POOL CHEMISTRY 101: How to Keep Your Water Balanced | Swim University

[@Julian-lw4tu]

Learned more in your 10 minute video then I did in the last week trying to understand basic pool maintenance. Thanks for making it easy to understand!

[@WereIMakePlayLists]

The way you explain things is very understandable. It's like having a conversation with a friend and they're teaching you to take care of your pool. Thank you!

[@SwimUniversity]

That's exactly what we like to hear! So happy we can help

[@erikrose7041]

I think the good mic, back ground and zooming in and out helps increase engagement- Great job

[@poollogicdurbanville9360]

As a pool company I find your content very useful as a training tool. Keep it up.

[@fr7900]

Hey, I want to ask you about which product is good to adjust the pH and why. Between these two products, sulfuric acid (liquid or dry) and hydrochloric acid, and also about the chlorine shock, which is the best: calcium hypochlorite or TCCA (trichloroisocyanuric acid)

[@robertwadas]

Dont tell you customers they need nothing bur 1/2 copper sulfate crystals in strainer basket and never need to woory about any chemicals... 1/4 cup when opening and 1/4 cup mid season. Pool will never, ever turn green and no need for all those chemicals.

[@azhotmom]

As a newby pool owner I appreciate these videos! I walked into a pool supply store for the first time in my life today and felt kinda smart ; )

[@thewarwithin4776]

i bet you also saved alot of money! they love to sell you every product under the sun

[@alexchopper7997]

@@thewarwithin4776Beats paying a pool company monthly

[@siminakaradimas6496]

Thank you! Appreciate it, I've recently decided to take over responsibility of the pool since my husband is always saying i do it but never does. It's alway been green. So i've scrubbed all the algae off the tiles after shocking it. All crystal clear now. This is the next step 🙏

[@freekarella3024]

This is the best explanation ever. Your videos make me feel so confident about pool maintenance on my own as a new pool owner. Thank you.

[@nightlightYT]

helping my mom out by taking over the pool cleaning so she wont have to pay and ur videos are what are helping me keep it clean otherwise she was gonna cover the pool with dirt! so thank you

[@dannymckinsey208]

I wish this industry would STANDARDIZE these chemical names! Even between stores, they call the same additive completely different names! Please, just pick ONE CHEMICAL NAME, and stick with THAT.🤦🏼

[@billybrooks1]

My PH is always trending up while my alkalinity is trending down. I just add baking soda to raise alkalinity, then a little acid to drop the PH. I do this every week or two

[@dianeempey1]

@@tjhughes7740 Possibly because the pool store is also testing CYA and that affects the alkalinity reading. You need to know your cya reading and subtract 1/3 of it from the alkalinity reading you get at home.

[@amyyoungblood2256]

​@@dianeempey1umm what???? Who told you that 🤔🤔

[@amyyoungblood2256]

Your pool chemistry will never remain the same. When you add in your landscapers, pest control companies, how much you use your pool, if you have animals (dogs) in your pool. Your chemicals won't stay balanced. That's the entire reason in a pool company bc your water will not stay balanced no matter how hard you try... You can be on it everyday,.but you'll always have to adjust things.

[@user-ys8bb2ts7s]

Do you have a fountain that is introducing air into your pool

[@billybrooks1]

@@user-ys8bb2ts7s No fountain

[@marslegare2034]

This is the most helpful accessible video about how to balance my pool that I have found!

[@SwimUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JpHSaltS]

Excellent Video! I Love Your Teaching.

[@catsdivinelydesigns]

I can't thank you enough for these informative videos. I am a new pool owner and am lost. These have helped me enormously. I feel so smart now...well not really but thanks!

[@CedricSaccardi]

thanks from new pool chem salesman, this video really helped to solidify my knowledge.

[@grumpy_8186]

Thanks man, Now my pool is crystal. And my skin dosn't peel anymore. Needed PH up (soda ash) too fix 2 things. Thanks again for explaining the importance of PH and acidity.

[@jonathandeuire6962]

Battling low alkalinity and high ph. After the latest round of baking soda and muriatic acid (4hrs apart), I’m at 83 TA and 8.2 pH.

