The 3 key parameters of water balance

The pH

pH is the key to successful water treatment. Water is characterized by a pH generally between 7.0 and 7.8 (on a scale of 0 to 14, pH expresses acidity or basicity).

• From 0 to 6.9 said the water is acidic
• 7 to 14 said water is basic
• In swimming pools, the optimal pH is between 7.2 and 7.4 (corresponding to the pH of tear fluid)

Water is naturally loaded with dissolved elements, calcium and magnesium salts, which influence both the balance and stability of its pH. pH corrections are made by adding acidic or basic products, packaged in powder or liquid form.

• Powder: pH minus and pH plus correctors are recommended for their safe use
• In liquid: correctors, designed for automatic dispensers, are more powerful, but their use is more restrictive

In practice, the harder the water is (highly charged with dissolved elements), the more difficult it is to permanently modify its pH using acid correctors.

An unbalanced pH can cause various problems:

• Change in the color of the water, which is therefore no longer completely translucent,
• Less effective disinfectant products,
• Eye and skin irritation,
• Development of limescale or algae in the swimming pool,
• Deterioration of equipment: fasteners, coating, water filtration system, etc.

The alkalinity of water

The alkalinity of water, or its TAC (Total Alkalimetric Title), characterizes the buffering capacity of the water, that is to say the ability of an acidic or basic product to influence the pH of the water. The higher the TAC, the more difficult it is to vary the pH of the water. Generally speaking, the TAC should be between 8°F and 15°F, or between 80 ppm and 150 ppm - for information 1°F = 10 ppm = 10 mg/l of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate).

The TAC value is increased with the addition of the product ACTI Alkafix (based on sodium bicarbonate) and decreases with the addition of ACTI pH Minus liquid (35° sulfuric acid) or ACTI pH Minus powder (sodium bisulfate).

An unbalanced TAC can cause:

• Cloudy pool water,
• The appearance of tartar deposits,
• Significant and irreversible damage to the coverings, whether it is the liner, the reinforced membrane, the coatings and the tile joints,
• Increased use of pH correction products, which will have difficulty stabilizing.

The Hydrotimetric Title of water (water hardness)

The Hydrotimetric Title of water (TH) is determined by the concentration of calcium (Ca++) and magnesium (Mg++).

Water is said to be soft if its TH is less than 10°F (1°F = 10 mg/l of CaCO3). It is said to be hard if it is greater than 35°F. It is important to keep the TH at a value close to 15°F.

The TH value is increased with the addition of the product ACTI TH + (calcium chloride based).

It is possible to stabilize limestone (TH) with the addition of the product Acti Anti-Kalk .

Too high a hardness can cause:

• Limescale deposits in the pool, rough walls, scaling of your filter and heat exchangers,
• Skin and eye irritation for swimmers,
• Cloudy, whitish water...

Conversely, if the water is too soft, this can also promote corrosion of metal parts or walls for concrete pools, as well as eye irritation.

Taylor's table

The Taylor table allows you to check if the water is balanced and to adjust the three parameters (TAC, pH, TH) in order to obtain this balance with a pH value balancing at 7.2.

Using this table is simple. Simply measure the TAC, pH, and TH values ​​and enter them on the table.

• If its 3 points are aligned, then the water is balanced
• Otherwise, the water will need to be balanced

Steps to follow to balance water with a pH of 7.2:

• Check the TH value. If it is less than 200 mg/l, increase its value to 200 mg/l. Otherwise, keep its value (it is very difficult to decrease the TH value).
• Place a point on the pH scale at 7.2 and draw a straight line through the TH value and pH = 7.2
• This line intersects the TAC scale, thus giving its ideal value to guarantee balanced water
• Make TAC adjustments based on the ideal value found (increase or decrease the TAC to obtain this value)
• Adjust pH to 7.2

It is therefore imperative to ensure the correct balance of the water (pH, TAC and TH) in order to maintain healthy water (non-aggressive and non-scaling) promoting the optimal action of the disinfectant used.

It is recommended to check the pH and disinfectant level at least once a week.

Finally, it should be noted that the high water temperature promotes limescale deposits, requiring the use of ACTI Anti-Kalk .

Do you have any questions? Do not hesitate to contact us!