Viva Blu Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate) is a high-purity, fast-dissolving powder designed to raise pH and alkalinity in swimming pools, spas, and water systems. Trusted by professionals, it’s a reliable and cost-effective solution for balancing water chemistry and improving bather comfort.
What Is Soda Ash
Soda Ash, also known as Sodium Carbonate, is a white, odourless powder used to raise the pH level in water. It’s a must-have pool chemical for maintaining clean, safe, and balanced water conditions. Viva Blu’s industrial-grade Soda Ash is carefully formulated for easy dissolution and rapid results.
Key Uses of Soda Ash
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pH increaser for swimming pools, spas, fountains, and water features
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Total Alkalinity booster
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Water softeners in various treatment systems
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Neutraliser for acidic water
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Detergent and cleaner builder in industrial applications
Instructions for Pool Use
Application Rate (Swimming Pools):
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To raise pH:
Add 150g of Soda Ash per 10,000 L to increase pH by ~0.2 units -
To raise Total Alkalinity:
Add 200 – 250g per 10,000 L to increase alkalinity by ~10 ppm
How to Apply:
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Pre-dissolve the required amount in a bucket of clean water.
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With the pump running, slowly pour around the pool’s perimeter.
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Retest the water after 4-6 hours and repeat as needed.
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Store in a sealed container, in a cool, dry place away from acids.
!! Avoid adding near skimmer boxes or mixing directly with other chemicals.
Why Choose Viva Blu Soda Ash?
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 Fast-dissolving, high-purity grade
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 Reliable and safe for all pool types
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 Suitable for domestic and commercial pools
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 Locally supported with expert advice and supply
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 Great value in bulk or retail packaging
Technical Reference
Technical Specifications
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Sodium Carbonate |
| IUPAC Name | Disodium carbonate |
| Common Names | Soda Ash, Washing Soda (anhydrous form), pH Increaser, pH Up |
| Molecular Formula | Na₂CO₃ |
| Molecular Weight | 105.99 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 497-19-8 |
| Grade / Purity | Industrial / Pool Grade — minimum 99.0% Na₂CO₃ (anhydrous basis) |
| Physical State | Solid |
| Appearance | White, free-flowing, odourless powder or fine granules |
| Bulk Density | Approximately 1,000–1,100 kg/m³ (light dense grade) |
| True Density | 2,540 kg/m³ |
| pH of Solution | 11.3–11.7 (10 g/L solution at 25°C) |
| Solubility in Water | 212 g/L at 20°C; solubility increases with temperature |
| Melting Point | 851°C (anhydrous) |
| UN Number | Not subject to ADG Code (non-dangerous goods) at concentrations used in this grade |
| ADG Class | Not classified as Dangerous Goods for transport under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code 7.8) in this solid anhydrous form at this concentration |
| GHS Hazard Classification | Eye irritant (Category 2); Skin irritant (Category 3) — refer to current SDS |
| Package Size | 25 kg paper/poly bag |
Applications & Use Cases
- Swimming Pool pH Correction: Raising pool water pH from below 7.2 to the target range of 7.2–7.6 as recommended by SPASA Australia guidelines. Preferred over caustic soda where a more moderate pH rise is required.
- Total Alkalinity (TA) Adjustment: Contributing to total alkalinity increases in pool and spa water; target TA range 80–120 mg/L for pools and 80–150 mg/L for spas (SPASA guidelines).
- Spa and Hot Tub Water Balancing: Correcting low-pH conditions in heated spa water, where pH drift is accelerated by aeration and elevated temperatures.
- Water Features and Ornamental Fountains: Maintaining a suitable pH to protect pumps, fittings, and inhibit algae growth in decorative water systems.
- Potable Water Treatment: pH correction in drinking water treatment to control corrosivity; product suitable for contact with drinking water where compliant with AS/NZS 4020 requirements apply — confirm current batch certification with supplier.
- Cooling Tower Water Treatment: Adjusting recirculating water pH to minimise corrosion of metallic system components and optimise biocide efficacy.
- Boiler Feed and Process Water Conditioning: Raising pH of make-up or process water before treatment in industrial plant operations.
- Wastewater Neutralisation: Neutralising mildly acidic wastewater streams in industrial and trade waste applications before discharge to sewer, consistent with local trade waste agreements.
- Aquaculture: Liming of aquaculture pond water to adjust pH and alkalinity and improve biological oxygen demand management.
- Commercial Laundry and Cleaning Operations: Alkalinity builder and water softener in commercial laundering and industrial cleaning formulations.
- Textile and Dyeing Industries: Alkaline fixative and pH buffer in fibre reactive dyeing processes.
- General Chemical Manufacturing: Precursor or pH-adjustment reagent in a range of chemical manufacturing and formulation processes.
Dosing Rates & Guidelines
All dosing rates are indicative and based on standard Australian industry practice. Actual requirements will vary depending on source water chemistry, system volume, current pH, total alkalinity, carbonate hardness, temperature, and bather or process load. Always test water before and after dosing. Dose incrementally and retest after each addition before applying further product.
