Big Splash Pool Care

Pool Chemical Balance Guide

Everything you need to know about keeping your pool chemistry perfect — the Arizona way.

📍 Queen Creek, AZ 📞 (480) 489-8327 🔑 ROC #358483

The Big 6 — Arizona Pool Chemistry

pH Level

The most important reading. Controls how effective chlorine is and how comfortable the water feels on eyes and skin. Arizona's water naturally runs slightly high.

✓ Ideal: 7.4 – 7.6 Low (<7.2): Corrosive, eye irritation High (>7.8): Chlorine loses 80% effectiveness

Free Chlorine

Your primary sanitizer. Arizona's intense UV rays break down chlorine 2–3× faster than northern states. Cyanuric acid (stabilizer) helps protect it.

✓ Ideal: 1.0 – 3.0 ppm Low: Algae and bacteria risk High (>5 ppm): Bleaches swimwear, eye irritation

Total Alkalinity (TA)

Acts as a buffer for pH. Without proper TA, pH will bounce up and down rapidly — making it impossible to maintain balance.

✓ Ideal: 80 – 120 ppm Low: pH swings, plaster etching High: pH becomes difficult to lower

Calcium Hardness

Arizona has extremely hard water. High calcium causes white scale on tile and equipment. Low calcium causes water to "eat" plaster surfaces.

✓ Ideal: 200 – 400 ppm Low: Pitting and plaster damage High (>500): Scaling on tile and equipment

Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer / CYA)

Critical in Arizona. Protects chlorine from being destroyed by UV radiation. Without it, chlorine can deplete in hours during summer.

✓ Ideal: 40 – 80 ppm Low: Chlorine depletes in 2–4 hours of sun High (>100): "Chlorine lock" — ineffective sanitizing

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

Measures everything dissolved in your water. AZ heat and evaporation cause TDS to rise quickly. High TDS makes chemicals less effective.

✓ Ideal: Below 2,500 ppm Over 2,500: Drain and refill recommended

How to Test Your Water

1 Collect water sample from elbow-depth (18 inches below surface) away from return jets
2 Use a 6-in-1 test strip OR liquid test kit (more accurate) — test weekly in summer
3 Compare results to ideal ranges above
4 Adjust chemicals ONE at a time — wait 4 hours between adjustments
5 Always retest after adding chemicals
6 Bring a water sample to your local pool store quarterly for a full lab analysis

💡 Dave's Arizona Tip:

In summer, test your water 2× per week — Arizona UV is brutal on chlorine. I've seen pools go from perfect to green in 48 hours during a July heatwave with no stabilizer. Don't skip the CYA!

⚠️ Safety Warning:

Never mix pool chemicals together. Add each chemical separately to the pool with the pump running. Store chemicals in a cool, dry place away from children and pets. Arizona summer heat accelerates chemical reactions — store out of direct sunlight.