Exploring Pool Chemistry with Q Hales

In the pool industry, myths die hard. From the belief that you can selectively lower pH without affecting alkalinity by broadcasting acid "like feeding chickens," to blaming every waterline stain on chemical imbalances, misconceptions have plagued pool professionals for decades. But what happens when someone with 40 years of experience managing 2,000 pools a week decides to put these myths to the test?

The Birth of a Pool Chemistry Detective

Q Hales didn't set out to become one of the pool industry's most trusted researchers. His journey began with frustration – the kind every pool professional knows all too well. Getting blamed for problems he didn't cause, watching fellow service techs take the heat for issues beyond their control, and realizing that the pool industry's collective knowledge had some serious gaps.

I got called out on a couple of situations that frustrated me because I knew that it wasn't something I did, but I was getting blamed for it. But I didn't know what it really was. You know, spalling with iron stains in the spalls, and they were blaming it on our water chemistry balance. I'm like, well, then why is all of the rest of the pool intact?

— Q Hales, Talking Pools Podcast

This frustration led Hales to partner with Kim Skinner, owner of Pool Chlor, who had the chemistry background to explain the "why" behind pool problems. Together with Doug Latta from AquaClear in L.A., they formed OnBalance – not as a business venture, but as a platform for sharing research-backed knowledge with the industry.

What makes Hales unique is his approach: he doesn't just accept chemistry explanations at face value. With his English education background, he asks the hard questions and then tests everything in real-world conditions – in pools, in labs, and in the two demo pools built behind his shop specifically for research purposes.

Busting the Acid Dosing Myth That Fooled an Entire Industry

One of Hales' most significant early discoveries involved something that seemed impossible: every acid dosage chart in the pool industry was wrong by 20%. The revelation came when he was working on research about acid application methods and Skinner casually mentioned this discrepancy.

Kim said, well, you know that people aren't going to believe your readings because every industry acid dosage chart is 20% off in the industry. And I'm like, no way... And it turns out it's because lab acid, concentrated HCL that you use in a laboratory is 20% stronger than the pool acid we use.

— Q Hales, Talking Pools Podcast

The problem stemmed from chemists using concentrated HCL (37% strength) for their calculations instead of the muriatic acid actually used in pools (31.45% strength). This meant that for decades, pool professionals were under-dosing acid additions, leading to inconsistent results and frustrated service techs.

When Hales published his findings, the industry's response was telling: "nobody made any fanfers, but everybody fixed their charts." This quiet correction of a fundamental error demonstrated both the industry's resistance to admitting mistakes and its willingness to adopt better practices when presented with solid research.

The Waterline Deposit Revolution: It's Not What You Think

Perhaps no pool maintenance issue generates more finger-pointing than waterline deposits. For years, the default explanation has been chemical imbalance – pH too high, alkalinity off, calcium hardness excessive. Hales' research revealed a more fundamental cause that has nothing to do with water chemistry: evaporation.

The breakthrough came during a presentation when an audience member asked about persistent waterline deposits despite perfect water balance. This led Hales to investigate the actual mechanism behind these deposits, moving beyond the traditional scapegoating of chemical parameters.

His findings showed that as water evaporates at the waterline, it leaves behind concentrated minerals that form deposits regardless of whether the water chemistry is "balanced" according to traditional standards. This discovery shifted focus from reactive chemical adjustments to proactive prevention strategies and proper cleaning techniques.

The Power of Real-World Testing Over Theory

What sets Hales apart from many industry experts is his insistence on validating theories through practical application. His company's unique position – servicing 2,000 pools weekly while having the resources for dedicated research – provides an ideal laboratory for testing industry assumptions.

I've managed a company that services 2,000 pools a week and I've been doing it for 40 years. And so I kind of know what really happens in pools. And so I can see if something just feels right or feels wrong.

— Q Hales, Talking Pools Podcast

This approach has debunked numerous industry myths, including the persistent belief that acid application methods can selectively affect pH versus total alkalinity. The romantic notion that broadcasting acid "like feeding chickens" targets pH while slow, concentrated application affects alkalinity has been thoroughly disproven through Hales' methodical testing.

The research process involves multiple stages: laboratory testing, controlled experiments in demo pools, and real-world validation across hundreds of service accounts. This comprehensive approach ensures that findings aren't just theoretically sound but practically applicable.

Overcoming Industry Resistance to Change

One of the biggest challenges Hales faces isn't chemical – it's psychological. Pool professionals often cling to methods they learned early in their careers, even when presented with evidence that those methods are flawed.

People still, for as long as this information has been out there, they still cling to swimming pool mythology or folklore with a death grip because somebody taught it to them. That's one of the hardest things to bring something to somebody's attention that they'd believed for such a long period of time.

— Q Hales, Talking Pools Podcast

Hales addresses this resistance through education at trade shows, where he can gauge audience understanding and adjust his explanations accordingly. His willingness to admit uncertainty – saying "I don't know" when he genuinely doesn't – builds credibility that helps overcome skepticism about his more definitive findings.

The key to changing minds, according to Hales, is demonstrating that theoretical chemistry must match real-world results. When they don't align, it's time to question the theory, not dismiss the practical observations.

The Future of Evidence-Based Pool Care

Hales' work represents a broader shift toward evidence-based practices in pool maintenance. Rather than relying on tradition or theoretical models that may not account for real-world variables, his approach emphasizes systematic testing and validation.

This methodology has applications far beyond the specific myths he's debunked. It provides a framework for evaluating new products, techniques, and theories that constantly emerge in the pool industry. The principles are straightforward: test assumptions, validate results across multiple scenarios, and be willing to admit when conventional wisdom is wrong.

For pool professionals struggling with persistent problems or inconsistent results, Hales' example offers a path forward: question everything, test systematically, and remember that what works in a laboratory might not work the same way in a backyard pool with real swimmers, varying weather conditions, and unique environmental factors.

Practical Applications for Pool Professionals

The insights from Hales' research translate into immediate improvements for pool maintenance practices. Understanding that waterline deposits are primarily driven by evaporation rather than chemical imbalance changes both prevention strategies and customer education approaches.

Similarly, knowing the real relationship between acid application methods and their effects on pH and alkalinity eliminates wasted time and chemicals spent on ineffective techniques. Pool professionals can focus on proven methods rather than chasing mythical precision that doesn't actually exist.

Perhaps most importantly, Hales' example demonstrates the value of systematic observation and testing. Pool professionals don't need advanced chemistry degrees to identify patterns, test variables, and validate or debunk commonly accepted practices within their own service routes.

The pool industry's evolution toward more scientific, evidence-based practices benefits everyone: professionals get better results with less frustration, customers receive more effective service, and the industry as a whole develops a stronger foundation of reliable knowledge. Thanks to researchers like Q Hales, that foundation continues to grow stronger, one debunked myth at a time.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Awards Process
• 08:30 What is OnBalance?
• 12:15 The Drive to Share Knowledge
• 18:45 Early Research: Iron Deposits and Autofills
• 25:20 The Acid Dosage Chart Discovery
• 32:10 Overcoming Industry Myths and Resistance
• 38:50 Waterline Deposits: The Real Cause
• 45:30 Research Methodology and Real-World Testing