Total Alkalinity
The Total Alkalinity is the measure of alkaline materials dissolved in the water.
Proper levels of Total Alkalinity serve as a buffer to prevent fluctuations in the pH.
Total Alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 ppm.
A low Total Alkalinity allows the pH to easily “bounce” below its ideal range.
A high Total Alkalinity causes your pH to “bounce” above its ideal range.
To increase your Total Alkalinity, add Total Alkalinity adjuster or sodium bicarbonate.
Follow the instructions on the container.
In general 3 lbs. of Total Alkalinity adjuster will raise the Total Alkalinity level of a typical 20,000 gallon pool by 10 ppm.
If the Total Alkalinity is high, you may need to add doses of acid or dilute the pool water with fresh water that has a lower Total Alkalinity content.
Test Total Alkalinity monthly. If your test kit doesn’t test for Total Alkalinity,
take a sample to your local pool store’s water lab each month.
| Increase | Pool | Volume | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPM | 1000 GAL | 5000 GAL | 10000 GAL | 15000 GAL | 20000 GAL | 25000 GAL |
| 10 | 0.15lbs | 0.75lbs | 1.5lbs | 2.25lbs | 3.0lbs | 3.75lbs |
| 20 | 0.3lbs | 1.5lbs | 3.0lbs | 4.5lbs | 6.00lbs | 7.5lbs |
| 30 | 0.45lbs | 2.25lbs | 4.5lbs | 6.75lbs | 9.00lbs | 11.25lbs |
| 40 | 0.60lbs | 3.00lbs | 6.00lbs | 9.00lbs | 12.00lbs | 15.00lbs |
| 50 | 0.75lbs | 3.75lbs | 7.50lbs | 11.25lbs | 15.00lbs | 18.75lbs |
| 60 | 0.90lbs | 4.50lbs | 9.00lbs | 13.00lbs | 18.00lbs | 22.50lbs |
| 70 | 1.05lbs | 5.25lbs | 10.5lbs | 15.75lbs | 21.00lbs | 22.65lbs |
| 80 | 1.20lbs | 6.00lbs | 12.00lbs | 18.00lbs | 24.00lbs | 30.00lbs |
| 90 | 1.35lbs | 6.75lbs | 13.5lbs | 20.25lbs | 27.00lbs | 33.75lbs |
| 100 | 1.5lbs | 7.50lbs | 15.00lbs | 22.50lbs | 30.00lb | 37.50lbs |
