Alkalinity Calculator
Calculate how much baking soda or acid to adjust your pool total alkalinity (TA).
ALKALINITY CALC
Total Alkalinity Adjustment
Recommended: 80-120 ppm for regular pools
Tip: Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) raises both TA and pH slightly.
Add with pump running, broadcast over surface. Wait 30 min and retest.
Don't add more than 2 lbs per 10,000 gallons at once.
What is Total Alkalinity?
Total Alkalinity (TA) acts as a buffer for pH. It helps prevent pH from swinging wildly. Think of TA as the "anchor" that keeps your pH stable.
Target TA Levels
| Pool Type | Target TA |
|---|---|
| Regular Chlorine Pool | 80-120 ppm |
| Salt Water Generator (SWG) | 60-80 ppm |
| Plaster/Gunite (new) | 80-100 ppm |
TA Too Low?
- pH bounces up and down (hard to control)
- Water becomes corrosive
- Metal staining more likely
TA Too High?
- pH keeps rising (hard to lower)
- Cloudy water more likely
- Scale formation on surfaces and equipment
For educational purposes only — full disclaimer ↓