Pool maintenance — and enjoyment — starts with balanced water. Balanced water means keeping key water chemistry levels within their ideal ranges. When your water is properly balanced, it’s comfortable for swimmers, helps protect pool surfaces and equipment and allows your sanitizer to work effectively.
The Top 3 Key Factors of Pool Water Chemistry
Keeping these within the ideal pool water chemistry levels ensures proper balance.
- Total Alkalinity
- pH
- Calcium Hardness or Total Hardness
Total Alkalinity (TA)
Total Alkalinity refers to how well your water can resist changes in pH. Think of it as a buffer that keeps your pH level stable. Keeping your alkalinity in the ideal range helps everything else stay balanced.
pH
Your sanitizer’s effectiveness depends heavily on your pool’s pH. Maintaining proper pH balance helps chlorine work efficiently. When it’s too low, chlorine wears off fast. When it’s too high, chlorine becomes less effective.
Calcium Hardness or Total Hardness
Calcium hardness measures the amount of dissolved calcium (and some magnesium) in your water. It plays a key role in overall water balance, along with pH and Total Alkalinity. Low calcium hardness = soft, corrosive water. High calcium hardness = hard, scale-forming water.
Recommended Guidelines for Optimal Pool Chemistry
| Water Chemistry | Min. | Ideal | Max. | Testing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Chlorine with Minerals (ppm) | 0.5 | 0.5–1.0 | 1.0 | weekly |
| Free Chlorine without Minerals (ppm) | 1.0 | 2.0–4.0 | 5.0 | at least twice a week |
| pH | 7.2 | 7.4–7.6 | 7.8 | at least twice a week |
| Total Alkalinity (ppm) | 80 | 80–120 | 120 | weekly |
| Total Hardness (ppm) | 200 | 200–400 | 400 | weekly |
Free Chlorine with Minerals refers to the amount of chlorine that should be present when using FROG®
How to Balance Pool Water (Step-by-Step)
Follow this simple process for balancing water:
Step 1: Test the Water
Use test strips or a water test kit for accurate readings!
Step 2: Adjust Total Alkalinity First
If levels are low, add a Total Alkalinity Increaser. If levels are high, use a pH Decreaser.
Step 3: Adjust pH
Use pH increasers or decreasers as needed to keep it within the ideal range.
Step 4: Adjust Calcium Hardness
Next, ensure Total Hardness is in the right range to prevent corrosion or scaling. If levels are low, add a Calcium Increaser.
Step 5: Retest and fine-tune
Wait a few hours after adjustments and retest.
What Causes Pool Water Imbalance?
Understanding what causes water imbalance helps prevent common pool chemistry issues. The biggest factors include:
- Heavy use
- Body oils, lotions and debris
- Water temperature changes
- Adding fresh water
- Chemical adjustments
If You’re Having Trouble Balancing your Water — it Could be TDS
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) is a hidden contributor to water problems. TDS is the total of all dissolved solid matter in the water, including:
- Minerals
- Chemical residue
- Oils and contaminants
TDS builds up as water evaporates and the minerals, particles and chemical residues are left behind. Signs of high TDS include:
- Difficulty maintaining water balance
- Agua turbia
- Scale buildup or corrosion
- Harsh water
You don’t need to check TDS levels as often as you check Total Alkalinity, pH and Total Hardness, but you will need to check them routinely. Monthly is a good practice. The only way to remedy high TDS levels is to partially drain the pool water and top it off with fresh water.
See, Feel and Smell the Difference
RANA® Sanitizing Systems transform your pool by combining proprietary FROG Sanitizing Minerals® with low levels of chlorine to destroy bacteria. The result is Agua mineral fresca®∞, our signature water quality experience that’s gentler on skin and free from the harsh, over-chlorinated feel of traditional pool care.
- Uses up to 50% less chlorine*
- Less chlorine creates water that is cleaner, clearer and softer
- Easier on skin, swimsuits and pool surfaces
- No harsh odors
* En comparación con el nivel mínimo de cloro recomendado por la EPA de 1,0 ppm para una piscina estabilizada.
∞ Agua más limpia, cristalina y suave para piscinas, jacuzzis y spas de natación.