[@mitchf5552]

He know his business and how to teach!!! Outstanding Video..

[@PamelaRose-ki4vy]

Thank you! You’ve guided me to perfect Pool water. !

[@SwimUniversity]

Wonderful!

[@robinyipp7093]

Your video gives new pool owner like me a fundamental and good knowledge on water balance and keeping. Thank you.

[@piazza1129]

Nice and clear…. My pool water, and the information Good video

[@WyMustIGo]

Question: I have a 10,000 gallon pool, and test results are that I have high chlorine and high pH, but my alkalinity is on the low end: Chlorine = 7.5ppm pH = 8.0ppm Alkalinity = 80ppm Calcium Hardness = 450 If I try to correct Alkalinity first by adding about 6 pounds of baking soda, isn't that going to drive the pH high which means I'd need to add Muratic Acid which will then lower both pH and Alkalinity again?

[@WyMustIGo]

Also most charts say Alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 ppm, so why would you increase it to 125ppm in your example? Wouldn't ideal alkalinity be 100ppm?

[@samantharagan2829]

You're awesome! Haha. Thank you! I'm overwhelmed by this pool chemistry and you help so much!

[@saralinstrom]

These videos have been extremely helpful to me as a new pool owner

[@divyangvaidya1999]

I don't own a pool, yet this is interesting to learn. Pool maintenance really is as big as construction of a pool itself.

[@mymuzicpal]

loved your instructions. why do people DISLIKE this video

[@robertwadas]

Simple, I add 1/4 cup Copper Sulfate in meash netting in strainer basket in start of year. I do same 1/2 way thru the season. I spend $12/yr and have never used chemicals like chlorine or worried about water balance and there has never been green anything in my pool for 10 years. Neighbor has same pool and costs him $120/mo during swim season. If he gets called away for work in 2 weeks he has a green lagoon. I was in hospital for 3 weeks, and came home to a crystal clear pool.

[@mophast]

just bought a 12 ft pool for the season and i also bought a house with a 20ft by 30ft in ground pool that i will be moving in only in october so this little pool will help me learn the pool chemistry for this summer great video

[@Privateersman1]

My belief is that Water balance is governed by 3 key parameters: pH, alkalinity & calcium hardness. If these 3 parameters are correctly balanced, the water will be clear. This I understand is the basis of the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). I also believe that you get the calcium hardness to the right level before you adjust alkanility and pH particularly at the start of the season.

[@Peter-Alexander]

You are right! It is easy to use an app for calculating the LSi. Temperature is also a key factor. I find it easier to set alkalinity and PH a bit higher in winter time (like 85 / 7.8) and in the summertime a bit lower (65 / 7.5) to compensate. With a lower alkalinity the ph ceiling is a bit lower so if you have a swg it lets it rise the PH less quickly that way.

[@davewilliams9421]

Have 18'x52" round above ground. I just watched your Alkalinity/PH chemistry video. I live in an area with typically harder water. My issue is getting the alkalinity up to 80ppm + and at the same time keeping the PH down around 7.5. I have easily been able to keep the PH balanced properly, but my alkalinity stays down around 40ppm. I have been using baking soda to raise the alkalinity and have finally reached 80ppm...but the PH goes through the roof (way over 8.2ppm). So I use PH decreaser to get the PH back down where it belongs, but the alkalinity goes way back down as well. So, when I try to raise the alkalinity the PH goes up too high. and the reverse is true as well. Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope..! Definitely need some more schooling here, thanks.

[@Maverick-316]

That's why I'm watching this, I have the same issue.

[@lindaherbert2413]

me too!

[@RUsure]

Me too 😮‍💨

[@audreyolson6650]

Me too!

[@apple-guy9394]

Dude I love your app makes my life easier with my chemistry for my pool

[@DaringDame95]

I’ll bring the popcorn! 😅 Thanks for the info.

[@arturopeeez9734]

Thank you very helpful and very easy for me to understand.

[@kathleenhartman8015]

My alkalinity test comes out perfect 100, it's my PH that is off the charts, it's really high. I didn't see a recommendation for that. Does anyone have an opinion?

