Adjusting of the ph value
The right pH value is essential for the water quality. The optimal pH value should always be between 7.0 and 7.4. Values that are too low or too high can have more or less serious effects on the health and the components of the pool, depending on the deviation. Skin and eye irritation, a reduction in the effectiveness of disinfectants and heavy limescale deposits can be the consequences of an incorrectly set pH value.
Frequently asked questions for Adjusting of the pH value:
The ideal pH value is between 7.0 and 7.4. If the pH value is too high (above 7.4) the water tends to form lime deposits (turbidity of the water). Eye and skin irritation could occur. The disinfection effect could also be reduced. If the value is too low (below 7.0), the water becomes increasingly corrosive. Odour nuisance and irritation of the mucous membranes may occur. We recommend measuring the value twice a week. For pH regulation we recommend 'ph + (plus) granules' or 'ph - (minus) granules'.
Cause: Lime precipitates, not filtered particles
Solution: Adjust the pH level to 7.2 to 7.4 (by adding pH-Plus or pH-Minus). If there are suspended matters turn off the circulation pump and remove the flakes on the bottom with the pool cleaner after about 10-12 hours. Lime precipitates in the pool water (turbidity, shimmering white coating on the water surface, etc.) usually disappear shortly after adjusting the pH level and after the addition of a flocculants (while the filter system is running - WARNING: prohibited with cartridge filter systems and filter balls; the filter can stick!). Backwash thoroughly. Clean cartridge filter or replace by a new one.
Possible Causes: Faulty filter function, too many organic substances
Solution: Backwashing. If the filter system is calcified, use an acidic filter cleaner. If the filter system is ok, make a shock chlorination, meaning raise the chlorine level of the pool water up to 3 mg/l for a short time. The addition of flocculant is recommended as an additional measure (WARNING: prohibited with cartridge filter systems and filter balls; the filter can stick!). Backwash thoroughly. Clean cartridge filter or replace by a new one.
Possible cause: Too little disinfectant in the water, algae growth
Solution: Adjust the pH level to 7.2 to 7.4 by adding pH-Plus or pH-Minus. Let the filter system run continuously during the first 1-2 days. For disinfection with chlorine: Wipe dead algae from the pool walls. Remove algae from bottom with a brush and an aspirator. Make a shock chlorination, meaning raise the chlorine level of the pool water up to 3 mg/l. The addition of an algae protection is recommended. Backwash thoroughly. The added chlorine has degraded after a few days. Backwash thoroughly. If the water is not clear after 1-2 days, repeat the procedure. Cartridge filter system: Frequently clean or replace the cartridge. Alternatively, empty the pool completely, clean thoroughly and refill. After adjusting the pH value, treat the pool water with algicide to prevent new algae grow.
Possible cause: Iron deposits in the water
Solution: Adjust the pH level to 7.2 to 7.4 by adding pH-Plus or pH-Minus. Add flocculant. (WARNING: prohibited with cartridge filter systems and filter balls; the filter can stick!) Extend the filter runtime, backwash the filter system thoroughly. In the case of a cartridge filter system, clean the cartridge regularly and replace it if necessary.
Possible cause: Inadequate chlorine dosing, non-degraded organic substances
Solution: Adjust the pH level to 7.0 to 7.4 by adding pH-Plus or pH-Minus. After a shock chlorination up to ca. 3 mg/l this smell will disappear after a short time.
Possible cause: Inadequate chlorine dosing, non-degraded organic substances
Solution: Adjust the pH level to 7.0 to 7.4 by adding pH-Plus or pH-Minus. If there is too little chlorine in the water, increase the chlorine content. If the chlorine content is too high, reduce the dosage or drain the pool water and refill with fresh water. Again, pay attention to the pH value.
Take a bucket of warm water, add the required amount of chemical for your pool and stir well. Then empty the bucket with the mixture evenly into the pool with the filter system switched on (circulating).
The lid of our chemical articles also serves as a dosing aid.
Our chemistry must be equipped with a safety lock for the protection of children. This requires some strength to open.
Safety data sheets are stored with the respective chemical article on our homepage. If you still cannot find what you are looking for, please contact us via our form on our helpdesk.
The correct pH value in the pool
The pH value - the p stands for the abbreviation pondus or potentia, the H for hydrogenii - of the pool water is one of the most important factors in water quality and care. It provides information about the concentration of hydrogen ions in the pool water, which roughly means that the pH value indicates whether the water is acidic, neutral or alkaline. The optimum value for your pool water should always be between 7.0 and 7.4. 7.0 is the value at which the water is neutral, i.e. neither alkaline nor acidic. Alkaline - which in the broadest sense means basic - has a pH value above 7.0. Acidic water is defined as having a pH value below 7.0. This is the basic rule: bases increase and acids decrease the pH value.
However, the terms "hard" or "soft water" are more commonly used. Hard (alkaline) water usually has a pH value above 7.0, soft (acidic) water a pH value below 7.0. The pH value of tap water varies and can range from 6.5 to 9.0. The pH value is important because too high or too low a value significantly increases the risk of damage to people and pools. If the pH is too high or too low, the effect of water care products - such as disinfectants or algae killers - is weakened. Regular measurement of the pH value of your pool water from 1 to 2 times a week is therefore essential.
What happens if the pH value in the pool is too low?
In general, a too low pH value - below 7.0 on the scale - means that the pool water is too acidic. We speak of soft water at values below 7.0. The consequences of a too low value can be: The effect of flocculant is inhibited by a value that is too low. The smell of chlorine is intensified. The pool water becomes increasingly corrosive and decomposes metallic parts of the pool. However, a pH value that is too low tends to occur less frequently.
What happens if the pH value in the pool is too high?
A too high pH value is more frequent and more likely. It is sometimes mistakenly believed that alkaline values do not have a serious effect on the bathing water. This is probably due to the fact that acids have fallen into disrepute in the diet.
Bath water that is too alkaline, i.e. has a value above 7.0 or 7.4, destroys the natural balance of acids and bases on the mucous membranes and the skin surface and can lead to increased irritation. A value of more than 7.4 gradually makes the water cloudy, as more lime deposits are formed. The effect of flocculants and disinfectants is strongly inhibited by a value that is too high. The harder the water - which corresponds to pH-values from 7.0 - the more calcareous it is and the more lime deposits develop in the pool.
What influences the pH value?
The water temperature, environmental influences and bathing frequency have a significant effect on the pH value. Regular checks once or twice a week are therefore necessary for health and safety reasons.
Using test strips and measuring devices, you can check the pH value for the ideal value of 7.0 to 7.4. If the value you have measured is too low or too high, pH value lifters or pH value reducers help you to reach the ideal value. The aqua correct products from Steinbach are produced in Austria, tested according to strict quality standards and are ideally suited for optimal water treatment. pH value lowering or raising agents, but also disinfectants and flocculants change the value to a greater or lesser extent. After the addition of chemical agents, the pH value should therefore be measured at intervals of several hours in order to obtain a meaningful result.
Hard water, which naturally contains more lime, increases the pH value. With hard water, it is advisable to use a hardness stabiliser in addition to a pH reducer. This reduces lime deposits and prevents water clouding. As with all chemical additives, please observe the warnings.
Note
The use of well water as pool water should be avoided as it contains a large amount of iron and copper and can be a romping ground for pathogens. A significant increase in the use of chemical water care products, especially a high concentration of chlorine and other auxiliary agents, especially flocculants, is required to adjust and disinfect well water to the correct pH value of 7.0 to 7.4. If the well water contains a lot of iron oxides, it also turns greenish or brownish when chlorine is added.