Tip:To make efficient use of your swimming pool chemicals, managing good water balance is the main factor

Make sure that you understand the workings of your swimming pool or spa before adding any pool chemicals Having free flowing water circulation and good filtration is important to maintaining a clean and healthy pool or spa

Water balance is the first thing to establish when treating your pool or spa. This helps make sure the later stps like sanitation are effective and use the minimum chemicals required There are three major factors affecting water balance, they are pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness

Calcium hardness

Hardness is the measurement of calcium salts in the swimming pool or spa water and this will vary depending where you live. Low calcium hardness levels (soft water) can lead to corrosion of the materials of construction. Hard water (water high in calcium) can lead to limescale foriming in your pipes and equipment
Calcium Hardness Guide Measures
•    Ideal calcium hardness levels are between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
•    If the measurement is below 75 ppm (mg/l), use Hardness Plus
•    When the level exceeds 200 ppm (mg/l), apply Scale Inhibitor.

pH Measures

pH can range from 1 to 14 where 1 is very acid and 14 very alkaline It is essential to maintain spa water within the 7.2 – 7.6 range which, being mildly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and create the best environment for the swimmers using the pool or spa and also gives  maximum sanitiser efficiency.
•    Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
•    When the level is below apply pH Plus
•    If the measurement is greater than 7.6 use pH Minus
Note
pH in Spas can be difficult to moderate because the water is pumped quickly and the temperature is higher. These things mean pH can vary more than with a pool

pH rises can be caused by this which causes chlorine products such as chlorine granules to lose effectiveness. Significantly greater doses of chlorine sanitiser are then needed avoid this problem by using Bromine. Bromine works effectively over a wider pH range than chlorine Bromine also remains in the spa for longer than chlorine so it reduces the quantity of spa chemicals you use.

Total Alkalinity

Total Alkalinity (TA) acts as a buffer to prevent pH change. The water pH varies drastically when Total Alkalinity levels are very low

•    optimum Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it drops below 80mg/l remedy it with Alkalinity Plus
•    When Total Alkalinity is greater than 140mg/l remedy it with pH Minus to reduce it
The balance of the water needs to be monitored regularly because it is essential to the effectiveness of your other treatments

Test Strips/kits are available for you to test the water regularly.