[@johna7450]

Alkalinity or (base) is anything above 7 on the P.H. scale. It's the opposite of Acidic. They aren't different the ppm of alkalinity is contingent on conditions of water and is used to balance PH.

[@BillyVatcher]

I actually made popcorn before beginning the video 😮

[@curtislewis2103]

"Nice!" Very thorough!"

[@groucho1062]

I enjoyed & learned from the video. FYI, though, the couple of times you put your website URL in the video, it's misspelled (the second time is at 9:54.) Thanks for posting these!

[@vincentfrussinetty9477]

Thank you. I was going crazy I have a pool it’s only 650 gal no perimeters so I had to make it up but now I know.

[@StephenMeyer-b4p]

Its a pure science,,gotta keep up every day, once it gets outta balance you have to work harder

[@brianmichaels8645]

you rock! clear and concise advice as always. my go for pool care advice

[@eosp9376]

Isn't it amazing how the majority of molecules in our bodies are made of water? Everything you say pertains to the health of our bodies too! Raise the pH and we are in the clear 🌊🌊🌊

[@sterling7178]

I bought a house with a pool recently. I inherited the dreaded low pH and high Alkalinity problem. I'm not sure how that happens. I'm slowly adding Borax and Muriatic Acid to get things right. Fingers crossed.

[@valenciae271]

I have the same problem 😔 except I don't have acid except for vinegar

[@sterling7178]

valenciae271 They sell muric acid at Lowe’s.

[@lisamcmurray297]

Any chance you could do a video on how to accurately read test strips?

[@nationalstreak]

Test strips are hard to read. They are typically vague. I would recommend only the ones that take drops from the reagents. A pool is a big investment, worth it to spend the few extra bucks to properly maintain it. False readings could lead you to costing yourself more money, better to go with a more reliable testing method.

[@timquirk6211]

You do a great job explaining things. Thanks.

[@theeshzznitt]

This was suuuuper helpful and it’s the first vid I’ve watched lol

[@JORGEUVERAS4ALL]

Don't blame his hat for you not being able to focus and understand what he's saying!! He is really easy to follow and I love what your doing- thank you for the information put in a simple way

[@SwimUniversity]

Haha, thank you!

[@giengarcia8804]

This is very informational content, thank you so much for explaining it. Short and direct.

[@deweydossett5283]

I have about had it with this stuff. My alkalinity is sticking at 240 but my ph is perfect. My free available chlorine reads 0 and my cya read 0 with everything else reading acceptable. I went and bought chlorine stabilizer cause that’s what it told me, but today my cya reads 300 ppm which is way high. Every test has told me to add two pounds of shock which I have done probably 40 times. Everyday is a different reading. I have spent hundreds of dollars on chemicals, but never gets right. Water is pretty clear and i have sand filter which i backwash, rinse, run the vacuum, but never have got all the chemical levels acceptable.

[@davesherman1642]

I don’t know if anybody’s mentioned it yet but the biggest most expensive I guess problem that I run into as a Pool Builders/service guy is heater heat exchanger failures because of low pH and the inability of a customer to admit that they are the cause of the failures

[@brucekreidler7172]

Hi Why do you recommend 125 ppm- 200 ppm on Alkalinity, when most test kits say 80-125 ppm ?

[@raduorosify]

Hello, will like to know the answer to this also (not arguing it, really want to hear the why behind it) . Thank you

[@brucekreidler7172]

Radu O no one has answered so far

[@gomezalberto27]

What minute he said that????

[@kennedystephen]

If you have have high CYA leading to Chlorine lock, what does adjusting TA or pH matter? You'll end up dumping a ton of well-balanced water to lower the CYA, and have to start all over again. I'd argue high CYA should be addressed absolutely first.

[@WyMustIGo]

most charts say Alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 ppm, so why would you increase it to 125ppm in your example? Wouldn't ideal alkalinity be 100ppm?

[@OxbabiOgurLxO]

I’m wanting to know this too!!

[@aaronmaomba2375]

Thanks... That was crystal clear

[@mikehill737]

Great vido!video!! Learned alot.. how soon after adding alkalinity up can u swim??

[@tristahadix8132]

Ok so my ph is high but my TA is good. When I add a ph decreaser how can I keep my Ta where it’s at?

