These are the average ideal ranges however there are times when it can be desirable or necessary to operate outside of one or more of these ranges.
Check pool chemical levels.
Your test strip container may provide general guidelines on balancing chemical levels.
Commercial pools are required to check chlorine levels every hour and record their findings in a log however the home pool owner should check their ph and chlorine levels 2 3x per week.
Balance the water accordingly.
Checking pool and spa chemical levels is an important practice that pool owners and operators often overlook.
Total alkalinity levels tend to fluctuate less so weekly testing is fine.
These are the ideal levels for pool chemistry or the most acceptable range for proper pool water chemistry.
The four chemical levels critical to healthy water are free chlorine calcium hardness ph and total alkalinity.
If it s within the healthy range of 7 4 7 6 you don t need to do anything.
But if the water is off kilter a little bit you will need a ph balancing chemical to get it back to where it needs to be.
If ph level has changed check the ta level.
Ph 7 4 to 7 6 total alkalinity 80 to 120 ppm.
Remove the test strip from the water and compare its results to the chart provided in the package.
Swimming pool chemical testing is critical because it validates water quality and determines the necessary dosages for correcting water chemistry issues.