Water Balance: Difference between revisions
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Total alkalinity is the measure of the water's ability to "buffer" from wide pH swings. A buffer is a chemical system that resists change when acids or bases are added to the water. In water with no buffer ability, pH can shift dramatically. This rapid fluctuation of pH is called pH bounce, and the result is a highly unbalanced water condition. | Total alkalinity is the measure of the water's ability to "buffer" from wide pH swings. A buffer is a chemical system that resists change when acids or bases are added to the water. In water with no buffer ability, pH can shift dramatically. This rapid fluctuation of pH is called pH bounce, and the result is a highly unbalanced water condition. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!Ideal Range | |||
|80 to 100 ppm | |||
|- | |||
!To Increase | |||
|<b>Add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)</b><br>28 lbs for +10 ppm<br>50 lbs for +17.9 ppm<br>(10 ppm/1.4 lbs for 200,000 gallons) | |||
|} | |||
Per PHTA, alkalinity should ideally be kept between 80 and 100 ppm when calcium hypochlorite is used as a sanitizer. Worst case, it must be no less than 60 and no greater than 180. More broadly speaking, a range from 80 to 120 is often cited as acceptable. The state and county do not appear to have a standard that supersedes this guideline. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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=== Adjustment === | === Adjustment === | ||
Pour bag(s) of sodium bicarbonate slowly into the surge tank. This should ideally be done late in the day to allow it to dissolve overnight. After pouring, the Chemtrol may briefly alarm due to the elevation of pH and TDS (conductivity) readings due to the spike in concentration within the filter system. The alarm should clear after several minutes. | |||
If possible, use the full bag to avoid keeping partial bags on-hand. | |||
Sodium bicarbonate can be purchased for about $40 from Aquatic Source in Brighton (plus delivery charge) or B&B Pools in Livonia. | |||
== pH == | == pH == | ||