How to Adjust Pool Water Alkalinity
Pool water alkalinity readings should be about 100 parts per million (ppm) no matter what type of shock or chlorine you use or the type of pool, such as a vinyl liner, concrete or fiberglass pool. Sodium bicarbonate increases alkalinity, and sodium bisulfate decreases alkalinity. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Total alkalinity test strip kit
- Sodium bicarbonate (increaser) or sodium bisulfate (decreaser)
- 1-gallon bucket
Instructions
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Test the pool water alkalinity using one total alkalinity test strip. Dip the strip in the water at least 18 inches below the water surface, and then pull the strip out of the water. Compare the color of the test strip to the alkalinity test strip kit's color chart. That will show you whether the pool water's alkalinity is low or high.
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Prepare sodium bicarbonate to add to pool water that has low alkalinity. Fill a 1-gallon bucket with warm water to dissolve the appropriate amount of sodium bicarbonate before adding it to the pool. Use 0.7 oz. of sodium bicarbonate per every 5,000 gallons of pool water to raise the alkalinity 10 ppm. Raise the alkalinity to 20 ppm by using 1.4 oz. of sodium bicarbonate per every 5,000 gallons of pool water. Use 2.8 oz. of sodium bicarbonate per every 5,000 gallons of pool water to raise the alkalinity to 40 ppm.
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Prepare sodium bisulfate to add to pool water that has high alkalinity. Fill a 1-gallon bucket with warm water to dissolve the sodium bisulfate before adding it to the pool. Use 1.06 lbs. of sodium bisulfate per every 5,000 gallons of pool water to lower the alkalinity 10 ppm. Lower the alkalinity 20 ppm by using 2.13 lbs. of sodium bisulfate per every 5,000 gallons of pool water. Use 4.25 lbs. of sodium bisulfate per every 5,000 gallons of pool water to lower the alkalinity to 40 ppm.
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Run the pool filter for at least eight hours.
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Pour the bucket containing water and either diluted sodium bicarbonate or diluted sodium bisulfate into the pool's deep end in front of one of the water return jets. The water return jet will circulate the solution throughout the pool.
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