[@SwimUniversity]

Add baking soda or alkalinity increaser afterwards

[@kristiegittings7519]

What about when ph is high but alkalinity is low? Which do you adjust first?

[@Threedog1963]

Our 15 year old gunite pool always requires, at a minimum 1 quart of acid, every week to remain in harmony. I don't know if it's because of the tap water we top it off with, the gunite shell itself, or what... always 1 quart acid, once a week. Unless we get heavy rain, then, it can jump to a gallon.

[@timpetrie8782]

Hey, the lesson was great it helped some. But I have an 8 persons salt water hot tub does the same chemistry ably with salt water?

[@jmor7818]

If people are wondering parts per million is also the same as milligrams/litres

[@Jeanniej-rd3jx]

Awesome info! Brand new above ground pool owner. Water turned green after a few days. 😢. I have the test strips and am working on adjusting outcomes. If I need Borax, how much do I need for 5000 gallons?

[@richardjimenez7394]

Thanks for the advice and heads up on my pool:)

[@mwood4924]

Like this video BUT what if my alkalinity is high 200 and my ph is low 6.8? You didn’t give that scenario? Do I add ph up or alkalinity down?!?!

[@eddielugo2746]

Hi I have a question my pool is 18x48 with only 7,000 gallons. How much of Baking soda can I add

[@schmehlchristian]

Hi, here is a funny question... What should I do, when I get my pool water on 6,9pH and 189ppm alkalinity? True Story. Actually I try to lower the alkalinity by giving some acit to the water. Of course pH degrees to. New values are 6,4 and 118ppm alkalinity. Now here is the point: what can I do, to raise the pH without the alkalinity? Is there a way? Best greetings!

[@Peter-Alexander]

Normally you would use soda ash for that. Do not use bicarbonate soda as it will raise alkalinity. It is a bit odd, your situation. Is your fill water acidic? Have you tried another test set to just make sure?

[@eztchorzewski6317]

You talking nicely but I’m not sure what to use where to buy and how to use I’m looking for this

[@SunshineStephy86]

Hi there! Quick question for you - how should I approach balancing my chemicals if the alkalinity is low and the ph is high? Thank you!

[@FStoppers]

I have the same situation. I've been adding baking soda first to get the alkalinity value correct and then lowering the pH with muriatic acid. Not sure if this is totally the right way so I'm curious to the answer to this too. -P

[@michelleschultz3451]

I am having the same issues too. I raise alkalinity with baking soda, then lower PH with dry acid. Haven't tried muriatic acid yet though. Shocking will raise PH, so if it doesn't come down, need to lower it. Though I do think having to lower PH is also lowering alkalinity as said inbthe video. Even though PH keeps going up. Just keep checking it. My problem is getting water chemistry checked at pool supply stores doesn't have tge same reading as myvtest kit, and 2 different stores don't match either! Very confusing.

[@CreaseysWorkshop]

If I start with water which is ph 7.2 and I add a load of buffer and the pH goes up. Then I add a load of acid to bring the ph back to 7.2 will the water be the same wrt alkalinity and pH stability or will it still have alkalinity and stability? Ie does the acid neutralise the buffer or does it still do stuff after having its pH forced down by the acid?

[@pedramsamimi1]

Very gooood . For ph test I bought a digital ph meter (MILWAUKEE PH 56 PRO) For test chlorine what instrument I have to bought? I work on 20 pools and this is my job. Please tell me how test chlorine with digital instrument and how balance it. Tnx

[@aldelacampa2768]

Does the Baking Soda / Clorox and Borax work for the PH / Alkalinity levels in a Salt Water above ground Pool ? Do you have videos for above ground salt water pools with a Intex Krystal Clear Saltwater System with E.C.O. (Electrocatalytic Oxidation)

[@luisl.5304]

Thanks for the very informative videos! I really appreciate all the time you take to try and educate us about pool maintenance! How can I find out how many gallons my pool is? Nobody could give me an answer when I purchased my home...

