Alkalinity and pH balance

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