Why be concerned about pool alkalinity?

Answer 1

It keeps your pH from jumping around from day to day. It is regulated by adding common baking soda that can be acquired inexpensively in any warehouse type food store. I generally add 10 LB to my pool in the spring and another 10 LB if the PH starts to fall too low half way through the season. Hatawa

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There are a lot of rumors, myths and simply put, untruths when it comes

to understanding alkalinity and just how important it really is.

A close cousin of pH, the level of alkalinity in the water is a measurement

of all the carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides and other alkaline substances

found in the pool water.

pH is alkaline dependent; that is, alkalinity is defined as the ability of the

water to resist changes in pH. Also known as the buffering capacity of the

water, alkalinity keeps the pH from "bouncing" all over the place.

Low alkalinity is raised by the addition of a base (just like pH); sodium

bicarbonate is the most commonly used. High levels of alkalinity are lowered

by the addition of an acid (again, just like pH).

I recommend "pooling" the acid in a small area of low current for a greater

effect on alkalinity. That is, adding an acid will lower both pH and alkalinity.

Walking the acid around the pool, in a highly distributed manner will typically

have a greater effect lowering the pH than the alkalinity.

Pooling the acid has the opposite effect. A very important

component of water balance, alkalinity should be maintained in the 80-120

ppm range. Levels should be tested weekly.

I hope this short message sheds some light on the relevance of alkalinity and

why it's so important to properly manage it.

Taking care of your alkalinity will help keep the other chems in 'check' and make

it much easier to manage the overall water chemistry of your swimming pool.

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