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Calculate precise chemical dosing for pool water balance. Get accurate amounts for chlorine, pH adjusters, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer based on your pool volume and test results.
Use pool volume calculator if needed
Target: 1-3 ppm for residential pools
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Corrodes equipment, stings eyes, inefficient chlorine
Scaling, cloudy water, skin irritation, reduced chlorine
pH bounces wildly, corrosive water
Water "hungry" - dissolves plaster, grout
| Chemical | Dosage | Effect | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid Chlorine (12.5%) | 1 gal / 10K gal | Raises 10 ppm | 15-30 min |
| Cal-Hypo (65%) | 2 oz / 10K gal | Raises 1 ppm | 8 hours |
| pH Decreaser | 6 oz / 10K gal | Lowers 0.2 pH | 1 hour |
| pH Increaser | 6 oz / 10K gal | Raises 0.2 pH | 1 hour |
| Baking Soda | 1.5 lbs / 10K gal | Raises alk 10 ppm | 6 hours |
| Calcium Chloride | 2 lbs / 10K gal | Raises 20 ppm | 2-4 hours |
| Cyanuric Acid | 1 lb / 10K gal | Raises CYA 10 ppm | 24-48 hours |
| Parameter | Ideal Range | Optimal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Chlorine | 1-3 ppm | 2-3 ppm | Higher for outdoor/sunny pools |
| pH | 7.2-7.8 | 7.4 | 7.4 matches eye tears |
| Total Alkalinity | 80-120 ppm | 100 ppm | pH buffer - adjust first |
| Calcium Hardness | 200-400 ppm | 250-350 ppm | Higher for plaster pools |
| Cyanuric Acid | 30-50 ppm | 40 ppm | 0-30 for indoor pools |
| Total Dissolved Solids | <1500 ppm | <1000 ppm | Drain/refill if >2000 |
Common causes: high alkalinity (>120 ppm), aeration from waterfalls/jets, liquid chlorine addition, or new plaster. Lower alkalinity to 80-100 ppm first. Consider using trichlor tablets which lower pH naturally.
Yes, unscented household bleach (6% sodium hypochlorite) works but requires double the volume of pool liquid chlorine (12.5%). Pool chlorine is more cost-effective for pools over 10,000 gallons. Never use scented or splashless bleach.
Weekly during swim season, after heavy rain or usage, when combined chlorine >0.5 ppm, or when water appears cloudy/green. Shock at dusk so sun doesn't degrade chlorine. Wait 8-24 hours before swimming.
Free chlorine is active sanitizer. Combined chlorine (chloramines) is spent chlorine that causes chlorine smell and eye irritation. Total chlorine = free + combined. If combined >0.5 ppm, shock the pool.
High CYA (stabilizer >80 ppm) blocks chlorine effectiveness. Test CYA - if high, partially drain and refill. Also check pH (should be 7.2-7.4), brush algae, run filter 24/7, and shock heavily (10-30 ppm chlorine).
Liquid chlorine: 15-30 minutes. pH adjusters: 1 hour. Granular chlorine: 8 hours. Shock: 8-24 hours. Algaecide: 15 minutes. Always test chlorine before swimming - should be <5 ppm.