[@rachelzabala7677]

Length x width x average depth x 7.5 = volume (in gallons) Multiplying that by the average depth gives the volume in cubic feet. Since there are 7.5 gallons in each cubic foot, multiply the cubic feet of the pool by 7.5 to arrive at the volume of the pool (expressed in gallons).

[@tbellmer]

Is there a good digital test device to get accurate measures of PH, alkalinity and others?

[@daddaryl10]

Thanks for the information sir. Very helpful!

[@eeg0323]

When I ran my alkalinity at 125 I never could keep the ph in range. I lowered the alkalinity to around 60 and now the ph is rock solid

[@arthurvin2937]

Same shit, ideal alkalinity for my pool is 50-60. It keeps my pH stable around 7.7-7.8. However, I would suggest you to check your LSI index to determine how corrosive your water is. It's a summer in Phoenix and my water temp is around 90F + high calcium 350ppm - it helps to keep LSI at 0, which is ideal water, not corrosive nor scaling. That wouldn't be the case in colder temperatures, just 20 degrees lower and my water will become rather corrosive for plaster and equipment, especially if you have SWG. Conclusion, nobody from the screen can tell what your water should be like. Every pool out there is a unique living organism. The numbers that this guy gave would completely ruin my pool.

[@rsk8310]

Just for anyone reading this currently, I fought PH and alkalinity so much I called the guy who got me started at my property ( 27000 gallon condo pool ) and told him anytime i increased my alkalinity ( with sodium bicarb ) my PH would go up, so I add acid and both came down. a constant fight of sodium bi carb and acid. He told me get the PH right with acid and check the alkalinity and whatever the alkalinity says just keep it there. I have had no problems since. My alkalinity is 40 to 50 ppm and my PH is 7.4 to 7.6 with minimal care. I keep seeing alkalinity suggestions at 100 to 120 ppm if i did that I would need a truck load of acid and Bi carb. Anyone else seeing what we are seeing here? Florida pool location. on the ocean.

[@Peter-Alexander]

​@@arthurvin2937 You sir really understand how it works 😊. I do exactly the same.

[@nunyabitnezz2802]

So, in the desert southwest we have very base water, so acid is needed to adjust pH down. But I find that my alkalinity is always low. If I add sodium bicarbonate aren’t these two chemicals working at cross purposes?

[@AmyLBiddle]

I love your videos. Thank you! Somewhere you had a link to your store and a starter list and I can’t find it again. I just took over our pool maintenance (a 7500 gallon tiny inground pool). I’ll keep hunting for the store you’d shared. But I need to buy pool chemicals pronto!

[@SwimUniversity]

You can find everything you need on our website! www.swimuniversity.com/

[@VirginiaNavascues]

I get high alkaline values and low pH. Therr are no alkaline reducers in Spain. As a consequence, chlorine levels are usually low, no matter how much pH increaser and chlorine I add.

[@frik-shin]

Sulfiric acid will also Lower the ph while not lowering alk as much as muriatic acid does as well 😊

[@suefitzgerald4016]

I have high Alkalinity 18 drops to color change and Ph is 7.2; We are wanting to put in muratic acid to bring down the alkalinity but we need to raise the Ph... We have had a long HOT DRY summer in TX and we used well water to fill our pool which is very Alkaline - is this the culprit? How do we fix it... WE can't seem to kill ALL of the green algae powder and its almost clear but not really. We vacuum errday. We are hoping with cooler temperatures in about 2 mths it will calm down... in the meantime you got any suggestions?

[@MrEye4get]

Great videos! So glad I joined Swim University! My pool company is suggesting adding a Ph monitor with dosing pump and acid tank to manage Ph in my pool. Anyone have experience with this setup?

[@Cruner62]

Hi I use a UV steriliser to reduce the chlorine content so have you any advice for using this system ?

[@f1r3m3ll0]

Yeah I have a question how do I lower my ph(9.0+) and alkalinity (240+)? I have tried using muriatic acid and ph down an my ph and alkalinity are still up there.

[@jamesmckee9246]

One person said not to use trichloride in pools using fiberglass, plastic liner pools and pebbles and stones

[@jaymeejusko1688]

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!! Thank you! What do I do about my 15kgal pool as it's off the charts on hardness and with the drought we cannot drain and refill? I'm in Southern California. Help PLEASE!

