Pool chemical calculator

Enter the results of a full water test and get every dose in the order to add them: calcium, salt and stabilizer first, then alkalinity, then pH, and chlorine last, with the wait between steps.

All-in-one pool calculator

gal

Not sure? Work out your pool volume.

ppm
ppm
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°F
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Two things to fix. Start with ph.

  1. pH 7.9 → 7.5

    Lower it

    Add

    15fl oz

    of Muriatic acid 31.45%

    1.9 cups449 mL

    • Side effects: TA −4 ppm.
    • Never add acid and chlorine together or in the same spot: mixing them releases toxic chlorine gas. Let the first one circulate before adding the other (the wait is shown on each step).

    Then wait 30 minutes with the pump running.

  2. Free chlorine 2 ppm → 6 ppm

    Raise it

    Add

    0.6gal

    of Liquid chlorine 10%

    77 fl oz2.3 L

    • Side effects: Salt +6.6 ppm.
    • Free chlorine is below the minimum for your stabilizer level.

In range

  • CH 300 ppm
  • CYA 40 ppm
  • TA 80 ppm

Water balance (CSI +0.32): Scale forming: calcium can come out as scale or cloudy water.

Check the product label. Strengths vary by brand, so enter the % printed on yours. Add one chemical at a time, into the water, and never mix chemicals.

Save this test and get reminded when it is time to retest.

Pool Calc for iPhoneComing soon to the App Store

Why the order matters

  1. Dilution first, because draining changes every other number.
  2. Slow or bulky chemicals next: calcium, salt and stabilizer take time to dissolve.
  3. Alkalinity before pH, because pH dosing depends on alkalinity.
  4. pH before chlorine, and never the two together: acid and chlorine release chlorine gas if they meet.
  5. Chlorine last, ideally at dusk.

Untested values

Leave a field blank if you did not test it. The calculator only doses what you measured and never guesses a missing value.

Questions

What should I test first?

Free chlorine and pH, every day or two. Alkalinity, calcium and CYA every week or two.

Which products does it use?

Your chosen chlorine and acid, plus soda ash, baking soda, calcium chloride, stabilizer granules and salt. Change the chlorine and acid to match your shelf.