Adding 2 oz. of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) per 1000 gallons of water will raise the alkalinity 10 parts per million. Despite raising the alkalinity to the desired level in my vinyl-sided pool the pH was not adversely affected.
Increasing the pH of the water without affecting the alkalinity is very easy, but there is a trick. With the pump motor on and water circulating, add the sodium bicarb. in the deep end of the pool and work your way around the perimeter. This will raise the pH with minimal effect on the alkalinity.
Keep your pH around 7.6-7.8, not 7.2-7.4. Most "pool experts" tell you 7.2-7.4 but they are using an index that your local water company uses which obviously should not be used for pool. There's a big difference between a water treatment system and your pool. You can't treat them the same.
The chart you need is in the link below.
Yes, it is soduim bicarbonate, just like the chemical at the pool store
Bicarbonate will RAISE the pH and total alkalinity.
In some cases, soda ash can be used to raise total alkalinity. Pound for pound, soda ash raises alkalinity 60 percent more than sodium bicarbonate and is cheaper than sodium bicarbonate. The problem with using soda ash to increase alkalinity is it drastically increases pH. This can cause cloudy water and scale formation. Soda ash should only be used to increase total alkalinity if you also need to increase the pH or if only small increases in alkalinity are needed.
there are two primary chemicals on the merket used to do this. 1.) soda ash usually packaged under the name pH rise or pH increaser. 2.)sodium bicarbonate usually packaged under the name alkalinity rise or alkalinity increaser. both of the above chemicals will increase both the pH and Alkalinity of the swimming pool water. always make sure your alkalinity is balanced before making any pH adjustment. it is also important to understand pH and alkalinity always move together and in the same direction. so a pH adjustment will cause a change in your alkalinity level the same way a alkalinity adjustment will cause a change in your pH. when you increase pH, alkalinity will also increase when you decrease pH, alkalinity will also decrease when you raise alkalinity, pH will also rise. always dose chemicals according to the directions on the chemical container and the volume of water you are treating.
Alkalinity
Chlorine will not raise the total alkalinity level in a pool. However, if you are trying to raise the total alkalinity, you can add small amounts of baking soda.
Yes, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate will raise the alkalinity in water. Ash will affect your pH more than bicarb.
Baking soda will not soften (remove calcium hardness) from pool water. It will raise total alkalinity.
Yes, it is soduim bicarbonate, just like the chemical at the pool store
Bicarbonate will RAISE the pH and total alkalinity.
1-2 gallons of muriatic acid will break down the buffer solution(alkalinity in the water). Will then probably have to raise pH back up
Soda ash raises both alkalinity and pH in fresh water; I would assume the same in salt.
Alkalinity is common baking soda. Hatawa
You can (soda ash is used to adjust PH) but your pool supply store may have a cheaper alternative. I used "Alkalinity Increaser" for a year or two until I noticed that the sole ingredient is baking soda. I have heard since that the only difference is that the kind you buy in the grocery store is finer than the pool version (which is good because it's easier to dissolve). I also buy my baking soda at a wholesale club, where it costs a fraction of "Alkalinity Increaser" at a pool store. I agree. I needed to add 25 pounds of pH plus to my pool. At the pool supply it was $12.50 for 4 pounds. At my local Dollar General, it was 50 cents a pound. True, I had to buy 25 boxes but my son had fun ripping them open and throwing the baking soda all over the pool! It usually dissolved before it hit the bottom! I am told by my local pool, expert that using baking soda in place of 1 or 2 pounds of Alkalinity Up is OK but for larger amounts, it may make the water cloudy because baking soda has larger granules than Alkalinity Up.
Ah, did you follow the instructions on the Balance Pac 100 container?
Baking Soda from your grocery store works the same as the Bicarb the pool stores sell to raise PH. The local Wal-mart sells 8 lb bags for close to a dollar a pound. Shop for your best price. Be aware that baking soda will raise your alkalinity as well.
Alkalinity readings for your pool is quite essential. When you increase your alkalinity, that makes it so your pH is more resistant to change due to weather, leaves etc