Pool Water Chemistry - What Is It?
Just imagine life as a pool owner if you could put water in your pool and that would be it. No need to worry about algae, bacteria build-up and the growth of nasty contaminants because it looks after itself. Alas, the reality is that without chemicals, the water would become a health hazard. Mention the word chemistry and it immediately conjures up atoms and molecules. For the new pool owner, water chemistry refers to understanding and managing the chemical composition of the water to ensure it is clean and safe for swimmers. Read on to plunge further into the subject of pool chemistry.
Test kit
A test kit will help you measure the quality of your water to discover what chemicals are needed. Take a sample from your pool about 30cm below the surface. Use a test strip to measure:
- pH
- Total alkalinity
- Chlorine (sanitiser)
- Calcium hardness
- Stability
What is pH level?
When someone talks about the pH level of the pool, it’s an indicator of the level of acidity in the pool water. A pool’s pH scale can be from 0 to 14 – the ideal reading is between 7.4 to 7.6.
Anything below 7 contains too much acidity and over 8.0 is too alkaline, resulting in a cloudy pool. To lower the pH, you need to add an acid. The most commonly used is hydrochloric acid. To raise the pH, add a base such as sodium carbonate.
Total alkalinity
Total alkalinity is the amount of dissolved alkali in the water. If it’s low, the water may lead to corrosion and staining of the pool and cause skin irritation. If alkalinity is too high, it may result in cloudy water and scaling on pool surfaces.
The recommended range for total alkalinity is between 80 to 120 parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per litre (mg/L). To raise or lower pH, add acid or alkali.
Chlorine (sanitiser)
A sanitiser’s role does just that – it keeps water sanitised. The most popular by far is chlorine. It works by oxidising contaminants.
Chlorine can kill viruses and help prevent algae growth. Saltwater is a popular alternative sanitiser with a salt chlorinator system generating chlorine from salt dissolved in water.
Calcium hardness
Calcium hardness in a swimming pool refers to the concentration of dissolved calcium ions in the pool water.
The recommended range for calcium hardness in a swimming pool is between 200 and 400 parts per million (ppm). Maintaining a good calcium hardness level is crucial to protect a pool’s surface to ensure the overall health of your water. To increase calcium hardness, add calcium chloride.
Pool stabiliser
Pool stabiliser, also known as a conditioner or cyanuric acid, is a chemical compound to protect chlorine in outdoor pools from degradation due to UV or sunlight. It acts as a shield preventing chlorine from dissipating too quickly.
You don’t need to be a science whizz to understand pool chemistry. At Factory Pools Perth, our experts can offer guidance on anything and everything to do with fibreglass pools. We use an innovative gel coat on our pools for longevity and superior performance. Visit a display centre and start planning your purchase today.
Pool Water Chemistry - What Is It?
Just imagine life as a pool owner if you could put water in your pool and that would be it. No need to worry about algae, bacteria build-up and the growth of nasty contaminants because it looks after itself. Alas, the reality is that without chemicals, the water would become a health hazard. Mention the word chemistry and it immediately conjures up atoms and molecules. For the new pool owner, water chemistry refers to understanding and managing the chemical composition of the water to ensure it is clean and safe for swimmers. Read on to plunge further into the subject of pool chemistry.
Test kit
A test kit will help you measure the quality of your water to discover what chemicals are needed. Take a sample from your pool about 30cm below the surface. Use a test strip to measure:
- pH
- Total alkalinity
- Chlorine (sanitiser)
- Calcium hardness
- Stability
What is pH level?
When someone talks about the pH level of the pool, it’s an indicator of the level of acidity in the pool water. A pool’s pH scale can be from 0 to 14 – the ideal reading is between 7.4 to 7.6.
Anything below 7 contains too much acidity and over 8.0 is too alkaline, resulting in a cloudy pool. To lower the pH, you need to add an acid. The most commonly used is hydrochloric acid. To raise the pH, add a base such as sodium carbonate.
Total alkalinity
Total alkalinity is the amount of dissolved alkali in the water. If it’s low, the water may lead to corrosion and staining of the pool and cause skin irritation. If alkalinity is too high, it may result in cloudy water and scaling on pool surfaces.
The recommended range for total alkalinity is between 80 to 120 parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per litre (mg/L). To raise or lower pH, add acid or alkali.
Chlorine (sanitiser)
A sanitiser’s role does just that – it keeps water sanitised. The most popular by far is chlorine. It works by oxidising contaminants.
Chlorine can kill viruses and help prevent algae growth. Saltwater is a popular alternative sanitiser with a salt chlorinator system generating chlorine from salt dissolved in water.
Calcium hardness
Calcium hardness in a swimming pool refers to the concentration of dissolved calcium ions in the pool water.
The recommended range for calcium hardness in a swimming pool is between 200 and 400 parts per million (ppm). Maintaining a good calcium hardness level is crucial to protect a pool’s surface to ensure the overall health of your water. To increase calcium hardness, add calcium chloride.
Pool stabiliser
Pool stabiliser, also known as a conditioner or cyanuric acid, is a chemical compound to protect chlorine in outdoor pools from degradation due to UV or sunlight. It acts as a shield preventing chlorine from dissipating too quickly.
You don’t need to be a science whizz to understand pool chemistry. At Factory Pools Perth, our experts can offer guidance on anything and everything to do with fibreglass pools. We use an innovative gel coat on our pools for longevity and superior performance. Visit a display centre and start planning your purchase today.
