How do I maintain my pool balance?

7 Steps to Balance Pool Water

Test and Adjust Total Alkalinity. Total Alkalinity (TA) is the first thing you should balance in your pool water. …
Test and Adjust pH. …
Measure and Adjust Calcium Hardness. …
Add Sanitizer to Your Water. …
Check and Adjust Cyanuric Acid. …
Shock Your Swimming Pool.

Thereof, does chlorine increase pH?

Using liquid chlorine raises the pH of the water.

When added to water, liquid chlorine (which has a pH of 13) makes HOCl (hypochlorous acid – the killing form of chlorine) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide), which raises pH.

Moreover, what determines pool water color? Water absorbs light’s long wavelengths (red, orange, yellow) more easily than its short ones (blue, violet). The short wavelengths of light that aren’t absorbed (blue) are reflected off the surface, and thus our eyes perceive them. Hence water’s beautiful blue hues. This effect increases with the amount of water.

Hereof, should I adjust chlorine or pH first?

Generally speaking you adjust PH first, chlorine second, and worry about everything else more gradually. However, there are many situations where you can adjust two or more numbers at the same time if the correct combination presents it’s self.

When should I add chemicals to my pool?

There is in fact a correct order to add your pool chemicals in after opening your pool or even just maintaining your pool.

What chemicals do I need to balance my pool?

To maintain a safe and healthy swimming pool, you need to keep your pool chemicals at the following levels:

pH: 7.4 to 7.6.
Alkalinity: 100 to 150 ppm.
Calcium Hardness: 175 to 225 ppm and 225 to 275 ppm for plaster pools.
For Chlorine or Salt Water Pools: 1 to 3 ppm (I recommend you keep it at 3 ppm)

How often should you balance pool water?

between 2-3 times per week

What should be adjusted first alkalinity or pH?

Check Total Alkalinity (TA) first, then adjust for proper pH range. Proper TA will buffer pH, that is, it will help to prevent pH fluctuations. Use fresh, high quality test strips. Excessively high bromine or chlorine levels can result in false pH and TA readings.

What does balanced pool water do?

A “balanced” swimming pool means keeping the five basic pool water components (total alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, stabilizer, and total dissolved solids) within their proper levels. These components work together to help the sanitizer work more effectively.

Does lowering pH lower alkalinity?

In other words, if you lower a pH of 8.3 to the recommended level using muriatic acid, the total alkalinity will also reduce but will still remain on the higher side. Likewise, if you lower alkalinity to the recommended level (e.g., from 300 ppm to 80 ppm), the pH level drops way below the recommended level.

How often should you put chlorine in your pool?

Shock is liquid or granular chlorine. You should add one gallon (or one pound) of shock per 10,000 gallons of pool water every week to two weeks. During hot weather or frequent use, you may need to shock more frequently.