The Umberto Balance, the ultimate tool for balancing your swimming pool water (Alkalinity, Hardness, pH, Stabilizer)

Everyone thinks that the solution to all pool problems is disinfection, and sometimes pH.

This idea is completely false and is akin to treating an infection with antibiotics alone. Sure, a disinfectant and the correct pH are needed to prevent your water from turning green, but the most important thing, as in life, is to maintain a good (water) balance.

You know Flipr as an electronics manufacturer.

In reality, the Flipr AnalysR is the result of research by doctors in chemistry who not only designed our famous probe with a solid engineering foundation but also developed algorithms that allow you not only to treat symptoms (pH, bromine, chlorine), but also to balance the water to avoid continuous treatment. This is what we call the Flipr water balance. This tool, provided with Flipr Plus, is an enhanced synthesis of the best tools traditionally used by professionals, although they do not always understand how they work. These include the Taylor balance, the equilibrium pH, and the Langelier index. All these tools have been improved and integrated into a ultimate graphic tool that we call the Umberto Balance, in homage to our mascot, Professor Umberto Oum.

In practice, balancing water is a kind of squaring the circle with the main players being Total Alkalinity, hardness, and pH.

Modifying one can affect the others, and treating each characteristic individually is not enough. You can find specific articles on each on our blog.

The Umberto Balance allows you to visualize at a glance the stabilization, the calc-carbonic balance of the water, and its corrosiveness.

Once visualized, you will have all the necessary tools to achieve a perfect balance.

Quick reminders condensed

The Stabilizer

The pool stabilizer, mainly based on cyanuric acid, protects chlorine from degradation by UV rays, thus prolonging its effectiveness in disinfecting the water by neutralizing bacteria and algae. Without stabilizer, chlorine decomposes rapidly, increasing maintenance costs. An adequate level of stabilizer, between 30 and 50 ppm, prevents the "chlorine lock" phenomenon, where chlorine is present but inactive. An excess of stabilizer decreases the effectiveness of chlorine, promotes the proliferation of algae and bacteria, and requires frequent water changes. Conversely, too low a level leads to rapid degradation of chlorine under the effect of UV rays, requiring frequent additions and increasing costs. Regular monitoring of levels is essential to maintain clean water and optimized costs.

Alkalinity or TAC

The Complete Alkalimetric Title (TAC) stabilizes the pH of pool water and should ideally be between 50 and 200 ppm (5 and 20 °F) to prevent pH fluctuations and protect equipment against corrosion. Too low a TAC can cause rapid corrosion of pool components and make the pH unstable, while too high a TAC can lead to the formation of lime deposits, clog filters, and cloud the water, thus reducing the quality of swimming. It is crucial to regularly adjust the TAC to maintain clear water and protect the pool infrastructure.

Hardness or TH

The hardness of pool water, indicated by the Hydrotimetric Title (TH), reflects the concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. An optimal TH, recommended between 100 and 250 ppm (10 and 25 °F), is crucial to avoid damage to equipment and surfaces. Too low a TH can cause corrosion of metal components and erosion of the internal surfaces of the pool, while too high a TH can lead to the formation of lime deposits, clog filters, and cloud the water, decreasing the quality of swimming. It is essential to regularly adjust the TH to maintain the functionality of equipment and the clarity of the water.

The Umberto Balance

It mainly consists of four graphical indicators: stabilization on the left, the enhanced Taylor balance in the center, the mineralization factor on the right, and finally the Langelier index on the bottom. We think it is also important to have a global indicator, which is why we provide in addition a score out of ten that synthesizes all these indicators: the Umberto score!

Components of the Umberto Balance

Stabilization

Staying in the green zone ensures a good balance between chlorine protection and sufficient capacity for it to activate.

The Enhanced Taylor Balance

Normally, the Taylor balance applies at a temperature of 24°C. We have made a mathematical adjustment to offer it to you regardless of the pool temperature. This adjustment is very important as it modifies a parameter we will see a little further down: the equilibrium pH (or saturation).

It is a visual tool that allows you to visually validate that the TAC and TH are within the recommended ranges. Ideally, the line formed by the TAC and TH must be entirely within the blue zone for a good calc-carbonic balance.

The intersection of this line determines the equilibrium pH, a value towards which the pH will almost systematically approach without treatment.

The Umberto Triangle

Formed by the points connecting the TAC, hardness, and actual pH. If it points upwards, the water is scaling; if it points downwards, the water is corrosive.

Corrosive	Scaling

The Langelier Index

The Umberto Triangle is corroborated by the Langelier Index. Above 0.3, the water is scaling; below -0.3, it is corrosive.

The Mineralization Factor (MINF)

This index helps prioritize adjustments in TAC and hardness. If the factor is too low, efforts should be made to increase either TAC or TH, prioritizing the lowest. If it is too high, we recommend lowering the highest priority and if correction is possible.

The Umberto Score

This is a weighted average out of ten of the scores we give to each indicator. Although quite subjective, it accurately reflects the overall state of the pool.