PH Keeps Increasing

[ken_sugarland]

After 8 years of tablets I'm 3 weeks into the BBB method thanks to all of the great advice on this forum. Got tired of the frequent drain/fill cycles to reduce my CYA.
I got the CYA down to 50 from 140.
Here are my latest test results (Taylor K-2006 test kit)
FC- 6.0
CC- 0.0
PH- 7.5
TA- 100
CH- 225
CYA- 50
The water is crystal clear, best it has ever looked.

My problem is the PH creeps up to 8.0 in 3-4 days, I add acid to bring it down but in another 3-4 days it's back up to 8.0.

When I used tablets and cal-hypo for chlorination I didn't have to adjust the PH, it stayed pretty constant. (tested with the Aqua-Chek TruTest prior to the Taylor K-2006)

Can anyone help? Am I doing something wrong? I'm going on vacation soon for 2 weeks, I am going back to tablets then but now I'm worried about the PH over that period of time.

Thanks

 

[JohnT]

The tabs push the pH down. You were adding acid before, but it was the chlorine tablets. Try bringing it down to 7-7.2 and keeping it closer to that end of the range. That should help drive your TA down which will help.

 

[JasonLion]

To elaborate on what JohnT said a little, your TA is above what we recommend. As a result your PH will tend to go up. By lowering TA you will certainly reduce, and hopefully eliminate, the PH increases.

 

[ken_sugarland]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll get the PH down to 7.0-7.2 as you suggested. I don't have a problem having to add acid routinely, I was just worried about what would happen during the two weeks when I will be away. Sounds like it won't be an issue because I will be using tabs again for that time.

What kind of problems could I have if the PH rises to 8.0 or greater for 2 weeks?

Thanks

 

[Donldson]

You could get scaling if the pH is that high, but it probably won't do any real damage your pool. Your tablets will help keep it down during that time.

I had the same problem when I stopped using trichlor. Once your TA comes down it will start to slow down. Last year I had to add acid every other day, this year it is about once a week.