A Guide to Water Balance For Swimming Pool and Maintenance
Tip:To make efficient use of your swimming pool chemicals, managing good water balance is the main factor
Before adding swimming pool chemical it is important that you read and familiarise yourself with the workings of your spa / pool and support equipment. A clear, clean fresh spa or pool is only possible if you have good filtration and clear water flow
Water balance is the first thing to establish when treating your pool or spa. This helps make sure the later stps like sanitation are effective and use the minimum chemicals required The main criteria affecting water balance are calcium hardness, pH and Total Alkalinity.
Calcium hardness
Hardness depends on the levels of calcium salt in your water. This depends on where you live Low calcium hardness levels (soft water) can lead to corrosion of the materials of construction. Hard water (water high in calcium) can lead to limescale foriming in your pipes and equipment
these are guideline levels
• Calcium Hardness should be between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
• When the level drops below 75 ppm (mg/l), apply Hardness Plus
• If the level is above 200 ppm (mg/l), use Scale Inhibitor.
pH
pH can range from 1 to 14 where 1 is very acid and 14 very alkaline It is essential to maintain spa water within the 7.2 – 7.6 range which, because it is mildly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and create the ideal conditions for the individuals enjoying the pool or spa and also ensures maximum sanitiser efficiency.
• Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
• When the level drops below apply pH Plus
• If the measurement exceeds 7.6 use pH Minus
Note
pH can be tricky to manage in spas because the system water turns over quickly, is very agitated and operates at greater temperature than swimming pools. [All these factors
As a consequence rises in pH will lead the performance of chlorine (HOCl) sanitisers such as chlorine shock to drop dramatically. Significantly greater doses of chlorine sanitiser are then needed avoid this problem by using Bromine. Bromine works effectively over a wider pH range than chlorine Bromine also remains in the spa for longer than chlorine so it reduces the quantity of spa chemicals you use.
Total Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity (TA) acts as a buffer to prevent pH change. The water pH varies drastically when Total Alkalinity levels are very low
High levels of TA will not only affect water clarity, but also make pH adjustments extremely difficult.
• optimum Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it is below 80mg/l use Alkalinity Plus
• When Total Alkalinity is above 140mg/l remedy it with pH Minus to reduce it
The balance of the water needs to be monitored regularly because it is essential to the effectiveness of your other treatments
Use Test strips to measure your water balance, they are very easy to use
