In a pool with an alkaline pH level (7.0 to 14) you would use soda ash. If your pH level is acidic (6.0 to 6.9) when you add soda ash (sodium carbonate) to the pool the acidity of the water will convert the sodium carbonate to bicarbonate, which will have the effect of increasing the total alkalinity. There is no way around this reaction when your pH is below 7.0. Just make sure you maintain a pH level above 7.0. For swimmer comfort you should not have your pH below 7.4.
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 is not and 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.
Soda ash (sodium carbonate) raises pH without significantly affecting Total Alkalinity (T/A). Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) raises T/A without significantly affecting pH. pH levels below 7.0 should be corrected immediately to prevent damage to equipment and the pool surface.
Yes, borax can be used to raise pH levels in a pool, but it is not recommended for raising alkalinity as it can affect the pH levels without significantly impacting the alkalinity. It is better to use baking soda or soda ash to raise alkalinity in a pool.
Initially, you can't. What you do to lower alkalinity is first lower the pH to under 7.2, but not lower than 6.9. Then you aerate the pool, by creating bubbles with your brush, or by running a water feature, if you have one. This will lower your alkalinity. Maintain this lower pH and aerating until you get your alkalinity where you want it. Then retest your pH. If it is now too low, you add Mule Team Borax, say a 1/4 a cup, and then retest. The borax will raise your pH without raising your alkalinity. See the poolforum.com for more help if needed.
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.
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.
In the words of the song, where you are usually depends on where you start. In your case, that means that without knowing the size of your pool and how acidic is is to start with, no one can tell you how much to add to bring it up.
Yes, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) will raise the alkalinity of a solution when added, as it is a basic compound. It can be used to increase the alkalinity of water in pools or aquariums, for example.
buy adding Bicarbonate Soda commonly sold as Alc + or Alkalinity Control
The most commonly sold product for that purpose is sodium carbonate, aka soda ash, sold as Ph Up by pool stores and as "Washing Soda" by grocery stores.You can also use 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster (sodium tetraborate). It can be found at many grocery stores. Try using the same amount as you would with PH plus 1 lb. to 10,000 gallons, and wait 2 to 4 hrs. Then check your PH reading. If it's still low, add some more until you get it to 7.2 to 7.8 range.Caution - check your alkalinity before using borax, because borax raises PH only, without affecting your alkalinity much. If your alkalinity is also low you can use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to raise your alkalinity and PH. Baking Soda raises PH and Alkalinity at the same time. Baking Soda has the same ingredients as Alkalinity plus, but half the price. Take a look at this web site for more information on Borax: www.poolsolutions.com/gd/borax_20mule.html
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.
Using sodium bicarbonate to lower pH in a swimming pool is not effective. Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is typically used to raise pH levels in pools. To lower pH in a pool, an acid such as muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate should be used.
what is calcium carbonateBaking Soda and not necessarily remove greenish water. sodium carbonate is used to raise PH and Alkalinity to 7.2-7.6 pH ppm and 80-120 ppm alkalinity.You must use a test kit to find out where your pH is and adjust from there weather you need to go uo using calcium carbonate(baking Soda) or down using hydrachloric or muriatic acid or dry acid.Also you use alkalinity up aka soda ash (sodium bicarbonate) to raise your alkalinity without raising your pH. Kenny Kummer E.M. Systems