| Application | Target Parameter | Dosing Rate | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Swimming Pool — pH Raise | pH 7.2–7.6 | 10–15 g per 10,000 L to raise pH by approximately 0.1 units | g/10,000 L per 0.1 pH unit | Dissolve in a bucket of pool water before broadcasting. Do not dose more than 500 g per 50,000 L per treatment. Allow 4–6 hours of recirculation and retest before redosing. |
| Residential Swimming Pool — Total Alkalinity Raise | TA 80–120 mg/L | 15–20 g per 10,000 L to raise TA by approximately 10 mg/L | g/10,000 L per 10 mg/L TA rise | Note that soda ash raises both TA and pH simultaneously. Where TA rise is required without a significant pH change, sodium bicarbonate is generally preferred. |
| Commercial Swimming Pool — pH Correction | pH 7.2–7.6 | 8–12 g/m³ per 0.1 pH unit rise required | g/m³ | Dose via a chemical dosing system or pre-dissolved in a batch tank. Dose during low-bather-load periods where possible. Continuous monitoring recommended for commercial pools. |
| Spa and Hot Tub — pH Raise | pH 7.2–7.8 | 5–10 g per 1,000 L per 0.1 pH unit rise | g/1,000 L per 0.1 pH unit | Spas are more sensitive to chemical changes due to small volume and elevated temperature (typically 37–40°C). Dose conservatively, run jets for 15 minutes, and retest before further addition. |
| Cooling Tower Water | pH 7.0–8.5 | 20–50 mg/L (indicative); adjust based on system-specific water analysis | mg/L | Dosing should be guided by a formal water treatment programme. Overdosing can promote carbonate scaling on heat exchange surfaces. Monitor Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). |
| Potable Water Treatment | pH 7.5–8.5 (corrosion control) | 5–30 mg/L (site-specific; determined by water analysis and regulatory requirements) | mg/L | Dosing for drinking water treatment must be designed and supervised by a qualified water treatment engineer. Compliance with ADWG and AS/NZS 4020 is required for contact materials and chemicals. |
| Wastewater Neutralisation | pH 6.5–8.5 (discharge requirement) | Stoichiometric calculation required based on acid load; typically 0.5–5.0 g/L for mildly acidic streams | g/L | Dose rate must be determined by jar testing. Consult the local council trade waste agreement for discharge pH requirements. Maximum recommended pH correction with soda ash alone: target pH ≤ 10.5 to avoid over-alkalisation. |
| Aquaculture Pond Liming | pH 6.5–8.5 | 50–200 kg/ha (water body dependent) | kg/ha | Broadcast over the pond surface when the pond is empty or during low-production periods. Allow 1–2 weeks before stocking following initial liming. Monitor alkalinity and pH regularly. |
Dilution Instructions
General Principles
- Soda ash is an alkaline material. When dissolving, always add soda ash to water — never add water to a concentrated soda ash slurry in a confined vessel, as localised exothermic dissolution can cause spattering.
- Soda ash dissolves readily in warm water. Use water at 20–40°C for the fastest dissolution. Avoid water above 60°C as this can cause partial conversion to sodium sesquicarbonate.
- For pool applications, never broadcast undissolved soda ash directly onto pool surfaces. Direct contact of concentrated powder with pool liners, tiles, or plaster surfaces can cause localised bleaching or staining due to the high localised pH.
Procedure for Pool and Spa Dosing
- Calculate the required dose based on the current water test results and pool or spa volume.
- Measure the required quantity of soda ash using a clean, dry scoop or scale. Do not use scoops or containers contaminated with other pool chemicals, particularly oxidisers or acids.
- Fill a clean plastic bucket (minimum 10 L capacity) with pool water — not tap water, as this avoids introducing additional chemistry to the pool.
- Slowly add the measured soda ash to the bucket of water while stirring with a clean, dedicated plastic or stainless steel stirring rod. Do not use metal utensils that may be incompatible with alkaline solutions.
- Stir until fully dissolved. The solution will become slightly warm — this is normal and indicates an exothermic dissolution reaction.
- With the pool pump and filtration system running, slowly pour the dissolved solution around the perimeter of the pool, as close to the water surface as practicable, keeping away from pool walls and skimmer boxes.
- Allow the filtration system to run for a minimum of 4–6 hours (residential pool) before retesting and applying any further dose.
- Do not dose more than the calculated maximum per treatment session. For pools, do not attempt to raise pH by more than 0.4 units in a single dosing event.
Industrial and Process Dosing
- For continuous or batch dosing systems, prepare soda ash solution at a concentration of 50–150 g/L (5–15% w/v) in a dedicated chemical make-up tank constructed from polyethylene (PE), fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), or 316 stainless steel.
- Add soda ash to the make-up tank first, then slowly add water while agitating with a mechanical mixer or recirculation pump. Fill to the required volume.
- Allow 15–30 minutes of agitation to ensure complete dissolution before placing into service.
- Transfer to dosing vessel or injection point via chemical-grade peristaltic or diaphragm pump with HDPE or PVDF wetted parts. Avoid using brass or copper fittings in prolonged contact with soda ash solutions.
- Label all vessels clearly with product identity, concentration, and date of preparation. Soda ash solutions should be used within 30 days and stored in sealed containers to minimise atmospheric COâ‚‚ absorption, which can cause partial conversion to sodium bicarbonate over time.
Chemical Compatibility
Compatible Materials
- Plastics: High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PVDF — suitable for storage and handling equipment
- Metals: 304 and 316 stainless steel for short-term contact; mild steel acceptable for dry solid storage
- Fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP): Suitable for storage tanks
- Rubber: EPDM and neoprene gaskets and seals are generally compatible
- Pool chemicals it is routinely used alongside: Chlorine (trichlor, dichlor, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite) when added separately with adequate contact time between additions; cyanuric acid; calcium chloride
Incompatible Materials and Chemicals — Do Not Mix
- Acids (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, muriatic acid, sodium bisulfate, pH reducer): Violent, exothermic neutralisation reaction producing carbon dioxide gas. Never mix soda ash directly with acids in concentrated form. In pool operations, always allow at least 30 minutes between acid and soda ash additions, and never add both to the same area of the pool simultaneously.
- Strong oxidising agents (calcium hypochlorite granules, lithium hypochlorite, potassium monopersulfate): Risk of exothermic reaction
| Weight | 25 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 58 × 42 × 20 cm |
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