[@patriciadavis229]

Thank you so much this has helped so much. Where I’m lost is my alkalinity should be between 80-120ppm it’s at 90 and my PH should be between 7.4-7.6 and it’s at about 8.2. Not sure what to do here.

[@SwimUniversity]

You should lower your pH with pH decreaser or muriatic acid, and then bring the Alkalinity back up with baking soda or alkalinity increaser.

[@patriciadavis229]

Thank you for your help.

[@kimberlykines7609]

I have been using the BBB method and doing good so far. However, cannot seem to get Alkalinity up. Only have a 10' rnd above ground Intex and according to calculator, I'm measuring for 1200 Gallons. Started with 6 oz of BSoda. 12 hrs later no change. Added 6 more oz. No change. First was diluting before putting in, then decided not to dilute still doing 6 oz every 12 hours. I use strips to test and it just never gets above 80 ppm. What am I doing wrong? Please help?

[@korirodriguez5503]

He just made my pool store look like complete idiots! Cause they are! Love the video dude..

[@annettepapa4099]

Are the measurements of the chemicals by weight or by volume for powders and granules?

[@kajmi25]

I have a test strip(5in1). It shows every time that i have a very alkaline and high ph water. I added a large amount of ph- but still the same. What could be the problem? Its an inflatable jacuzzi with 660 liters of water. The description says that i need 6-7 g of ph- to decrease ph by 0,1. I added about 300-400g of ph- but the test strip showing the same results. Can my water be so alkaline or high ph?

[@SteadyShadow]

I am confuse, my PH is great but my alkalinity is low. Can i add more alkaline and keep my PH at the Same time?

[@guermantsapin690]

Please help. My alcalinity is 120, however PH is 8.4. What should I do? First time pool owner and local pool guys are all booked till end of june. Hardness is at 500,total and free chlorine is at 1, and stabilizer is 0. Very frustrated. Previous owners used pool last summer, and now I just added water from the hose until half way to skimmer.

[@jamesmckee9246]

So far people have used the 5000 and 10000 gallon measurements So when you say ppm for which water measurement reference

[@kiabass8798]

I have a 15x48 intex pool and I had to I'm having to add 8.7 pounds of pH minus to lower the alkalinity and its only 4400 gallons I could amagine how much of a pain it would be to own a 27k gallon pool

[@makeemcryagain2003]

ok i have a pool for my kids with pump but it's only 1500 gallons and trying to calculate levels is hard for me bad at math with most charts are for at least 5000 gallons i usually just add small amount wait and retest and add more if needed but there has to be a easier way. help please i usually don't have a problem with ph levels its alkalinity and chlorine levels that always seem to be low but water is clear what should i do

[@kristabauer2359]

I have two brands of test strips. Neither are expired. One shows the ph is ok, and the alkalinity low. The other shows both are very high. How does that even happen? (I’ve tested it many times over a week and the readings are the same. This makes it quite impossible to balance. 🙇‍♀️ I just ordered new strips (dif brand) online as they’re “out of season” already, so hoping they come soon!)

[@couchback66]

we have a 14ft 42 inch with a standard filter cartridge intex pump i dont think its working properly do you think a bigger pump is needed

[@7Chamelons]

What can i do when I need to lower my calcium hardness? Other than that I learned so much in ten minutes I have a pool and a hot tub they both now look incredible but when I test, my hardness is always touching 1000

[@trevorspottiswood985]

It has all worked for me. Thank you!!

[@erjmesa]

Super awesome video! I home brew so the ph and alkalinity information was understandable, but I was not sure how this knowledge transferred to pool water. Great explanation and clear delivery. Thanks yo!

[@dustinlogan3826]

I used to cook meth so maintaining my new pool came pretty easily to me as well.

[@arturosoliz6903]

Thanks very informative 👍

[@floridahummer]

hi from the UK, have set my spa up, the chlorin is fine and my ph is ok but the Alkalinity is a bit low any ideas? thank you.

[@JoseHernandez-tz4cs]

Hey I have a question, what can I do if I increase my alkalinity with baking soda but then my ph shoots up. Can I use sulfuric acid ?