I need some info on a salt water inground pool?

Question

I have a salt water inground pool, I check the ph level and the chlorine level every week. I always have to add muratic acid to get the ph level up but cant seem to get the ph and the chlorine level to come out right. Do I need to add a ph stabilizer? and if I do.....How often???

Answer 1

There is not a pH stabalizer. You need a chlorine stabalizer known as cyanuric acid (CYA). In salt water pools it should be between 50-80ppm. The salt water chlorine generator produces small carbon dioxide bubbles. When carbon dioxide is released from the water it causes the pH to rise. This is unavoidable in a salt water pool. You can slow the rise by keeping your TA at about 60ppm.

Answer 2

In pool chemistry Acid is used to lower the pH and salt pools need acid because the chlorine they produce is alkaline and over time will raise the pH and require downward adjustment!  

Break out your chlorine makers owners manual and see what levels they recommend for Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Salinity and Cyanuric Acid levels.  Most chlorine generators need 50-70ppm of CYA to protect the low amount of chlorine they produce!

Your Total Alkalinity can be modified with addition of Baking Soda.  Yup!  But only do this if you have a means to test Total Alkalinity.  Both pH and TA should be monitored and adjusted as needed.

Do yourself a favor and purchase a salinity test kit.  Use this to verify salinity before changes are made.  With this unit you will likely find your chlorine generator is indicating incorrect salinity levels, surprise, and really is telling you it needs to be cleaned of calcium buildup.  There are two procedures, one using your hose with a high pressure nozzle and the second using a dilute acid wash to cook out the calcium.  When complete you are likely to see the unit indicate correctly the salinity level.  This process will also restore chlorine production to near new levels.

Do you know your pools volume?  Very helpful to know and use to properly dose your pool and attain the expected result!