Pool RatioHow to use it
- Target 70–90 ppm for most chlorine pools (60–80 for salt pools).
- Raise TA with baking soda: about 1.4 lb per 10,000 gallons per +10 ppm.
- Lower TA by lowering pH with acid and aerating, repeated.
Example: 20,000 gallons, TA 50 → 80 ppm
- Raise by 30 ppm
- Baking soda = 30 × 0.14 lb per ppm per 10k gal × 2
- = 8.4 lb
About 8.4 lb of baking soda.
Every pool test kit has some error, and products vary in strength, so treat any dose as a starting point: add most of it, circulate, retest, then top up. Never mix chemicals together, and add each one separately to the pool.
Frequently asked questions
How much baking soda raises alkalinity by 10 ppm?
About 1.4 lb per 10,000 gallons (168 g per 10,000 litres).
How do I lower alkalinity?
Lower pH to about 7.2 with acid, then aerate (fountains, jets, a spray) to push pH back up without adding alkalinity. Repeat until TA reaches the target.
Should I fix alkalinity or pH first?
Alkalinity first when it is well out of range, then pH. The full calculator orders the steps for you.