1. What is Sodium Bisulfate?

Sodium bisulfate (NaHSO₄) is a dry acid used to lower pH in swimming pools and spas. It's safer and easier to handle than liquid acid and dissolves quickly in water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the sodium bisulfate formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Pool volume in gallons
• \( pH_{current} \) — Current pH level
• \( pH_{target} \) — Desired pH level (typically 7.2-7.6)
• 0.00016 — Conversion factor for sodium bisulfate

Explanation: The formula calculates how many pounds of sodium bisulfate are needed to lower the pH from the current level to the target level in your pool.

3. Importance of pH Balance

Details: Proper pH balance (7.2-7.6) is crucial for swimmer comfort, effective chlorine disinfection, and preventing damage to pool equipment and surfaces.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter accurate pool volume (calculate length × width × average depth × 7.5 for rectangular pools)
• Test pH 2-4 hours after adding chemicals before adding more
• Add chemicals gradually, never more than 1 lb per 10,000 gallons at a time

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How often should I adjust my pool's pH?
A: Test pH 2-3 times per week and adjust as needed to maintain 7.2-7.6.

Q2: Is sodium bisulfate better than muriatic acid?
A: Sodium bisulfate is safer and easier to handle but more expensive than muriatic acid.

Q3: How long should I wait after adding sodium bisulfate?
A: Wait 2-4 hours with pump running before retesting pH.

Q4: What if I add too much sodium bisulfate?
A: If pH drops below 7.0, you can raise it with soda ash or aerate the water.

Q5: Can I swim after adding sodium bisulfate?
A: Wait at least 1 hour after adding and ensure pH is balanced (7.2-7.6).