only add Calcium Hardness Increaser once in the beginning of the season. Make sure to pre-dissolve it before adding the chemical to your pool water. If the calcium in your water is too high, you will have to dilute the water. That’s extra you don’t want to waste your time with!
The proper level of Calcium Hardness depends of the material basis of your pool. 200 to
275 ppm is the range for concrete pools while 175 to 225 ppm is what you’re aiming for all other types of pools.
If your pool is properly balanced at all times, it will make your pool’s sanitizer work more effectively and your life much better.
This article explains how you can backwash your pool filter efficiently. Want to know how to clean the bottom of your pool? Read more here.
