Total alkalinity is closely associated with pH but rather than a measure of hydrogen ion concentration it is a measure of the ability of a solution to neutralize hydrogen ions. Expressed in parts per million (ppm), total alkalinity is the result of alkaline materials including carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides - mostly bicarbonates. This acid neutralizing (buffering) capacity of water is desirable because it helps prevent wide variations in pH whenever small amounts of acid or alkali are added to the pool. Total alkalinity is a measure of water's resistance to change in pH.
Raising total Alkalinity - Total alkalinity can be raised by the addition of bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate, baking soda). 1.4 lbs. bicarbonate of soda per 10,000 gallons will raise total alkalinity 10 ppm.
Increase GALLONS IN POOL (ppm) 1,000 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 50,000 10 0.14 lbs 0.7 lbs. 1.4 lbs. 2.1 lbs. 2.8 lbs. 3.5 lbs. 7 lbs. 20 0.28 lbs. 1.4 lbs. 2.8 lbs. 4.2 lbs. 5.6 lbs. 7.0 lbs. 14 lbs. 30 0.42 lbs. 2.1 lbs. 4.2 lbs. 6.3 lbs. 8.4 lbs. 10.5 lbs. 21 lbs. 40 0.56 lbs. 2.8 lbs. 5.6 lbs. 8.4 lbs. 11.2 lbs. 14.0 lbs. 28 lbs. 50 0.70 lbs. 3.5 lbs. 7 lbs. 10.5 lbs 14.0 lbs. 17.5 lbs. 35 lbs.
