Category: Water Balance

The Saturation Index (SI) is a method used to determine if water will deposit or dissolve calcium carbonate. It considers five balance factors: pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, temperature, and total dissolved solids. Sequestering agents can enhance the solubility of calcium carbonate, reducing scale formation and potentially shifting the balance point of the SI to…

Temperature is a physical factor that affects water balance. It becomes significant under extreme conditions, such as in spas with high water temperatures (up to 104°F). Temperature is also a factor represented in the Saturation Index, which affects water chemistry. It can influence the growth of algae in pool water and affect the readings of…

Borate refers to the borate ion [B(OH) –], which is a form of the chemical element boron. It is found in various fruits, vegetables, seawater, and saline lakes, and can also be produced from boric acid, a salt of which is Sodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate. Borate is used in the pool industry for pH buffering, algae…

Muriatic Acid is another name for hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a compound that is formed when hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is used in an oxidation reaction, or after it has finished killing organisms, or when chlorine is destroyed by sunlight. The amount of acid produced is almost equal to the amount of hydroxide produced,…

Cyanuric acid is a conditioner and stabilizer for pools. It is also known as Stabilizer, Conditioner, or 2,4,6-trihydroxy-s-triazine. This white, granular solid chemical reduces chlorine loss due to ultraviolet rays from sunlight. It is not toxic and does not significantly penetrate the skin. It is used in commercial or public swimming pools in the U.S.…

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refer to the total weight of all soluble matter in the water. This includes everything that has dissolved in the water and remained, such as minerals, cyanurates, chlorides, suntan lotion, dirt, and other substances like hardness, alkalinity, sodium, sulfates, salts. TDS can be estimated by measuring the water’s electrical conductivity, which…

Calcium hardness refers to the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. These minerals enter the water from the soil and rocks that the water flows over from its source to your tap. The hardness level of water depends on the type of rocks and soil it flows over. For instance, water flowing…

Total alkalinity is a measure of the total amount of alkaline materials dissolved in the water. It acts as a pH buffer, preventing the pH from decreasing. It indicates the water’s resistance to pH change and its ability to neutralize acid. It is also a measure of the soluble minerals present in the water. While…

The pH of pool water is a crucial aspect of pool and spa care. The term “pH” stands for power (mathematical) and hydrogen, and it indicates how acidic or basic a solution is. The ideal pH for pool water is considered to be 7.5, as this level prevents most water balance problems and is in…

Water balance refers to the process of maintaining optimal conditions in a body of water, such as a pool or spa, by managing various parameters. These parameters include pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Temperature, TDS (Total Dissolve Solids), Cyanuric Acid (Conditioner or Stabilizer), and Borate pH buffer. A pool is considered “in balance” when these…