Pool Chemistry Points System - Water Balance Made Simple

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Find on Amazon: Taylor K-2006C Pool Test Kit , Liquid Chlorine 12.5% , Muriatic Acid , Sodium Bicarbonate

Quick Answer

It appears you're asking about IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) points, which are hotel loyalty rewards and not related to swimming pool maintenance. However, if you're asking about pool chemistry "points" or levels, this involves maintaining proper water balance through key chemical parameters that work together as a system.

Understanding Pool Chemistry Points System

Pool water chemistry operates on a points-based balance system where each chemical parameter affects the others. Think of it as a scorecard where hitting the right numbers in each category creates perfect water balance.

The Essential Chemistry Points

pH Level (7.4-7.6 points): This is your foundation measurement. pH affects how well chlorine works, swimmer comfort, and equipment longevity. Below 7.0 becomes acidic and corrosive, while above 7.8 reduces chlorine effectiveness by up to 75%.

Free Chlorine (FC) Points: Your sanitizer level depends entirely on your Cyanuric Acid (CYA) level. Use the FC/CYA chart: if CYA is 30ppm, maintain FC at 2-4ppm. If CYA is 50ppm, maintain FC at 3-6ppm. This relationship is crucial for effective sanitization.

Total Alkalinity (TA) Points: Target 80-120ppm for regular chlorine pools, 60-80ppm for salt water generator pools. TA acts as a pH buffer, preventing wild pH swings that make water management difficult.

Calcium Hardness (CH) Points: Maintain 250-350ppm for plaster pools, 150-250ppm for vinyl or fiberglass. Too low causes etching and equipment damage, too high causes scaling and cloudy water.

Step-by-Step Chemistry Balancing Process

1. Test Your Starting Points: Use a quality test kit like Taylor K-2006C to measure pH, FC, TA, and CH. Test CYA separately using the Taylor K-2015 or similar turbidity test.
2. Adjust Total Alkalinity First: If TA is low, add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) at 1.5 lbs per 10,000 gallons to raise TA by 10ppm. If high, use muriatic acid carefully.
3. Balance pH Second: Add muriatic acid to lower pH (1 quart per 10,000 gallons lowers pH by approximately 0.2 points) or sodium carbonate to raise it.
4. Set Calcium Hardness: Add calcium chloride if low (1 lb per 10,000 gallons raises CH by 10ppm). If too high, partial water replacement is the only solution.
5. Establish Proper CYA Level: Add stabilizer (cyanuric acid) at 1 lb per 3,000 gallons to raise CYA by 30ppm. Target 30-50ppm for regular pools, 70-80ppm for salt water pools.
6. Maintain Free Chlorine: Use liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) rather than granular shock. Add 1 gallon of 12.5% liquid chlorine per 10,000 gallons to raise FC by 5ppm.

Advanced Chemistry Point Management

The SLAM Method for Problem Water

When your pool turns green or cloudy, implement the SLAM (Shock Level And Maintain) process. Calculate your shock level based on CYA: multiply CYA by 0.5 for your target shock FC level. Maintain this level until you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test (OCLT).

Salt Water Generator Considerations

SWG pools require different target points: lower TA (60-80ppm) prevents scaling on the cell, and higher CYA (70-80ppm) protects the constantly produced chlorine from UV degradation.

Common Chemistry Point Mistakes

• Chasing pH Without Checking TA: Low TA causes pH bounce, making it impossible to maintain stable pH levels.
• Using Store-Bought Shock: Calcium hypochlorite shock raises CH and pH, creating more problems. Liquid chlorine is cleaner and more predictable.
• Ignoring CYA Levels: Many pool owners never test stabilizer, leading to ineffective chlorine levels or over-chlorination.
• Adding Chemicals Too Quickly: Allow 2-4 hours between adjustments for proper circulation and chemical distribution.

Testing and Maintenance Schedule

Test FC and pH 2-3 times weekly during swimming season. Test TA, CH, and CYA monthly. Always retest 4-6 hours after adding chemicals to verify results before making additional adjustments.

Professional Tips for Perfect Balance

Record your test results to identify trends and seasonal patterns. Keep liquid chlorine and muriatic acid as your primary adjustment chemicals - they're pure, predictable, and don't add unwanted compounds to your water.