After SLAM, my PH is very RED

[cody21]

I just went through the SLAM process. My FC is still 13.5 and water looks much much better than 4 days ago. And the OLCT is 0.0 .... So I'll just let the CL normalize back to around 4-5.0

I decided to also check my PH this morning and it is very very RED. ( started with around 7.2 before SLAMMING). The figure now is much higher than the test kit's number of 8.2 .. (maybe 10?) Reading through the SLAM procedure there is no mention of a HIGH PH during this SLAM process, but skimming thru some other postings it appears that it is normal for this to happen. So my question is, do I add MA now to bring the PH back down, or do I just let the CL normalize and expect the PH to also drop? (Suggest that this detail be included in your SLAM link.)

Thanks again.

 

[pwrstrk]

The PH test will read a false high with FC levels of 10 or more. Just let your FC drift down below 10 then retest your PH. ?

 

[cody21]

Thanks ... will do.

 

[cody21]

OK, I'm back looking for recommendations. So My CL level is back down, to 6.5, cc=0 .. Pool looks great, finally. My PH remains high - very very red (higher than the Test Kit's figure). No idea what the actual value is, but obviously higher than 8.0 ... I've added Muratic Acid - several times now and quite a bit based on Pool Calc .. but the color doesn't seem to want to budge. Thanks again.

 

[jblizzle]

What test kit do you have? Verify you are using the correct reagent for the pH test.

 

[cody21]

The Taylor blue test kit K-1000 that came with my main TF-100 test kit. I bought a replacement bottle of the R-0004 reagant from Leslie's pools ... Reading the label it says "ph Indicator Solution - use with 2000 Series Comparator" << Maybe THAT's the issue ???? I wasn't aware that Reagants were Test-kit-specific ?????

 

[Richard320]

Yes, there are two different pH indicators. The right one for you is R-0014. http://tftestkits.net/R-0014-Phenol-Red-for-TF-100-p20.html

 

[jblizzle]

Apparently you did not check the reagent number on your empty bottle.

The smaller test block (in the TF-100) uses R-0014 for the pH. The K-200X has a larger test block that uses R-0004.

Try only using 2 or 3 drops and you should be able to get a good reading. Ideally you should get the correct reagent.

 

[JasonLion]

You can use the R-0004 in a pinch, just use two drops instead of five. Changing the number of drops will change the "saturation" of the color, but not the hue. When taking the measurement what matters is the hue (red/yellow/pink).

 

[cody21]

OK, thanks all ... I guess I was brain dead when I walked into Leslie's asking for that, and never really noticed the different numbers ... I'll get the correct refill & do the test with just 2 drops for now.

 

[JasonLion]

Just to be clear, if using R-0004 with the K-1000 comparator you use 2 drops, but if using R-0014 you use 5 drops as normal.

 

[cody21]

Yea, I got that, thanks.