Canonical Dataset
⚗ Chemical Ranges
Canonical recommended chemical ranges for residential pools, saltwater pools, hot tubs, commercial pools, indoor pools, and outdoor pools. One record per parameter per pool type.
Source Priority
Values in this dataset are sourced in the following order (highest authority first):
- 1. industry-standards
- 2. government-guidance
- 3. manufacturer-documentation
- 4. scientific-literature
- 5. editorial-interpretation
Records (36)
| id | poolType | parameter | unit | target | warning | critical | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| residential-pool-free-chlorine | residential-pool | free-chlorine | ppm | {"min":1,"max":3,"ideal":2} | {"low":0.5,"high":5} | {"low":0,"high":10} | Minimum effective level depends on CYA. At CYA 50 ppm, minimum FC is 4 ppm per TFPC guidelines. |
| residential-pool-combined-chlorine | residential-pool | combined-chlorine | ppm | {"min":0,"max":0,"ideal":0} | {"low":null,"high":0.5} | {"low":null,"high":1} | Any detectable CC above 0.5 ppm requires breakpoint chlorination (shock at 10x CC level). |
| residential-pool-ph | residential-pool | ph | pH | {"min":7.2,"max":7.6,"ideal":7.4} | {"low":7,"high":7.8} | {"low":6.8,"high":8.2} | At pH 7.2, 67% of FC is active HOCl. At pH 7.6, 50% is active. At pH 8.0, only 22% is active. |
| residential-pool-total-alkalinity | residential-pool | total-alkalinity | ppm | {"min":80,"max":120,"ideal":100} | {"low":60,"high":180} | {"low":40,"high":240} | Adjust TA before pH. TA acts as a pH buffer. Low TA causes pH bounce. High TA makes pH hard to lower. |
| residential-pool-calcium-hardness | residential-pool | calcium-hardness | ppm | {"min":200,"max":400,"ideal":300} | {"low":150,"high":500} | {"low":100,"high":800} | Target depends on surface type. Plaster pools: 200–400 ppm. Vinyl/fiberglass: 150–250 ppm. Only reduced by dilution. |
| residential-pool-cyanuric-acid | residential-pool | cyanuric-acid | ppm | {"min":30,"max":50,"ideal":40} | {"low":0,"high":80} | {"low":null,"high":100} | Above 80 ppm, increase FC target proportionally. Above 100 ppm, partial drain required. Only reduced by water dilution. |
| residential-pool-salt | residential-pool | salt | ppm | {"min":null,"max":null,"ideal":null} | {"low":null,"high":null} | {"low":null,"high":null} | Not applicable for non-salt pools. See saltwater-pool records. |
| residential-pool-temperature | residential-pool | temperature | °F | {"min":78,"max":84,"ideal":80} | {"low":60,"high":90} | {"low":null,"high":95} | Higher temperatures increase chlorine demand, scale tendency, and algae growth risk. |
| residential-pool-orp | residential-pool | orp | mV | {"min":650,"max":750,"ideal":700} | {"low":600,"high":800} | {"low":400,"high":null} | ORP directly measures sanitizing capacity. Below 650 mV, pathogen kill time increases significantly. |
| saltwater-pool-free-chlorine | saltwater-pool | free-chlorine | ppm | {"min":1,"max":3,"ideal":2} | {"low":0.5,"high":5} | {"low":0,"high":10} | Same as residential pool. Salt chlorinator output may need adjustment seasonally. |
| saltwater-pool-ph | saltwater-pool | ph | pH | {"min":7.2,"max":7.6,"ideal":7.4} | {"low":7,"high":7.8} | {"low":6.8,"high":8.2} | Salt pools tend to drift high pH due to electrolysis byproducts. Monitor frequently. |
| saltwater-pool-total-alkalinity | saltwater-pool | total-alkalinity | ppm | {"min":80,"max":120,"ideal":100} | {"low":60,"high":180} | {"low":40,"high":240} | Same as residential pool. |
| saltwater-pool-calcium-hardness | saltwater-pool | calcium-hardness | ppm | {"min":200,"max":400,"ideal":300} | {"low":150,"high":500} | {"low":100,"high":800} | Critical to maintain for salt cell longevity. Low calcium accelerates cell plate scaling. |
| saltwater-pool-cyanuric-acid | saltwater-pool | cyanuric-acid | ppm | {"min":60,"max":80,"ideal":70} | {"low":40,"high":100} | {"low":0,"high":120} | Higher CYA required for salt pools to protect chlorine generated by cell. Do not exceed 80 ppm if possible. |
| saltwater-pool-salt | saltwater-pool | salt | ppm | {"min":2700,"max":3400,"ideal":3200} | {"low":2500,"high":3600} | {"low":2000,"high":4000} | Optimal range is system-dependent. Consult manufacturer specification. Salt level below minimum disables the cell. |
| saltwater-pool-temperature | saltwater-pool | temperature | °F | {"min":78,"max":84,"ideal":80} | {"low":60,"high":90} | {"low":null,"high":95} | Salt cell output decreases significantly below 60°F. Manual chlorination may be needed in cold weather. |
| hot-tub-free-chlorine | hot-tub | free-chlorine | ppm | {"min":3,"max":5,"ideal":4} | {"low":1,"high":8} | {"low":0,"high":10} | Higher target than pools due to temperature-accelerated chlorine demand and high bather load relative to volume. |
