Total Alkalinity (TA) acts as a “buffer” to prevent wild pH swings in a swimming pool. Simply put, it helps pH maintain its levels better.
Understanding this relationship shows you how important it is to maintain your TA levels. This is where the total alkalinity calculator can help you out!
This calculator will help you determine whether to increase or decrease TA levels. TA levels should be between 50 and 90 ppm, and anything lower than 50 ppm should be increased.
Output of the Total Alkalinity Calculator
Knowing your pool’s volume is the most important part of using this calculator. If you don’t know it, use our pool volume calculator for a good estimate.
Increasing total alkalinity levels will tell you how much baking soda to use. Yes, baking soda! It is a cheaper alternative to “alkalinity increasers” in the pool stores. As a matter of fact, the main ingredient of those increasers is sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda.
When decreasing TA, muriatic acid is the preferred choice. Please wear gloves, goggles, and a mask when handling muriatic acid as the fumes can be overwhelming and dangerous.
Keep in mind that lowering TA with muriatic acid will also lower pH.
Water Balance Isn’t Complicated!
It isn’t overly difficult to keep your water balanced. Total alkalinity is one piece of the puzzle. Staying on top of testing is a great way to know exactly what is in the water at all times.
Hopefully this calculator makes it that much easier to understand what you need to keep your pool sparkling clean!