why does my pH keep creepin up???

[flyweed]

Hi everybody...well off to a great summer here so far...got my swamp mess cleaned up from a nasty fall..and my pool has been doing very well. However, one issue I am having that I have NEVER head the past 3 years is pH creep.

my params are: ( I use a SWCG)

FC - 4
CC - 0
pH -7.8 (currently)
CYA - 45 (I know it's a tad low for a SWG setup..but I am slowly raising it, just don't want to overshoot)
Temp - 82 F

I lowered my pH two days ago with Muriatic Acid, down to 7.2, and it constantly creeps up. today it's at 7.8, and if I test again tomorrow it'll most likely be 8.0 or a tad higher.

Why's it doing this???

Thanks
Dan

 

[aa62579]

What's your TA level?

 

[lightingguy]

Most likely a combination of high TA and the SWG

Is the SWG new this year? Did you use pucks last year?

Post CH and TA - might give some insight

 

[flyweed]

I'll check my CH and TA this morning and post back...I've had a SWG for 3 years now..and I've NEVER used pucks.

 

[flyweed]

some new numbers from this morning:

TA = 220 (yep high)
CH = 120 (I'm not really worried about this number, since I have a vinyl pool

 

[Richard320]

Well, you found the answer - high TA. It's going to take a lot of acid to get rid of it. Either keep lowering pH and let it run its course, or lower pH and aerate vigorously. Then repeat as needed. Same amount of acid, just in a smaller timeframe.

 

[flyweed]

Richard....I think I'll just turn my return up into the air, so it splashes and breaks surface..and then keep my pH low (6.8-7.0) I have 4 gallons of Muriatic sitting here, so acid additions won't be a problem.

 

[Richard320]

Richard....I think I'll just turn my return up into the air, so it splashes and breaks surface..and then keep my pH low (6.8-7.0) I have 4 gallons of Muriatic sitting here, so acid additions won't be a problem.

Try not to go below 7.2. The lower pH you're suggesting probably won't harm any equipment, but it's rough on swimmers' eyes. And perfect pool chemistry isn't just for show - it's for swimming!

 

[anonapersona]

You could ask your water company if they have changed source water recently. It may be that TA was lower in the past. They will know.

 

[flyweed]

WHOOO HOOOO....well after about 3 weeks of aerating my pool and continually adding Muriatic acid to keep my pH at 7.2...my TA is now successfully down to 100ppm!! I was shocked when I tested this morning and the test started turning red on about the 8th drop of solution!! Yippee!! So happy to have it down after a battle of high TA for two season now.

Dan