| hot-tub-bromine | hot-tub | bromine | ppm | {"min":3,"max":6,"ideal":4} | {"low":1,"high":8} | {"low":0,"high":10} | Bromine alternative to chlorine. More stable at high temperatures. Bromamines remain sanitizing (unlike chloramines). |
| hot-tub-combined-chlorine | hot-tub | combined-chlorine | ppm | {"min":0,"max":0,"ideal":0} | {"low":null,"high":0.5} | {"low":null,"high":1} | Same as pool. High CC causes skin and respiratory irritation, amplified in enclosed hot tub environments. |
| hot-tub-ph | hot-tub | ph | pH | {"min":7.2,"max":7.6,"ideal":7.4} | {"low":7,"high":7.8} | {"low":6.8,"high":8} | pH tends to rise faster in hot tubs due to CO2 off-gassing at high temperatures. |
| hot-tub-total-alkalinity | hot-tub | total-alkalinity | ppm | {"min":80,"max":120,"ideal":100} | {"low":60,"high":150} | {"low":40,"high":200} | Same range as pool. Critical as a pH buffer. |
| hot-tub-calcium-hardness | hot-tub | calcium-hardness | ppm | {"min":150,"max":250,"ideal":200} | {"low":100,"high":350} | {"low":75,"high":500} | Lower target than plaster pools. Hot tub surfaces are typically acrylic or composite. High CH at high temp accelerates scaling. |
| hot-tub-cyanuric-acid | hot-tub | cyanuric-acid | ppm | {"min":0,"max":0,"ideal":0} | {"low":null,"high":10} | {"low":null,"high":30} | CYA should NOT be used in hot tubs. Hot tubs are typically covered and not exposed to UV light. |
| hot-tub-temperature | hot-tub | temperature | °F | {"min":100,"max":104,"ideal":102} | {"low":95,"high":104} | {"low":null,"high":104} | CPSC and PHTA set maximum at 104°F for safety. Temperatures above 104°F risk hyperthermia. Children: max 95°F. |
| commercial-pool-free-chlorine | commercial-pool | free-chlorine | ppm | {"min":1,"max":3,"ideal":2} | {"low":0.5,"high":5} | {"low":0,"high":10} | Many jurisdictions require minimum 1 ppm FC by law. ORP must also be maintained above 650 mV. |
| commercial-pool-ph | commercial-pool | ph | pH | {"min":7.2,"max":7.6,"ideal":7.4} | {"low":7,"high":7.8} | {"low":6.8,"high":8} | Many health codes require pH between 7.2 and 7.8 for public pools. |
| commercial-pool-total-alkalinity | commercial-pool | total-alkalinity | ppm | {"min":80,"max":120,"ideal":100} | {"low":60,"high":180} | {"low":40,"high":240} | Same as residential. |
| commercial-pool-calcium-hardness | commercial-pool | calcium-hardness | ppm | {"min":200,"max":400,"ideal":300} | {"low":150,"high":500} | {"low":100,"high":800} | Same as residential. |
| commercial-pool-cyanuric-acid | commercial-pool | cyanuric-acid | ppm | {"min":0,"max":40,"ideal":30} | {"low":null,"high":60} | {"low":null,"high":90} | Many health codes prohibit CYA above 40 ppm in commercial pools or prohibit CYA entirely. |
| commercial-pool-orp | commercial-pool | orp | mV | {"min":650,"max":800,"ideal":700} | {"low":600,"high":850} | {"low":500,"high":null} | WHO recommends minimum 650 mV for public pools. Required in many commercial facility health codes. |
| indoor-pool-free-chlorine | indoor-pool | free-chlorine | ppm | {"min":1,"max":3,"ideal":2} | {"low":0.5,"high":5} | {"low":0,"high":10} | Same as residential pool. No UV degradation indoors so lower FC maintenance dose needed. |
| indoor-pool-cyanuric-acid | indoor-pool | cyanuric-acid | ppm | {"min":0,"max":0,"ideal":0} | {"low":null,"high":10} | {"low":null,"high":30} | CYA should NOT be used in indoor pools. No UV exposure so no need for UV protection, and CYA reduces chlorine efficiency. |
| indoor-pool-ph | indoor-pool | ph | pH | {"min":7.2,"max":7.6,"ideal":7.4} | {"low":7,"high":7.8} | {"low":6.8,"high":8} | pH tends to rise in indoor pools due to CO2 off-gassing into enclosed air space. Ventilation management is critical. |
| outdoor-pool-free-chlorine | outdoor-pool | free-chlorine | ppm | {"min":1,"max":3,"ideal":2} | {"low":0.5,"high":5} | {"low":0,"high":10} | Outdoor pools require CYA to prevent UV degradation of chlorine. |
| outdoor-pool-cyanuric-acid | outdoor-pool | cyanuric-acid | ppm | {"min":30,"max":50,"ideal":40} | {"low":10,"high":80} | {"low":0,"high":100} | CYA is essential for outdoor pools. Without CYA, chlorine degrades within 30–60 minutes of direct sunlight. |
| outdoor-pool-temperature | outdoor-pool | temperature | °F | {"min":78,"max":84,"ideal":80} | {"low":60,"high":90} | {"low":null,"high":95} | Temperature above 85°F increases chlorine demand significantly and promotes algae growth. |
About This Dataset
This dataset is part of the WaterBalanceTools Canonical Data Layer. All factual values used across the website originate from canonical datasets like this one. No calculator, article, or tool embeds these values directly — they are always resolved through the data layer.