What is pH ?
PH is the measurement of water acidity It is measured on a sacle of 0.0 to 14.0

What is the correct pH?
PH should be maintained at 7.2 to 7.8

Why should the pH be at that level?
This is the ideal zone for equipment protection, sanitizer effectiveness, and bather comfort.

What happens if the pH is too low?
A pH of less than 7.2 can irritate skin and eyes and corrode equipment

What should you do if the pH is too
low?
If the pH is less than 7.2, add chlorine to raise the pH .

What happens when the pH is too high?
A pH value higher than 7.8 reduces sanitizer effectiveness and may also cause eye irritation, cloudy water, and scaling .

What should you do if the pH is too high?
If the pH is higher than 7.8, use a ph reducer to lower the pH

What is free available chlorine?
Free available chlorine is the amount of anitizer in the water. It is abbreviated FAC

What is the correct amount of free available chlorine?
The free available chlorine in your pool should be 1.0-3.0 parts per million (ppm)

Why should the free available chlorine be at that level?
Above 3.0 ppm usually DOES NOT cause pool water problems. Below 1.0 ppm can cause algae problems, cloudy water, bather rashes and bacteria problems.

What should you do if your free available chlorine is less than 1.0 ppm?
Just add the usual chlorinator or shock treatment until you reach the desired free available chlorine level.

What is total alkalinity ?
Total alkalinity is the measurement of the water's ability to keep the pH at the proper level. It is sometimes abbreviated as TA.

What is the recommended range of total alkalinity?
Total alkalinity should be 60-120 ppm

Why should the total alkalinity be at that level?
If the total alkalinity is below 60 ppm the pH will not stay in the proper range and the pool water may promote corrosion and cause damage to the pool fixtures and equipment. Total alkalinity that is above 120 ppm can cause cloudy water or scale.

What should you do if total alkalinity is below 60 ppm?
You can add sodium bicarbonate (not soda ash)

What should you do if total alkalinity is above 120 ppm??
If total alkalinity is too high, add a pH Minus adjuster

What should you do after you adjust the total alkalinity?
Test the total alkalinity the next day. If necessary, treat your water again.

What is calcium hardness?
Calcium Hardness is a measurement of dissolved calcium in the pool. It is sometimes abbreviated as CH.

What is the correct level of calcium hardness?
Calcium hardness should be maintained at 200-500 ppm, bu may go as high as 1,000

Why should calcium hardness be at that level?
Pool water with a calcium level above 1,000 ppm may become cloudy. Calcium hardness below 200 ppm can corrode pool equipment. In plaster pools, it may result in pitting or etching problems..

What should you do if the calcium hardness is below 200 ppm?
Add a calcium plus adjuster.

What should you do if the calcium hardness level is above 1,000 ppm?
The only way to lower calcium hardness is to partially drain your pool and then add water with a lower calcium hardness. Then re-test the pool water. Continue to drain and refill the pool until you reach the desired calcium hardness.