What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?
What is the ideal pH level in a pool? How do I know if my cyanuric acid (CYA) level is correct?
Use our tool below to answer any questions you have regarding the target levels for your pool.
Over the years TFP has fine-tuned these levels to help all pool owners keep their pools safe and swimmable. If you maintain these levels closely, your pool water will be crystal clear and your pool equipment and surfaces will be protected.
TFP's Recommended Levels
Use the selector below to choose your pool type and chemistry; we'll show you the recommended levels for it, as well as some helpful information to keep you on track with your levels!
Vinyl pools with liquid chlorine
Ideal Levels
Free Chlorine: Maintaining an appropriate Free Chlorine level is the most important part of keeping your water in balance. It is important that you do not allow FC to get too low, or you run the risk of getting algae. The level of FC you need to maintain depends on your CYA level and how much you use the pool. See the FC/CYA Chart.
pH
Acceptable Minimum:
7.2Ideal:
7.6-7.8Acceptable Maximum:
8.0Total Alkalinity
Acceptable Minimum:
50-60Ideal:
60-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Calcium
Acceptable Minimum:
0-50Ideal:
50-550Acceptable Maximum:
550-650Cyanuric Acid
Acceptable Minimum:
30-40Ideal:
40-50Acceptable Maximum:
50-60Additional notes
(show/hide)Low Calcium Levels
In very rare cases users may find themselves with extremely low Calcium Hardness levels. Levels at or around zero can damage some metal parts over an extended period of time and should be avoided when possible.
High Chlorine Loss
Pool owners who use liquid chlorine under some conditions may notice a large chlorine loss on a day to day basis. It is very common for a manually dosed pool to lose 2-4ppm Chlorine daily however some users may experience a larger drop, especially in areas of a high UV index. To help combat this issue users may consider maintaining a slightly higher than recommended CYA level such as maybe a 60ppm level to help protect the chlorine.
High Calcium Levels
High calcium levels under extreme conditions can cause scale on the walls of a vinyl pool. This issue is very rare with vinyl pools and often is caused by users using Calcium Hypochlorite on a frequent basis.
Vinyl pools with a Salt Water Generator
Ideal Levels
Free Chlorine: Maintaining an appropriate Free Chlorine level is the most important part of keeping your water in balance. It is important that you do not allow FC to get too low, or you run the risk of getting algae. The level of FC you need to maintain depends on your CYA level and how much you use the pool. See the FC/CYA Chart.
pH
Acceptable Minimum:
7.2Ideal:
7.6-7.8Acceptable Maximum:
8.0Total Alkalinity
Acceptable Minimum:
50-60Ideal:
60-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Calcium
Acceptable Minimum:
0-50Ideal:
50-550Acceptable Maximum:
550-650Cyanuric Acid
Acceptable Minimum:
60-70Ideal:
70-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Additional notes
(show/hide)High Calcium Levels
High calcium levels under extreme conditions can cause scale on the walls of a vinyl pool or on the cell of a Salt Water Generator. This issue is very rare with vinyl pools and often is caused by users using Calcium Hypochlorite on a frequent basis. If however a user struggles to stay within our guidelines due to their fill water being high in calcium a user should consider using Borates in their water as well as attempt to keep their pH levels low.
Plaster pools with liquid chlorine
Ideal Levels
Free Chlorine: Maintaining an appropriate Free Chlorine level is the most important part of keeping your water in balance. It is important that you do not allow FC to get too low, or you run the risk of getting algae. The level of FC you need to maintain depends on your CYA level and how much you use the pool. See the FC/CYA Chart.
pH
Acceptable Minimum:
7.2Ideal:
7.6-7.8Acceptable Maximum:
8.0Total Alkalinity
Acceptable Minimum:
50-60Ideal:
60-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Calcium
Acceptable Minimum:
250-350Ideal:
350-550Acceptable Maximum:
550-650Cyanuric Acid
Acceptable Minimum:
30-40Ideal:
40-50Acceptable Maximum:
50-60Additional notes
(show/hide)High Chlorine Loss
Pool owners who use liquid chlorine under some conditions may notice a large chlorine loss on a day to day basis. It is very common for a manually dosed pool to lose 2-4ppm Chlorine daily however some users may experience a larger drop, especially in areas of a high UV index. To help combat this issue users may consider maintaining a slightly higher than recommended CYA level such as maybe a 60ppm level to help protect the chlorine.
