Adding baking soda to your pool makes it safe to swim in.The amount you add depends on a number of factors, such as the pool's volume, and even the temperature of the water.If you mix in your baking soda, you'll be ready to go for a swim in no time.
Step 1: Purchase a test kit.
Titration test kits are used to measure the alkalinity in your pool.They can be found in pool specialty stores.The test strips do not have an accurate reading system.
Step 2: At elbow depth, take a water sample from your pool.
Put the tube into the water.The water has not been altered by anything in the air or by sunlight.You only need 25 liters to take the test.Excess water can be removed from the tube.
Step 3: The drops of the thiosulfate should be added.
You don't want to use a lot of drops.The results will be changed by an incorrect amount of sodium thiosulfate.The mixture should be swirled around so the water and chemical don't mix.
Step 4: You can swirl the tube by putting in 5 drops of the alkalinity indicator.
The water will change colors from clear to green.The tube needs to be swirled until it has a consistent color.
Step 5: When the liquid turns red, add the reagent 1 drop at a time.
The water should be mixed after each drop.Put the number of drops in the water.Stop adding sulfuric acid when the solution turns red.If you spill sulfuric acid, you should wear gloves.
Step 6: Take the number of drops and divide it by 10.
You will get the parts per million of alkalinity in your pool water.A pool should be under 100 parts per million.The pool's pH could be affected by anything from lower to higher.Baking soda should not be added to the water if it is higher in alkalinity.Do not add muriatic acid.
Step 7: Find the length and width of your pool.
If you don't know the dimensions, use a measuring tape to determine the length and width of the pool.The total surface area can be found using the 2 numbers.The process is easy for a rectangular pool.Measure the diameter of the pool and divide it by 2 to find the radius.Square the number by pi.If you want to make a triangular pool, divide the base length by the length from the furthest point of the triangle.The result should be divided by 2 for the surface area.You have to find the averages for each measurement if you have an irregular shaped pool.Add the lengths together.To find the average length, divide the answer by 2.To find the average width, repeat the process.
Step 8: The depth of the shallow end and the deep end should be averaged.
Take a tape measure to the bottom of the pool.Divide the depth by 2 to find the average depth of the pool.You don't have to take an average measurement if your pool is the same depth.
Step 9: The volume can be found by using the surface area and depth.
To find the volume of your pool, multiply your two figures together.Depending on your measurement system, this will either be in feet or meters.
Step 10: If you divide the volume by 7.5, you get 1,000.
There are 7.5 US gallons in 1 square foot, but there are 1,000 liters in one square meter.The amount of water in your pool can be determined by the volume of your measurement system.
Step 11: Baking soda can be added per 10,000 US gal of water.
The water's alkalinity will be raised by 10 parts per million.If you want to add baking soda to your pool, you need to adjust the values.If you wanted to go from 60 to 80 parts per million in a 10,000 US gal pool, you would need 2.5 pounds of baking soda.
Step 12: Baking soda can be used only 2 pounds per day.
Adding too much baking soda could raise the water's pH.Before adding more, let the baking soda settle and mix with the water.Wait until the next day to add more baking soda if you need to raise the alkalinity further.
Step 13: The baking soda should be poured into the pool.
As you pour the baking soda, use a circular motion.It might cause some cloudiness in the water.The baking soda will settle at the bottom of the pool.Baking soda can be poured directly into the skimmer.
Step 14: If necessary, adjust the water after 10 hours.
After you retest the water, you need to pump and circulate through a full cycle.Use your test kit to check the alkalinity.It takes about 10 hours for the pool to run for a full pump cycle.If your alkalinity levels are not back to normal, you should add more baking soda.