WATER BALANCERS: Your pH levels, Alkalinity levels, and Hardness levels are your water balancers. Chlorine (or its alternative) will sanitize, disinfect, and oxidize your water. pH, Alkalinity, and Hardness are responsible for balancing your water, creating optimal water chemistry. If all of these chemicals are within their desired ranges, and if circulation is adequate and a maintenance schedule is being followed, the result will be clean, clear, blue, and sparkling water.