pH Balancing with SWG

[lagman]

Hi All,

After installing my SWG, I've noticed it takes much more muriatic acid to keep my pH in check. I believe this is normal, but is there a way to tell the PoolMath calculcator to account for SWG when calculating the amounts? Doing what PoolMath says doesn't even make a dent in my pH.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[PoolGate]

If this is the case you probably have the wrong size pool volume calculated. What are your pool's measurements?

 

[Texas Splash]

Dan, I would also be curious to know what pH target you are trying to achieve? Also, what is your current TA?

 

[lagman]

Hmm.. I haven't measured TA in a while but I'd guess it is probably higher than normal. Would that make pH more difficult to lower? I guess I just assumed the muriatic acid would lower both. I'm trying to get to 7.6.

 

[lagman]

If this is the case you probably have the wrong size pool volume calculated. What are your pool's measurements?

24ft round. I have the dimensions/gallons punched into PoolMath.

 

[Texas Splash]

Would that make pH more difficult to lower?

Absolutely.

 

[Texas Splash]

I'm never surprised to see owners in your region, anywhere from MN across the other top tier of Great Lake neighboring states to have an exceptionally high pool and fill water TA.

 

[PoolGate]

24ft round. I have the dimensions/gallons punched into PoolMath.

15k gallons. I would add what poolmath suggests. Measure again in 30 minutes and keep going through poolmath adding more acid to see where you end up. The ends of the scale are harder to read accurately. Also consider an electronic pH meter. I usually look for an orange tint to know I am where I want to be.

 

[lagman]

Since the SWG aerates, if I keep adding MA will the TA eventually get low enough so pH doesn't keep rising?

 

[PoolStored]

Since the SWG aerates, if I keep adding MA will the TA eventually get low enough so pH doesn't keep rising?

The impact of SWCG on pH is negligible. Yes. Manage your pH, as you lower pH after it rises, it will bring down your TA. Just manage pH.

 

[PoolGate]

Since the SWG aerates, if I keep adding MA will the TA eventually get low enough so pH doesn't keep rising?

The SWG does not aerate. Waterfalls do. You can add acid to bring it down to around 7 then aerate it back up and repeat which lowers the T/A. I did this a couple years ago it is a long process but I ended up lowering my T/A by around 20. Basically you are pre-loading the acid. I add a gallon of acid per week in season it is not really a big deal just one of the maintenance tasks.

 

[lagman]

The SWG does not aerate. Waterfalls do. You can add acid to bring it down to around 7 then aerate it back up and repeat which lowers the T/A. I did this a couple years ago it is a long process but I ended up lowering my T/A by around 20. Basically you are pre-loading the acid. I add a gallon of acid per week in season it is not really a big deal just one of the maintenance tasks.

FYI this is why I was thinking SWGs aerate: Lower Total Alkalinity

 

[mknauss]

Missed that. Need to revise that article. @Leebo