Chemical balancing
A Compass ceramic composite pool offers remarkable durability, smooth luxury finishes, and excellent insulation. Keeping the water crystal clear and maintaining the pristine surface of your pool comes down to one simple routine: water balancing.
Because high-grade ceramic shell technology is exceptionally smooth and non-porous, it is naturally resistant to algae. However, regular chemistry care is still essential to ensure bather comfort and long equipment lifespan.
Water balance is one of the most important parts of pool ownership, and it doesn't need to be complicated. This page covers the essentials, from understanding pH and alkalinity to sanitiser levels and when to test, so you can keep your water clear, comfortable and protected all year round.
Whether you're new to testing your own water or want a refresher on getting the balance right, you'll find clear guidance below to help you stay on top of it with confidence.
Here is everything you need to know about keeping your pool water perfectly balanced.
pH Level
Target: 7.2 – 7.6
The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline your water is.
Why it matters: If the pH drops too low (acidic), it can cause eye stinging and irritate skin. If it rises too high (alkaline), the sanitiser stops working effectively, and scale can build up on equipment - especially in UK hard-water areas.
How to adjust: Use pH Plus to raise it, or pH Minus to lower it. Tip: Always add chemicals in small doses to prevent wild fluctuations.
Total Alkalinity / TA
Target: 80 – 120 ppm
Total Alkalinity acts as a "buffer" or stabiliser for your pH levels.
Why it matters: If your TA is too low, your pH will swing wildly up and down with weather changes or heavy use. In soft-water areas of the UK, TA is often naturally low.
How to adjust: Add TA Plus (Sodium Bicarbonate) if levels drop.
Sanitiser / Free Chlorine
Target: 1.0 – 3.0 ppm
Sanitisers kill off harmful bacteria, viruses, and organic waste.
Why it matters: Maintaining adequate free chlorine guarantees safe, hygienic water.
Dosage forms: Chlorine options include slow-dissolving multi-action tablets, liquid chlorine, or an automated Saltwater Chlorinator (which turns salt into chlorine automatically).
Secondary Chemicals & Additives
Depending on your pool setup and UK seasonal changes, you may occasionally use these support chemicals:
Stabiliser / Cyanuric Acid (Target: 30 – 60 ppm): Known as "sunscreen for chlorine," stabiliser prevents UV light from breaking down free chlorine rapidly in outdoor pools during summer months.
Non-Chlorine Shock / Oxidiser: Used after heavy pool parties or heavy rainfall to burn off organic debris without raising total chlorine levels.
Algaecide & Clarifier: Keeps water crystal clear and adds extra defence against algae growth during high-temperature spells.
Use a test strip to check chemical levels and adjust as needed:
- Daily during swimming season.
- Weekly during non-swimming season.
Never mix chemicals dry: Always add chemicals separately to the pool water or pre-dissolve them in a bucket of pool water (if specified on the label).
Always add chemical to water, never water to chemical: Adding water to concentrated chemicals can cause splashback or aggressive heat reactions.
Store safely: Store products in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight and safely away from children and pets.
What to buy
At Waterstream, we supply a curated range of high-performance pool chemicals designed to work seamlessly with your Compass ceramic pool. Whether you use a manual dosing routine, a salt system, or an automated dosing unit, keeping your water balanced and crystal-clear is straightforward with our specialist range.
You can browse and order all products directly from our Waterstream Online Shop.