Circulation
Testing your pool at least once each week is important for maintaining adequate water balance and sanitizer levels as well as ensuring swimmer comfort. Test strips are a quick means (only 30 seconds) to test the pool for adequate sanitizer levels as well as pH and total alkalinity.
Proper testing also ensures that calcium levels are maintained and that there are no metals present in the pool water.
In order to prevent scaling or corrosive action and to achieve maximum swimmer comfort, the pool water should be balanced to the following levels.
| Pool Surface/ppm | Marcite | Vinyl | Fiberglass | Painted | Tile | Exposed Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Chlorine Bromine | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 |
| Free Chlorine | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 | 2.0-4.0 |
| Combined Chlorine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| pH | 7.4-7.6 | 7.4-7.6 | 7.4-7.6 | 7.4-7.6 | 7.4-7.6 | 7.4-7.6 |
| Total Alkalinity | 80-120 | 120-140 | 70-100 | 80-120 | 80-120 | 80-120 |
| Calcium Hardness | 250-400 | 200-300 | 250-400 | 250-400 | 250-400 | 250-400 |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 300-3000 | 300-3000 | 300-3000 | 300-3000 | 300-3000 | 300-3000 |
| Iron | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Copper | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stabilizer | 40-100 | 40-100 | 40-100 | 40-100 | 40-100 | 40-100 |
| Phosphate (ppb) | 0-200 | 0-200 | 0-200 | 0-200 | 0-200 | 0-200 |
NOTE: Bring your water to your Regal® dealer every 2-3 weeks for full professional water analysis
How Often Should You Test Your Water?
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Should You Test Your Fill Water?
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Balancing pH
The pH of the pool should be tested and adjusted once each week.
pH is the measure of acid and base in the pool water. The pH of the pool should be tested and adjusted, if necessary, once each week for testing pH.
If the pH of the pool water drifts to the acid side of the scale, corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment can occur. If the pH of the pool water drifts above 7.6 to the base side, scaling, deposits, and cloudy water can occur.
Use Regal® pH Plus to increase the pH of the pool. To lower the pH of the pool, use Regal® pH Minus. Follow the label directions for the proper amount of the products to add based upon test results and pool size.
Take a sample of water to your Regal® dealer every 2-3 weeks for complete test and analysis.
NOTE: Always follow label directions when adding any pool maintenance product to the pool. Never mix products together. If unsure how products are to be used, contact your Regal® Dealer.
Why is pH Important?
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Calcium Hardness
Calcium Hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium in the pool water. Low calcium hardness levels can cause plaster finish etching and can shorten the life of vinyl liners. High calcium levels can result in calcium deposits on the pool surfaces as well as the pool equipment.
The proper range for calcium hardness in pool water is 175-275ppm (Pool Finish and Water Temperature Dependent). Consult with your Regal® dealer for more information based on your area. Your Regal® dealer can test for calcium hardness on a regular basis when you take a sample of your pool water in for analysis.
To increase calcium hardness, use Regal® Calcium Increaser. Follow the label directions for dosage rates based upon pool volume and test results. If calcium hardness levels are high, Regal® Metal Out should be used to prevent deposits or scaling on the pool surface or on pool equipment as well as to prevent metal stains.
If the calcium levels are exceedingly high (in excess of 450 ppm), partial drainage of the pool may be required. Your Regal® dealer can advise you of the best method for treating your pool if you encounter high calcium hardness.
If tests indicate that you have extremely high calcium levels in your pool, take a sample of your fill water (water used to fill the pool) to your Regal® dealer for analysis as well.
What is Calcium Hardness?
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Total Alkalinity
To prevent the pH from “drifting” or “bouncing” up and down, the proper amount of acid buffers, or total alkalinity, must be maintained in the pool. The pool should be tested weekly with a total alkalinity of 80-125ppm (Plaster Finishes) and 125-150ppm (Vinyl, Fiberglass and other Non-Masonry Finishes) maintained.
Low total alkalinity can not only result in pH bounce and fluctuations, but it can also lead to corrosiveness and the possibility of increased staining. High total alkalinity can also cause the pH to fluctuate, the pool to become cloudy, and can possibly cause scaling.
To lower total alkalinity, follow the directions from your Regal® dealer. To raise total alkalinity, follow the label directions on Regal® Alkalinity Plus.
What is Alkalinity?
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Metals
There should not be any metals present in the pool water. Metals can cause staining in the pool and can cause the pool to turn colors. The most common types of metals that appear in pool water are copper, iron, and manganese. Your Regal® dealer can test your pool water for the presence of any type of metals.
If tests indicate that metals are present in the pool, Regal® Metal Out should be used on a regular basis to prevent staining. You should determine the source of the metals and remove if possible.