Baking Soda for Pool Algae
Why there are algae in the swimming pool?
- The chlorine levels of the pool might be too low
- pH of the water is also low
- Lots of plants near the pool and extra dust
- In simple words, there is no chemical balance in the pool.
Whenever the total alkalinity and the pH, these two very important measurements of pool water chemistry, are too low in the pool, just using a very common routine using a chemical to the water can resolve the algae issues.
pH of the Water
The water pH is a magnitude that reveals to us about the water is basic or acidic. It is stated in a number between 0 and 14. When the pH of the water is 7, the water will be neutral. As the water pH is less than 7 it means acidity, and a water pH greater than 7 denotes basicity.
Keeping the eye on the water pH of the swimming pool is important because chlorine is the commonly used pool antiseptic that becomes less effective as the water pH increases. The ideal water pH level of swimming pool is between 7.1 and 7.8. As the level of water, pH raises above that range, the antiseptic properties of chlorine decrease substantially. The water pH of the swimming pool if lower downs it can have detrimental effects.
Total Alkalinity of Swimming Pool
The total alkalinity of pool water is an amount of the intensity of water and alkaline substances. This alkaline substance appears as a buffer against the changes in pH of the water, and as the pool’s total alkalinity is in the ideal range, the water pH inclines to remain stable in its ideal range. When the total alkalinity is too low from the normal range, pH may fluctuate.
Effect of Baking Soda on Pool
Baking Soda is an alkaline substance that, as added to pool water, raises the total alkalinity of the water. This is one of the great options to use the baking soda to increase the alkalinity of the water to the required level will generally also cause the pH of the water to alleviate in the normal range.
Water Testing with Baking Soda
Whenever the pool test kit shows that the pH of the water is below the required level and the total alkalinity level is also low from the optimal range, adding baking soda to the pool appears helpful in bringing both dimensions back to the desired line.
Baking Soda in the Swimming Pool
- To raise the pH and the total alkalinity add 1 and ½ pound of baking soda per 10,000 gallons of water.
- Don’t add too much baking soda in one time as it will increase the pH and the alkalinity too quickly so avoid doing it.
- Retest the total alkalinity and the pH of the swimming pool within six to 24 hours.
- You can add more baking soda if necessary.