- getting the pH of the pool right is very important
It should be between 7.2 and 7.6 so clearly 7.4 is the ideal figure. if pH is either too high or too low it will cause any Chlorine sanitizer to be less effective, so you'll have to add more sanitizer to ensure destruction of all pathogens
This is an avoidable expense
pH remains too low
Likely cause: - This is usually due either to low pH of mains water (soft water areas), incorrect Total Alkalinity (TA) levels or to the use of low pH (acidic) Chlorine donors such as Triclhlor
Cure: -adjust TA as required
Correct the pH by adding pH-Plus powder
You might also consider changing to a high pH Chlorine donor to help to counteract the low pH of the fill-water
Dichlor is roughly pH neutral; Tricloro is low pH (acidic), while Calcium Hypochlorite and Sodium Hypochlorite are both high pH (alkaline) chlorine donors
pH is permanently too high
Likely causes: -
(1) High pH of mains water (hard water areas) or
(2) Regular use of alkaline chlorine donors such as Calcium Hypochlorite or Sodium Hypochlorite, or
(3) Hardness salts being leached from new concrete or mosaic pools
Cure: - in all of the above cases the solution is the same; correct the pH
For (1) and (2), consider a change to a low pH Chlorine source such as Trichlor to help achieve a balance between the high pH of the water and the low pH of the Chlorine donor
As for (3) - the difficulties with new pools will eventually clear up on their own accord over time
pH values are erratic and fluctuate
Likely cause: - The Total Alkalinity is too low to buffer the pH
Cure: - Add sodium bicarbonate to raise total alkalinity to 80-120 ppm
Dose at 1.5kg per 50m³ (13,000 US Gallons) of pool water; pre-dissolve and add via the skimmer with the pump on
pH is locked
Likely cause: - The water is over buffered due to high Total Alkalinity (TA) - this is a common problem in hard water areas
Cure: - Add dry acid (Sodium Bisulphate) to lower the TA to 80-120 ppm
The dose rate is 1kg per 50 cu metres of pool water
Add the acid, a little at a time and pre-dissolved at a dilution of 10:1, to the deepest part of the pool with the pump turned off
Leave the pump off for 24 hours, re-test and repeat as required
Note: It may take weeks of patient treatment to reduce TA to acceptable levels
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Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©