Pool Alkalinity Adjustment Calculator

The buffer that keeps pH stable

Total alkalinity acts as a buffer against rapid pH swings - low alkalinity lets pH bounce around unpredictably even with careful chemical dosing, which is why balancing alkalinity is usually addressed before fine-tuning pH.

Worked example

For a 20,000-gallon pool currently at 60 ppm total alkalinity, targeting 100 ppm:

Dose = (20000/10000) x ((100-60)/10) x 1.5 = 12.0 lbs baking soda

Total Alkalinity Range	Assessment
Below 80 ppm	Low - pH will be unstable
80 - 120 ppm	Ideal range for most pools
Above 150 ppm	High - can cause cloudy water and scaling