Low TA, High PH

[akirasun]

I've had the pool going for a week. Everything tested fine until today. We had a lot of rain the last couple days.

Today FC was zero, PH was at the top reading on my drop tester, and TA is 60. I added PH decreaser, but that didn't change the PH reading, so I did an acid demand test, and it said to add 3/4c acid. I decided to do a TA test before adding more acid, and the TA tested at 60. I added the recommended chlorine as bleach, and the chlorine level is currently normal.

What do you recommend? Should I fix the TA then fix the PH?

Do I need to wait until the PH is fixed to allow people to swim?

Thanks!

 

[akirasun]

I also changed the filter this morning right after the initial test. Don't know if that matters, but there it is.

 

[akirasun]

Another question: I added algaecide the day I set the pool up and planned on adding a maintenance dose today. Can I add that dose before the PH and TA are under control or do I need to address those first?

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

I recommend reading the temporary pool guide in pool school. It will help you get the start up right.



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[akirasun]

I did that. First four days were dichlor.

EDIT: Or, if more details are needed: First day was PH decreaser, dichlor, and algaecide. Next three days were dichlor. Now I just test each day and add whatever the pool calculator says. Last night I had to add borax. Now the PH is too high.

 

[JamesW]

Last night I had to add borax. Now the PH is too high.

Why did you have to add Borax, and how much did you add?

 

[akirasun]

Last night I had to add borax. Now the PH is too high.

Why did you have to add Borax, and how much did you add?

The PH was low, so I entered the value into the pool calculator and added whatever it said. I should have written it down. I can't remember what it was now. Maybe I made a mistake and added too much and that's why it's too high today.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

: goodjob:

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[UnderWaterVanya]

What type of test are you using to determine chlorine? Does it give you shades of yellow or pink? If pink, then it is the DPD test which can bleach out and give false zero results. I don't think that is the issue but I want to be sure since high chlorine also can give high pH results that are false. In those cases the pH color would be a kind of purple.

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[akirasun]

Hooray, it's fixed! (PH decreaser, wait, test, PH decreaser, wait test, PH decreaser, wait, test. Bingo!)

I have the yellow chlorine test.

I don't know how it got out of whack. I'm guessing I made a mistake while I was in a hurry last night. In any case, hooray for the pool calculator. Now all is well.

 

[akirasun]

Thank you for your expertise.

 

[Charlie_R]

Even though you have a "seasonal" pool, you would be money ahead to order a good test kit.

The TF-100 gives good value for your money, and is guaranteed to have fresh reagents. http://tftestkits.net/