Swimming pool chemical question: difference between soda ash and sodium bicarbonate to be used to raise ph?

Answer 1

Typically if the pH is low the Total Alkalinity is also. Always adjust alkalinity first. Bicarb raises Total Alkalinity a lot, and pH a little. Soda ash is used to tweak the pH after alkalinity is raised. It raises pH a lot and Total alkalinity a little. Two different chemicals for two different purposes.

Answer 2

Technically there is no difference any alkaline will raise the PH and neutralize acidity......It's just a question of which is more economical...I would use the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) its, cheap, clean and goes into solution very quickly .

I've never used soda ash (Sodium carbonate) but in my mind I picture particles of ash that might cloud the pool. If you have a cheap source of soda ash try it. (maybe in a bucket at first). I just looked up soda ash and it is sold by pool supply companies so I guess it alright.
For that matter you could use lye...probably not recommended The US government is dumping tons of sodium bicarbonate into lakes to help bring the PH level back to neutral to combat the acidity caused by acid rain,
You do realize the bleach and chlorine that are used in pools is also alkaline!

How did you get your pool so acid is it sitting under an oak tree?
Good Luck

Master Quark

Answer 3

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Swimming pool chemical question: difference between soda ash and sodium bicarbonate to be used to raise ph?

Answer 4

There is a huge difference between sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate. Do not use bicarbonate to raise pH and do not use carbonate to raise alkalinity. It is not an economical issue, they are two separate chemicals they have a significant difference in effecting pH and alkalinity. It isn't a marketing scheme to get people to think they need both, pool chemical companies have doctorate level chemists working for them and aren't just trying to trick you. Sodium bicarbonate creates a buffer solution which resists large swings in pH upon addition of acid. It also raises pH but not nearly as significantly as sodium carbonate. They are not interchangeable due to the problems that arise from using them inversely.

Answer 5

Soda Ash is used to raise the Ph of your pool water/Sodium Bicarb. is used to raise the Total Alkalinity of your pool water. The ideal range for a pool's ph would be between 7.2-7.6ppml; and the ideal alkalinity range should fall between 80-120ppm.

If these readings are a little off, you should always First: Adjust the Alkalinity to the ideal range, then adjust the Ph to the desired range.

Although the two have different chemicals used to raise them up, they can both be reduced by adding Muratic Acid to your pool.

Answer 6

Soda Ash For Pools

Answer 7

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To answer your first question, yes.. They adjust two different things (but each will have some effect on the other.) Sodium Bicarbonate (or Baking Soda) is used for raising total alkalinity, which is what keeps the pH stable in a pool. Pool stores will commonly call this Alkalinity Up or Alkalinity Increaser. Sodium Carbonate (or Soda Ash), is for raising the pH itself. (And not really for raising the total alkalinity, although it will have a slight effect on it. The reverse is also true when using Sodium Bicarb ... it will also raise the pH slightly, but that depends on where the pH is to start with.) The pH is a measure of how acidic or basic your water is (the ideal range for a pool should be 7.4 - 7.6, with anywhere from 7.2 to 7.8 being acceptable. It will be much easier to maintain a correct pH when the total alkalinity is in the proper range. Total alkalinity is measured in parts per million (ppm). Generally speaking, the proper range for total alkalinity should be between 80 - 120 ppm (depending on the pool surface and possibly what type of sanitizer you're using.) If you use the wrong one when adjusting, you will not get the desired results, and could cause other problems (cloudy water, etc.) The best thing to look at when comparing pool products is the chemical name (Soda Ash/ Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, etc.) These will be listed right on the label and won't vary. As far as the second part, you don't really need to go that expensive. The key is to balance it correctly in the beginning; it's then both easier (and cheaper in the long run) to maintain the pool's chemical balance. (Which is important for both water corrosiveness and swimmer comfort issues.)

Answer 8

how big is your pool goto grocery store and get a four # bos of baking soda, use tw0 or three boxes in say 12k gls pool, been using it for yrs
and a two galls of bleach per 12k