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Pool Maintenance /Water Chemistry

Test Ideal

Range Acceptable

Range Problem

Range Corrective

Action

pH (Chlorine) 7.2 - 7.6 7.2 - 7.6 too high or too

low

Add acid or sodium

bisulfate to lower.

Add soda ash to

raise.

pH (Bromine) 7.2 - 7.8 7.2 - 7.8 too high or too

low

Add acid or sodium

bisulfate to lower.

Add soda ash to

raise.

Free Chlorine, PPM

(Active Germicidal

Form) 1 - 3 PPM 1 - 3 PPM over 5.0 PPM

Too low add

chlorine.

Too high cut back on

chlorine additions.

Combined Chlorine,

PPM

(Total minus Free

Chlorine)

0 - 0.3 PPM 0 - 1.0 PPM over 1.0 PPM Too high

superchlorinate.

Total Chlorine, PPM

(Free plus Combined

Chlorine) 1 - 3 PPM 1 - 3 PPM over 3.0 PPM

Too high cut back on

chlorine additions.

Superchlorination 10 PPM 10 PPM n/a

How much will be

required depends on

product used and

pool condition.

Bromine, PPM 3 - 5 PPM 3 - 5 PPM over 10 PPM

Too low add bromine

or shock

Too high cut back on

bromine additions.

Total Alkalinity, PPM 80 - 120 PPM 80 - 180 PPM over 180 PPM

Too low add sodium

bicarbonate.

Too high consider

adding acid.

Calcium Hardness,

PPM, (Vinyl) 80 - 120 PPM 80 - 400 PPM over 400 PPM

Too low add Calcium

chloride.

Too high add

sequestering agent.

Calcium Hardness,

PPM, (Gunite) 150-200 PPM 150-400 PPM over 400 PPM

Too low add Calcium

chloride.

Too high add

sequestering agent.

Cyanuric Acid, PPM,

(Frost belt) 20 - 40 PPM 20 - 150 PPM over 150 PPM

Too low add

Cyanuric Acid.

Too high replace

some water.

Cyanuric Acid, PPM,

(Sun belt) 40 - 60 PPM * 40 - 150 PPM** over 150 PPM

Too low add

Cyanuric Acid.

Too high replace

some water.

Iron, PPM 0.0 PPM 0.0 PPM any measurable

amount

Add metal

treatment. At least

one dose per 0.5

PPM.

Copper, PPM

(Mineral Sanitizer or

Ionizer) 0.1 - 0.3 PPM

0.1 - 0.3 PPM

(with pH

favoring 7.2) over 0.3 PPM

Follow man.

instructions

Copper, (unplanned

additions, natural

sources or corrosion) 0.0 PPM

0.1 - 0.3 PPM

(with pH

favoring 7.2) over 0.3 PPM

Add metal

treatment. At least

one dose per 0.5

PPM.

Manganese, PPM 0.0 PPM 0.0 PPM any measurable

amount

Add metal

treatment. At least

one dose per 0.5

PPM

Nitrates, PPM 0 - 10.0 PPM 0 - 40 PPM over 40 PPM

No practical solution.

Removing

phosphates

mitigates their

presence.

Phosphates, PPB 0 - 100 PPB 0 - 250 PPB over 250 PPB Phosphate removers

are available. If

untreated, higher

chlorine usage

results.

Total Dissolved

Solids, PPM

no salt chlorine gen 300 - 2000 PPM 300 - 3000 PPM over 3000 PPM

Replace some of the

water.

Total Dissolve Solids,

PPM

w/salt chlorine gen 3000-4000 PPM 3000-5000 PPM over 5000 PPM

Test salt level and

consider replacing

some water

Salt, PPM

with salt chlorine

generator

Manufacturer's

Recommendation Manufacturer's

Recommendation Too high or too

low.

Add salt, if too low.

Replace some

water, if too high.

Biguanide, PPM 30 - 50 PPM 30 - 50 PPM Too high or too

low.

Add Biguanide, if too

low.

Too high, reduce

additions.

Biguanide Shock,

PPM

Suggested application is 1-quart

per 7500 gallons. Enough has to be

added to register a 5-10 PPM level

and produce clear water.

Varies with spa use.

Too high or too

low.

Add Biguanide

Shock, if too low.

Too high, reduce

additions.