There are so many different types of pool chemicals- We are going to concentrate on the very basic ones that control- Chlorine, pH, Alkalinity, Calcium & Cyanuric Acid.
Download Basic Pool Chemicals HERE
Chemicals broken down *by order of importance
Alkalinity (TA) in pools is extremely important and helps prevent sudden pH changes. Alkalinity helps stabilize the pH in your body of water.
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Low Alkalinity can cause your water to have “pH bounce”. This is when your pH shifts drastically causing your pool water to be unbalanced. Can Cause:
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High Alkalinity your pH will be much higher than normal. “pH lockout” can occur where pH levels become difficult to adjust. Can Cause:
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What Causes Alkalinity to Rise or Fall?
- Rain
- Shock
- Body Fluids
- Sunscreens
- Make-up water with high alkaline levels
How to Raise the Alkalinity levels in your pool:
- Sodium Bicarbonate (Bicarb or baking soda)
*Always remember to add chemicals to water, never water to chemicals.
How to Lower the Alkalinity levels in your pool
- Partial water replacement
- Muriatic acid- this will lower pH and alkalinity at the same time.
pH alone in pools is unstable. pH is a scale that measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the water. The scale of pH ranges from 0-17 with 7 being neutral.
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Low pH water is acidic. Can Cause:
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High pH water is to alkaline Can Cause:
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What causes high pH?
pH rises naturally by swimmers, splashing, adding air into the pool will cause the CO2 to break up and pH to rise.
pH also rises when other chemicals are added to the pool, Chlorine will raise the pH.
Temperature rise can also cause pH to increase.
How to raise pH?
- Soda Ash chemical will increase pH
What causes low pH?
Stagnant pool water can lower pH due to carbon dioxide in the air will start to dissolve into the water.
Make-up water with low pH will also cause pH to decrease.
How to lower pH?
- Muriatic Acid chemical will decrease pH
- CO2 will decrease pH
Chlorine (CL) also known as sanitizer is the most effective way to kill bacteria, algae and keep the water safe for swimmers. There are many different types of chlorine and many different ways to administer Chlorine .
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Low CL can cause your water to be unsafe for swimmers Can Cause:
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High CL Can cause your water to be unsafe for swimmers Can Cause:
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Most used Chlorine Types
Liquid VS Tabs
Chlorine type is really a personal choice depending on needs, location, cost and staff preferences. We will break down a few pros and cons to each.
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Liquid |
Tablets (Dry Chlorine) |
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Cost |
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Availability |
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Transportation |
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Storage |
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Usage |
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Chlorine Tab PROs:
- Stabilized - no need to add extra Cyanuric Acid
- Highest available chlorine level of any chlorine compound 90%
- Reliable, consistent
- Easy for storage, handling, and application
- Long shelf life
Chlorine Tab CONS:
- Cyanuric acid will build up over time causing chlorine issues
- Tablets can not quickly raise chlorine levels so another type of “Shock” is needed.
- Adds chlorine to water slowly
Liquid PROS:
- Fast-Acting immediately available chlorine
- Lower purchase cost
- Can be used for many different purposes around the pool
- Easy to apply
- Goes into a solution and disperses quickly
Liquid CONS:
- Lower available chlorine level
- Unstable
- Short shelf life