The factors that contribute to water balance are free chlorine, pH, Total Alkalinity, cyanuric acid, Total Dissolved Solids, calcium hardness, phosphates, and nitrates — understanding what is considered the “preferred ranges” and how the chemicals will make the enjoyment of your pool that much easier.
First, let’s start with the “preferred ranges.” They are as follows:
Free chlorine 2 -4 ppm
Salt Level 3000 - 4000ppm
pH 7.2 – 7.6ppm
Total Alkalinity 80 – 120ppm
Cyanuric Acid 60 – 80ppm
Total Dissolved Solids 0 - 1500ppm (after subtracting the salt level)
Calcium Hardness 250 - 350ppm
Phosphates 0ppm
Nitrates 0ppm
Chlorine
Free chlorine (FC) is chlorine that is available to combine with contaminants in the water to disinfect and sanitize the water. Free chlorine is a residual disinfectant.
Combined chlorine (CC) is after it has bonded with contaminants. In this state, it is no longer able to continue its sanitizing effect. It has done its job and must wait for additional chlorine to begin disinfecting the water again. Combine chlorine cause the unpleasant chlorine smell in the water, burning of the eyes, irritated skin and other unwanted side effects of swimming.
Total chlorine (TC) is the total amount of chlorine in the pool, that is, the sum of both the free chlorine and the combined chlorine.
Salt
Salt is the generator's source to produce chlorine. The Mini uses electrolysis to break down the salt also known as sodium chloride to produce chlorine in the form of sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid. The ideal salt level helps ensure maximum benefits of the conversation of the sodium chloride to chlorine gas. Low levels of salt can hinder the Mini effectiveness.
pH
pH has the most impact on properly balanced water and user comfort. The recommended pH of pool water is slightly alkaline. The ideal range is 7.4 to 7.6. Many things can affect the pH of a pool, including user waste; disinfectants; source water; air-borne debris; water balance chemicals; aeration; evaporation.
pH Related Pool Problems:
Low pH High pH
Corrosive Water Scaling Water
Etching of Pool Surface Clogged Filters
Corrosion of Metals Clogged Heater Elements
Staining of Surface Walls Reduced Circulation
Chlorine Loss Cloudy Water
Eye/Skin Irritation Chlorine Inefficiency
To lower pH, you can use muriatic acid or dry acid. To raise the pH you would use soda ash. Control of the pH is essential for the comfort of the bather and the efficiency of the chlorine, as well as the protection of the system components. The method used to control pH is to maintain proper levels of the Total alkalinity (TA).
Total Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity (TA) is a measure of the water’s ability to resist changes in the pH. TA is like an anchor for keeping the pH where it should be. Without proper buffering of the TA, the pH can have dramatic swings from High to Low – known as “pH bounce.” Higher levels of TA, the pH is usually higher than ideal and may become difficult to adjust – this is a “pH lock.”
Low TA High TA
Chlorine Inefficiency Cloudy Water
Corrosion Clogged Filters
Staining Clogged Heater Elements
Eye/Skin Irritation Reduced Circulation
To increase the TA level use baking soda and to decrease the TA use muriatic acid. Adjustments of the TA levels affect the pH levels. It is always best to make significant changes in a couple of steps, testing the water after each modification.
Cyanuric Acid
Cyanuric Acid (CYA), also known as stabilizer or conditioner, acts as a sunscreen to protect the Free Chlorine from sun's ultraviolet rays. Sunlight and heat affect pool water's chlorine level. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can reduce chlorine by up to 90 percent in two hours. Combine that with warm temperature of the pool water, tends to breed more bacteria causes the free chlorine to oxidize faster.
It is necessary for outdoor pools to maintain appropriate levels of chlorine because it helps keep the appropriate residual chlorine level in the water.
Total Dissolved Solids
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is as the name implies a measure of the total amount of dissolved material in the water. Testing for TDS is by assessing the electrical conductivity of the water with an electronic meter.
TDS comes from many of the chemicals we use to keep our pools in balance. Every time you adjust the pH, add conditioner, algaecides, or chlorine, the TDS levels increase. As the TDS levels climb above the recommended 1500 ppm (after subtracting the salt level), your water may become cloudy, and your chemicals become less effective.
Higher water temperatures and aeration in pools result in water evaporating at a faster rate than pools. And it does not remove the minerals or TDS in the water. As the TDS levels increase, chlorine may become less effective causing cloudy water or algae growth. Also, with pool water, the heater elements are more easily attacked by water, and unsightly staining may occur.
To reduce the TDS level the most practical solution is to drain some water and replace it with fresh water.
Calcium Hardness
Calcium Hardness is the measurement of the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water. The recommended range for total hardness for pools is between 150 and 250ppm.
High level of calcium hardness makes it difficult to properly dissolve chemicals in the water while causing scaling in the pool and plumbing. Now when the calcium levels are too low, it could cause erosion, damage and over time eat away at the plaster, plumbing, jets, and other equipment.
It is essential in having the right levels of calcium hardness. It helps improve the chlorine generator's ability to stay clean and provide softer silkier water for the pool bather.
Phosphates/Nitrates
Phosphates and Nitrates set very high demand for chlorine. Most often they bring the chlorine level down to zero and hinder the generator from getting the level back up. You can have the water tested for phosphates and nitrates at a local pool store. When having a chlorine problem, first need to check these two levels, the majority of the time they can be the culprit.
Use a phosphate remover to remove phosphates from the water. Now to remove nitrates is different. You will need to dilute the water with fresh water.
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