High Calcium Levels
High Calcium levels in a plaster pool can easily create scale on the walls of the pool. In cases where calcium levels cannot be kept within TFP’s Ideal Levels a homeowner may need to use more advanced methods of pool care. Users with high Calcium Levels should read more about CSI to assist with their pool care.
Maintaining a Pool With Cold Water
Users maintaining their pools with very cold water may find their CSI out of balance. To help combat this issue it’s suggested they allow their pH to increase towards 7.8 to 8.0 to help reduce the risk of etching their pools surface.
Plaster pools with a salt water generator
Ideal Levels
Free Chlorine: Maintaining an appropriate Free Chlorine level is the most important part of keeping your water in balance. It is important that you do not allow FC to get too low, or you run the risk of getting algae. The level of FC you need to maintain depends on your CYA level and how much you use the pool. See the FC/CYA Chart.
pH
Acceptable Minimum:
7.2Ideal:
7.6-7.8Acceptable Maximum:
8.0Total Alkalinity
Acceptable Minimum:
50-60Ideal:
60-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Calcium
Acceptable Minimum:
250-350Ideal:
350-550Acceptable Maximum:
550-650Cyanuric Acid
Acceptable Minimum:
60-70Ideal:
70-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Additional notes
(show/hide)High Calcium Levels
High Calcium levels in a plaster pool can easily create scale on the walls of the pool. In cases where calcium levels cannot be kept within TFP’s Ideal Levels a homeowner may need to use more advanced methods of pool care. Users with high Calcium Levels should read more about CSI to assist with their pool care. Additionally owners of Salt Water Generators who commonly have high calcium levels in their pools may see scale on their Salt Water cells. To combat this issue users should consider using Borates in their water as well as adjust pH and TA to lower values to reduce their saturation index.
Maintaining a Pool With Cold Water
Users maintaining their pools with very cold water may find their CSI out of balance. To help combat this issue it’s suggested they allow their pH to increase towards 7.8 to 8.0 to help reduce the risk of etching their pools surface.
Fiberglass pools with liquid chlorine
Ideal Levels
Free Chlorine: Maintaining an appropriate Free Chlorine level is the most important part of keeping your water in balance. It is important that you do not allow FC to get too low, or you run the risk of getting algae. The level of FC you need to maintain depends on your CYA level and how much you use the pool. See the FC/CYA Chart.
pH
Acceptable Minimum:
7.2Ideal:
7.6-7.8Acceptable Maximum:
8.0Total Alkalinity
Acceptable Minimum:
50-60Ideal:
60-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Calcium
Acceptable Minimum:
250-350Ideal:
350-550Acceptable Maximum:
550-650Cyanuric Acid
Acceptable Minimum:
30-40Ideal:
40-50Acceptable Maximum:
50-60Additional notes
(show/hide)High Chlorine Loss
Pool owners who use liquid chlorine under some conditions may notice a large chlorine loss on a day to day basis. It is very common for a manually dosed pool to lose 2-4ppm Chlorine daily however some users may experience a larger drop, especially in areas of a high UV index. To help combat this issue users may consider maintaining a slightly higher than recommended CYA level such as maybe a 60ppm level to help protect the chlorine.
Fiberglass pools with a salt water generator
Ideal Levels
Free Chlorine: Maintaining an appropriate Free Chlorine level is the most important part of keeping your water in balance. It is important that you do not allow FC to get too low, or you run the risk of getting algae. The level of FC you need to maintain depends on your CYA level and how much you use the pool. See the FC/CYA Chart.
pH
Acceptable Minimum:
7.2Ideal:
7.6-7.8Acceptable Maximum:
8.0Total Alkalinity
Acceptable Minimum:
50-60Ideal:
60-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Calcium
Acceptable Minimum:
250-350Ideal:
350-550Acceptable Maximum:
550-650Cyanuric Acid
Acceptable Minimum:
60-70Ideal:
70-80Acceptable Maximum:
80-90Additional notes
(show/hide)High Calcium Levels
Owners of Salt Water Generators who commonly have high calcium levels in their pools may see scale on their Salt Water cells. To combat this issue users should always attempt to keep their Calcium levels within TFP’s guidelines. If however a user struggles to stay within our guidelines a user should consider using Borates in their water as well as adjust their pH and TA to lower values to reduce their saturation index.