Perfect water quality depends on good sanitary conditions and proper use of Swimming Pool Chemicals. However, what you may not realize is that balancing key water indexes, such as total alkalinity, is just as important. Adjusting the total alkalinity is an indispensable part of pool maintenance. In this article, we will talk about something about total alkalinity.
The Effect of Total Alkalinity
Total alkalinity, also TA, represents the pH buffer capacity of pool water, which is not only related to the stability of water quality, but also indirectly affects the disinfection effect and the comfort for swimmers. The normal range of total alkalinity is 60-180 ppm.
On the one hand, low TA will cause the pH drift that is difficult to stabilize within the ideal range, that is, it will cause too high or too low pH levels:
- When there is too low pH level, the water will become acidic, which will not only irritate the swimmers' skin and eyes, but also corrode the pool equipment, such as the pool's filter, heating equipment, plumbing hardware, etc. At the same time, the acidic environment will accelerate the breakdown of pool disinfectants, resulting in the loss of residual chlorine and reduced disinfection effectiveness, which may lead to the growth of bacteria and algae.
- When the pH level is too high, the water becomes alkaline, which will inhibit the activity of chlorine disinfectants, reduce its disinfection effect, and also cause irritation to swimmers.
On the other hand, the high TA can make pH regulation difficult, and if the calcium hardness in the pool is too high, it can cause scale formation. It should be noted that total alkalinity and alkaline (high pH) are not the same concept and should not be confused.
How to Adjust the Total Alkalinity
When there is high TA, you can locally add sodium bisulfate or hydrochloric acid in the pool for neutralization. These substances will produce hydrogen ions when dissolved in water, which reacts with bicarbonate ions to produce carbon dioxide. Because the local acid concentration is so high that carbon dioxide is released before it can dissolve, thereby reducing the total alkalinity. It's also necessary to pay attention to operating gradually and closely detect changes in water quality. Or you can keep the pool pH below 7.0 by adding acid, while using a blower to blow air into the pool to remove carbon dioxide until the total alkalinity is reduced to the required value. Another method, which is the most effective way to reduce the total alkalinity, is partial water change, by introducing the new water to dilute the existing water body with high TA. It is recommended to test the total alkalinity once a week.
When faced with the low TA problem, sodium bicarbonate is a good choice. Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, produces bicarbonate ions when dissolved in water, thus increasing the total alkalinity. Please remember to add baking soda gradually to avoid too many chemicals at once causing sharp changes in water quality.
Other Work
However, sodium bicarbonate will slightly increase pH. While adjusting the total alkalinity, it is also crucial to pay attention to changes in pH. These indicators are interrelated and need comprehensive adjustment to maintain the overall stability of water quality. In addition, regular inspection and maintenance of pool equipment to ensure proper operation of the circulating filtration system will also help to keep the water quality stable.
Conclusion
In short, maintaining the total alkalinity in the pool is an important part of water quality management. By reasonably adjusting the total alkalinity, we can ensure that the pool water quality is always in a stable and healthy state, thus providing a safe and comfortable swimming environment for swimmers. We are a leading swimming pool chemicals manufacturer in China, if you need anything, welcome to contact us.