Water Chemistry Standard
Ideal Swimming Pool Chemical Ranges: The Definitive Chart
Keeping pool water balanced is straightforward once you know your baseline numbers. Use this comprehensive reference matrix to keep your water crystal clear, sanitized, and non-corrosive.
Target Chemistry Parameters
| Parameter | Standard Chlorine Pool | Saltwater Pool | Calculator Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Chlorine (FC) | 1.0 – 3.0 ppm | 1.0 – 3.0 ppm | Chlorine Calc → |
| pH | 7.2 – 7.6 (7.4 ideal) | 7.2 – 7.6 (7.4 ideal) | pH Calc → |
| Total Alkalinity (TA) | 80 – 120 ppm | 70 – 90 ppm | Alkalinity Calc → |
| Salinity | N/A | 2,700 – 3,400 ppm (3,200 ideal) | Salt Calc → |
| Cyanuric Acid (CYA) | 30 – 50 ppm | 60 – 80 ppm | Included in Chlorine Calc |
| Calcium Hardness (CH) | 200 – 400 ppm | 200 – 400 ppm | Plaster / Liner Safe |
| Combined Chlorine (CC) | < 0.5 ppm | < 0.5 ppm | Shock Calc → |
Step 1: Know Your Volume
Calculate the true gallon capacity of your rectangular, oval, round, or freeform pool.
Step 2: Shock If Combined Chlorine > 0.5
Burn off chloramines and cloudy water with high-dose superchlorination.
Water Balance FAQs
Test Free Chlorine and pH 2 to 3 times per week during swimming season. Test Total Alkalinity weekly, and test Calcium Hardness, Cyanuric Acid (CYA), and Salt once per month.
CYA is chlorine sunscreen. Without it, direct sunlight destroys chlorine in under two hours. Maintain 30–50 ppm in regular pools, and 60–80 ppm in saltwater pools.
Saltwater pools ARE chlorine pools! The salt cell generates pure liquid chlorine from dissolved salt. You must maintain 1–3 ppm of Free Chlorine just like any standard pool.