What readings does Balance My Pool use right now?
The current tool uses free chlorine, pH, and total alkalinity to return the first correction order. Use the related calculators for CYA, calcium, salt, acid, alkalinity, and chlorine dose amounts.
Free Pool Tool | Ellis County, TX
Balance My Pool Calculator
Turn a full set of test results into the correct adjustment order for a North Texas pool.
Calculator
Enter your pool numbers
Fractions like 1/4 or 1/8 work in number fields. Results are planning estimates, not a binding service diagnosis.
Result
Recommended order: TA -> pH -> CYA -> calcium -> salt -> chlorine
Balance the water in order so one correction does not undo the last one.
Step 1Raise total alkalinity first.
Step 2Lower pH with the muriatic acid calculator.
Step 3Bring free chlorine back into range last.
How to use the dose
The correct order to balance your pool
Test everything first, then correct alkalinity, pH, calcium, CYA, salt, and chlorine in that order — the right order takes 2-3 days but actually holds.
- Test everything firstGet a complete reading — free chlorine, total chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, CYA, calcium hardness, and salt if applicable — before adjusting anything.
- Fix total alkalinityAlkalinity is the foundation — get it to 80-120 ppm (60-80 for salt pools) before moving on.
- Set pHWith alkalinity right, bring pH to 7.4-7.6 using the Muriatic Acid or Soda Ash Calculator.
- Correct calcium hardnessFix calcium now with the Calcium Hardness Calculator — it affects the LSI balance everything else depends on.
- Adjust cyanuric acidRaise CYA with the Cyanuric Acid Calculator if needed — it's slow-moving, so get it right and leave it.
- Top off saltFor salt pools, bring salt to your generator's target with the Pool Salt Calculator and run the pump 24 hours to dissolve.
- Add chlorine lastDose sanitizer last with the Free Chlorine Dose Calculator — everything above changes how chlorine behaves, so it works twice as well once the rest is right.
Pro Take
You can do this yourself. Or you can stop chasing it.
The order matters. A&M can handle the full panel, dosing, brushing, and equipment check in one weekly visit.
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How to test
Get the reading before you dose
Use a complete drop kit for FC, pH, TA, CYA, calcium hardness, and salt if applicable.
- Do not add all chemicals at once.
- Separate acid, chlorine, calcium, and soda ash additions.
- Retest between major corrections.
Companion Guide
The Right Order to Add Chemicals to Your Pool
Read the paired blog post for the plain-English version of the chemistry, testing, and common homeowner mistakes.
Read the guideFAQ
Balance My Pool FAQs
Why does the calculator put alkalinity before pH?
Alkalinity controls how much pH moves when you add acid or base. If TA is far out of range, correcting pH first can produce a result that does not hold.
How should I use the recommended order after it appears?
Work one major correction at a time, circulate, and retest before moving to the next step. The order prevents one dose from undoing another, but it is not permission to add everything at once.