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Attention: Water balance is very important to ensure that your swimming pool chemicals work properly and for as long as they should

Before adding pool chemicals it is important that you read and familiarise yourself with the workings of your spa / pool and support equipment. A clear, clean fresh spa or pool is only possible if you have good filtration and clear water flow

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 The main criteria affecting water balance are calcium hardness, pH and Total Alkalinity.

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 can cause damage to your pool materials. High calcium hardness levels (hard water) often leads to the formation of scale in pipe work and equipment.
these are guideline levels
•    Calcium Hardness should be between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
•    When the measurement drops below 75 ppm (mg/l), apply Hardness Plus
•    If the level exceeds 200 ppm (mg/l), use 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 slightly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and give the best conditions for the swimmers enjoying the pool or spa and also ensures  maximum sanitiser efficiency.
•    Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
•    If the level drops below use pH Plus
•    When the measurement is above 7.6 use pH Minus
Note
pH in Spas can be hard to manage because the water is circulated fast and the temperature is higher. These things mean that pH might vary more than with a pool

pH rises can be caused by this which causes chlorine products such as chlorine tablets to lose effectiveness. Significantly greater doses of chlorine sanitiser are then needed You can avoid this by using Bromine which is more stable over a larger range of pH than Chlorine Bromine also remains in the spa for longer than chlorine so it reduces the quantity of spa chemicals you use.

Total Alkalinity

pH Changes are buffered by total alkalinity If TA levels are too low the pH will fluctuate widely.
High levels of TA will not only affect water clarity, but also make pH adjustments extremely difficult.
•    optimum Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it drops below 80mg/l use Alkalinity Plus
•    When Total Alkalinity is above 140mg/l use pH Minus to reduce it
Water balance should be checked regularly and, certainly, every time you top up or refill your pool or spa.

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