You can also use alkalinity test strips, though they do not have an accurate reading system.
You only need 25 millilitres (0. 85 fl oz) to complete the test. Remove any excess water from the tube.
Wear gloves as you handle the sulfuric acid in case you spill.
If your alkalinity is higher than 100 ppm, do not add baking soda to the water. Instead, add muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate.
For a circular pool, measure the diameter of the pool and divide it by 2 to find the radius. Square the radius and multiply the number by pi (π). For a triangular pool, multiply the length of the base and the length from the base to the furthest point of the triangle. Divide the result by 2 for the surface area. If you have an irregular shaped pool, you’ll have to find the averages for each measurement. Measure the shortest and longest lengths and add them together. Divide the answer by 2 to find the average length. Repeat the process to find the average width.
If your pool is the same depth throughout, you do not have to take an average measurement.
For example, if you want to go from 60 ppm to 80 ppm in a 10,000 US gal (38,000 L) pool, you would add 2. 5 pounds (1,100 g) of baking soda.
If you need to raise the alkalinity further, wait until the next day to add more baking soda.
To avoid cloudiness in the water, pour the baking soda directly into the skimmer. [13] X Research source
Let the pool run for a full pump cycle, which takes about 10 hours, before swimming. If your alkalinity levels are still off after the first baking soda treatment, add more baking soda to reach the desired ppm.
