Intec CA10 Instruction Manual page 19

5.1 Test the pH of your pool water first.
If it needs treatment, then treat it before proceeding to the other tests.
If you leave your pH higher than 7.4 for an extended period of time, then dissolved
minerals and organics inside of the water molecules (which were previously invisible) can
precipitate from solution and become suspended (free floating). This may discolor your water
and scale your pool. If the pH is allowed to go below 7 for an extended period of time, the
impurities inside the water molecule will discolor or stain your pool. This happens because of
the acidic conditions of your water. Most pool owners will call every discoloration a stain.
pH is treated with muriatic acid to bring it lower and baking soda to bring it higher.
The muriatic acid will burn up some of the alkaline material, thus reducing your pH. The baking
soda will neutralize the acidity, increase the alkalinity, and thus increase your pH. Both
chemicals are self-sacrificing and will reach a point of equilibrium, neutralize themselves, and
then no longer exist in your pool water in its original form. Therefore, it can be said that you
have a chemical-free pool. Muriatic acid is available in one-gallon bottles at Lowes, The Home
Depot, and most local hardware stores. Baking soda is available at Wal-Mart, Target, Dollar
General, and your local grocery store.
5.1.2 Recommended Testing and pH Range
The ideal for pH is 7.2 (7.0 to 7.4 is OK). At first, test on Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday. At some point in time, you may find you never have to treat the pH on Wednesday for
example. If this is the case, then you can just test on Monday and Friday.
You have an acid demand test in the Comprehensive Test Kit (blue box) that will
determine for you the exact amount of muriatic acid needed to bring the pH down from when
it is too high. Please see the "Acid Demand Chart" (Table 1) in Chapter 10. You will need to
know your pool size in gallons first (See "Table 3" for calculations).
NOTE: It is important to get your pool's pH in its proper range BEFORE starting to
test for copper.
5.2 Total Alkalinity (TA) and Treatment
If pH, as stated earlier, is the most important aspect of pool water care, then alkalinity
is even more important because it controls the pH. The Total Alkalinity Test is your "crystal
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