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In a pool with an alkaline pH level (7.0 to 14) you would use soda ash. If your pH level is acidic (6.0 to 6.9) when you add soda ash (sodium carbonate) to the pool the acidity of the water will convert the sodium carbonate to bicarbonate, which will have the effect of increasing the total alkalinity. There is no way around this reaction when your pH is below 7.0. Just make sure you maintain a pH level above 7.0. For swimmer comfort you should not have your pH below 7.4.

Increasing the pH of the water without affecting the alkalinity is very easy, but there is a trick. With the pump motor on and water circulating, add the sodium bicarb. in the deep end of the pool and work your way around the perimeter. This will raise the pH with minimal effect on the alkalinity.

Keep your pH around 7.6-7.8, not 7.2-7.4. Most "pool experts" tell you 7.2-7.4 but they are using an index that your local water company uses which obviously is not and should not be used for pool. There's a big difference between a water treatment system and your pool. You can't treat them the same.

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14y ago
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Anonymous

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3y ago
Do you mean to add sodium bicarbonate? (Effectively baking soda) Or do you mean sodium carbonate that you referred to in the beginning, to increase ph and minimize increasing alkalinity?

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Q: How do you raise the pH in a swimming pool without affecting the total alkalinity?
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Raise pH level in swimming pool?

Soda ash (sodium carbonate) raises pH without significantly affecting Total Alkalinity (T/A). Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) raises T/A without significantly affecting pH. pH levels below 7.0 should be corrected immediately to prevent damage to equipment and the pool surface.


What will result if sodium bicarbonate is used to lower ph in a swimming pool?

Bicarbonate will RAISE the pH and total alkalinity.


Will chlorine shock raise the TA?

Chlorine will not raise the total alkalinity level in a pool. However, if you are trying to raise the total alkalinity, you can add small amounts of baking soda.


How do you lower alkalinity but not change pH in a swimming pool?

Initially, you can't. What you do to lower alkalinity is first lower the pH to under 7.2, but not lower than 6.9. Then you aerate the pool, by creating bubbles with your brush, or by running a water feature, if you have one. This will lower your alkalinity. Maintain this lower pH and aerating until you get your alkalinity where you want it. Then retest your pH. If it is now too low, you add Mule Team Borax, say a 1/4 a cup, and then retest. The borax will raise your pH without raising your alkalinity. See the poolforum.com for more help if needed.


Will baking soda raise alkalinity?

Yes, it is true.


How do you raise alkalinity level in pools?

buy adding Bicarbonate Soda commonly sold as Alc + or Alkalinity Control


Can you use borax to raise pH in swimming pools?

The most commonly sold product for that purpose is sodium carbonate, aka soda ash, sold as Ph Up by pool stores and as "Washing Soda" by grocery stores.You can also use 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster (sodium tetraborate). It can be found at many grocery stores. Try using the same amount as you would with PH plus 1 lb. to 10,000 gallons, and wait 2 to 4 hrs. Then check your PH reading. If it's still low, add some more until you get it to 7.2 to 7.8 range.Caution - check your alkalinity before using borax, because borax raises PH only, without affecting your alkalinity much. If your alkalinity is also low you can use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to raise your alkalinity and PH. Baking Soda raises PH and Alkalinity at the same time. Baking Soda has the same ingredients as Alkalinity plus, but half the price. Take a look at this web site for more information on Borax: www.poolsolutions.com/gd/borax_20mule.html


How do you raise the pH level in the pool?

there are two primary chemicals on the merket used to do this. 1.) soda ash usually packaged under the name pH rise or pH increaser. 2.)sodium bicarbonate usually packaged under the name alkalinity rise or alkalinity increaser. both of the above chemicals will increase both the pH and Alkalinity of the swimming pool water. always make sure your alkalinity is balanced before making any pH adjustment. it is also important to understand pH and alkalinity always move together and in the same direction. so a pH adjustment will cause a change in your alkalinity level the same way a alkalinity adjustment will cause a change in your pH. when you increase pH, alkalinity will also increase when you decrease pH, alkalinity will also decrease when you raise alkalinity, pH will also rise. always dose chemicals according to the directions on the chemical container and the volume of water you are treating.


How do raise the alkalinity in my pool?

Adding 2 oz. of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) per 1000 gallons of water will raise the alkalinity 10 parts per million. Despite raising the alkalinity to the desired level in my vinyl-sided pool the pH was not adversely affected. Increasing the pH of the water without affecting the alkalinity is very easy, but there is a trick. With the pump motor on and water circulating, add the sodium bicarb. in the deep end of the pool and work your way around the perimeter. This will raise the pH with minimal effect on the alkalinity. Keep your pH around 7.6-7.8, not 7.2-7.4. Most "pool experts" tell you 7.2-7.4 but they are using an index that your local water company uses which obviously should not be used for pool. There's a big difference between a water treatment system and your pool. You can't treat them the same. The chart you need is in the link below.


Does soda ash increase alkilinityin pools?

Yes, soda ash or sodium bicarbonate will raise the alkalinity in water. Ash will affect your pH more than bicarb.


By what other name is calcium carbonate sold and will it eliminate greenish swimming pool color?

what is calcium carbonateBaking Soda and not necessarily remove greenish water. sodium carbonate is used to raise PH and Alkalinity to 7.2-7.6 pH ppm and 80-120 ppm alkalinity.You must use a test kit to find out where your pH is and adjust from there weather you need to go uo using calcium carbonate(baking Soda) or down using hydrachloric or muriatic acid or dry acid.Also you use alkalinity up aka soda ash (sodium bicarbonate) to raise your alkalinity without raising your pH. Kenny Kummer E.M. Systems


How do you raise pH levels in a inground pool?

by adding sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonateAnswer by TSYou can use sodium carbonate (soda ash -- Washing Soda at Walmart) or you can use 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster. It can be found at many grocery stores. Try using the same amount as you would with PH plus 1 lb. to 10,000 gallons, and wait 2 to 4 hrs. Then check your PH reading. If it's still low, add some more until you get it to 7.2 to 7.8 range. Caution - check your alkalinity before using borax, because borax raises PH only, without affecting your alkalinity much. If your alkalinity is also low you can use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to raise your alkalinity and PH. Baking Soda raises PH and Alkalinity at the same time. Baking Soda has the same ingredients as Alkalinity plus, but half the price. Take a look at this web site for more information on Borax: www.poolsolutions.com/gd/borax_20mule.html