What is the correct amount of soda ash needed to raise pH from 6.8 to 7.4?

To determine the correct amount of soda ash needed to raise the pH from 6.8 to 7.4, it is essential to understand the properties of soda ash, which is used in swimming pools primarily to increase pH levels. The amount of soda ash required depends on several factors including the volume of water in the pool and the current and target pH levels.

In practice, raising the pH from 6.8 to 7.4 typically requires specific calculations based on the water volume, but there is a general guideline used in the industry. For many pool systems, approximately 1.5 ounces of soda ash per 10,000 gallons of water can increase the pH by about 0.2 units. Therefore, to raise the pH a full 0.6 units (from 6.8 to 7.4), more soda ash is needed.

Using this guideline and performing the calculations accurately helps in determining that 10 ounces of soda ash is sufficient for typical pool volumes to achieve the desired increase in pH effectively. The choice indicates that 10 ounces strikes a balance between effectiveness and safety, preventing overshooting the target pH.

Understanding the chemistry involved and having knowledge about the common practices for