There are many aspects of water chemistry to think about when balancing your pool water, including total alkalinity, pH and calcium hardness. You can achieve a beautiful, well balanced pool that is safe and healthy for your friends and family to enjoy. A proper balance of chemical factors such as total alkalinity, pH and calcium is needed for the sanitiser to work correctly, the water to be pleasant to swim in, and to prevent scaling or corrosion of the pool surface or equipment.

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Pool Chemicals and Supplies

While chlorine is undoubtedly important, you will need a few more things to keep your pool ready for any-time use. 

• Alkalinity and pH Control: If pH or total alkalinity is too low, chlorine can rapidly deplete. Low pH can corrode pool equipment and surfaces as well as irritate skin. Therefore, you can balance low pH or total alkalinity with products specifically designed to raise pH and alkalinity.

• Acids: If pH or total alkalinity is too high, chlorine will not work efficiently. High pH water can also be cloudy. To lower pH and total alkalinity, use acids like muriatic acid or dry acid. Acids can cause serious damage to skin and eyes, so handle these chemicals with caution.

• Conditioners/Stabilizer: When you use unstabilized chlorine in an outdoor pool, the sun’s rays can deactivate the chlorine. But there’s a simple fix—add a chlorine conditioner like cyanuric acid. Stabilized chlorine already has a base pool conditioner added. 

• Calcium Hardness Increasers: If your calcium hardness level is too low, it can corrode pool surfaces. Increase calcium hardness levels with calcium hardness increaser, but don’t add too much because calcium levels can be hard to reduce. Consult with your pool professional on the correct amounts to add.