800-428-3254 REQUEST A QUOTE LOG IN Home // Resources // Basic Water Chemistry BASIC WATER CHEMISTRY CORRECT SWIMMING POOL WATER CHEMISTRY STARTS WITH BALANCING SEVEN PRINCIPAL FACTORS: TOTAL ALKALINITY, PH, CALCIUM HARDNESS, FREE AVAILABLE CHLORINE, COMBINED AVAILABLE CHLORINE, TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS AND TEMPERATURE Component Description Proper Range Total Alkalinity Without a proper balance of total alkalinity wild fluctuations in pH may occur. Total alkalinity is raised by adding sodium bicarbonate and lowered by adding sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid. 100 - 150 parts per million or ppm pH When pH is not balanced your bathers experience discomfort and chlorine is rendered useless. It also helps to deteriorate equipment and shorten its life span. Water pH is raised by adding soda ash or caustic soda and lowered by adding sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid. 7.2 - 7.6 Calcium Hardness Without a proper balance in calcium hardness calcium is leached from pool surfaces or deposited on equipment. Calcium hardness is raised by adding calcium chloride. 200 - 400 ppm Free Available Chlorine When any chlorine compound is added to the water, the percentage of its strength depends the pH level. At a pH of 7.0, 75% of the chlorine is in the active form of hypochlorous acid. At a pH of 7.5, active hypochlorous drops to 48% and at a pH of 8.0 hypochlorous acid is only 22%. 1.0 - 3.0 ppm Combined Available Chlorine When free active chlorine reacts with ammonia, organic nitrogen compounds and other contaminates in the pool water, chloramines are formed. Chloramines are not an effective disinfectant and are actually the cause of most eye irritation and odor problems. The presence of combined chlorine in water can be removed by the addition of 10 ppm free available chlorine per ppm of combined chlorine or the use of other shocking agents. n/a Total Dissolved Solids This is the total amount of all material dissolved in the pool water. As water is reused and chemicals are added, a load develops that adversely affects water balance and efficient operations. The only proper cure is dilution with fresh make-up water. Should not exceed 1,500 ppm Temperature For swimming pools maintained within a range of 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, temperature is not an important factor in proper water balance. n/a CONTACT US – NATIONAL National Catalog Call Center Phone Numbers Toll Free Phone: (800) 428-3254 Toll Free Fax: (800) 428-0133 National Catalog Call Center Hours of Operation Mon.- Fri.: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM EST Email: sales@recreonics.com CONTACT US – LOUISVILLE LOCAL Store Hours 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Mon.- Fri. (April – Nov 15: Sat. 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM) Phone: (502) 458-5731 We Stop Testing Water 30 Minutes Prior to Closing. SHIPPING INFORMATION Large volume shipping and central location allows us to offer our customers reduced freight costs and fast shipment on orders. Learn more INGROUND POOL KITS Over 40 years of experience! Custom shapes and sizes, and steel pool kits available. Learn More Recreonics is not a party to ANY mysterious shopper initiative. Call your Better Business Bureau today. ONLINE CATALOG Mechanical Equipment Wibit Inflatables Deck Equipment Competitive Equipment Safety/Signage Recreation/Exercise Maintenance / Accessories All Categories AquaThority Blog ©2021. Recreonics. Privacy Policy Site Map