Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

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cj133

Well-known member
May 6, 2018
719
NJ
Hi all,

This is my first time maintaining a pool and I just finished filling it early this morning before heading to work.

I haven't tested the actual water in the pool yet as I didn't have time, and understand that I need to before doing anything.

However, when I tested our tap water using my K-2006 kit my total alkalinity was 175 PPM. I tested it twice as I didn't believe the results. My PH was 7.8.

My question is, assuming the pool tests this high or close to it, how should I go about attacking the problem? I.E. how fast should I add my acid to the pool? I'm guessing I shouldn't treat it all at once but rather take baby steps over many days?

Is it ok to slowly pour it into the skimmer directly, or do I need to mix it with water first?
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

Do not pour muriatic acid into slimmer. Pour it in front of a return jet and then after a few minutes brush the bottom of the pool.

TA will take steps to lower. You need to drop your pH to 7.2 with acid then raise pH by aerating your water. Then use acid again. Repeat until you reach your TA goal.
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

GOONiE said:
Do not pour muriatic acid into slimmer. Pour it in front of a return jet and then after a few minutes brush the bottom of the pool.

TA will take steps to lower. You need to drop your pH to 7.2 with acid then raise pH by aerating your water. Then use acid again. Repeat until you reach your TA goal.
Click to expand...


Thank you for taking the time to respond.
So basically, add some acid and wait....... that sounds easy enough.


Is the brushing 100% necessary? I ask because I haven't picked up a vacuum yet, but will over the next few days. I'd like to start treatment tonight though, if possible.
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

However, there is no specific reason to focus on TA level, unless you have scaling tendency due to high CH (above 500 ppm) or your pH is rising very fast (in a day or two) to above 7.8

Take care.
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

cj133 said:
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
So basically, add some acid and wait....... that sounds easy enough.


Is the brushing 100% necessary? I ask because I haven't picked up a vacuum yet, but will over the next few days. I'd like to start treatment tonight though, if possible.
Click to expand...

The brushing is to help ensure a complete mixing of the MA. It is heavier than water so it tends to sink to the bottom. It can cause problems if it sits on your liner. If you don't have a pool brush you can use any soft bristled brush or broom.
This is assuming you have an above ground vinyl liner pool.
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

It is not absolutely necessary. What is necesary is to avoid acid, or other chemicals, pooling on the bottom of the pool and damaging the pool surface. So, pour slowly in front of a return with the pump on. You can see the acid in the water. Enter your test results in PoolMath and add enough acid to lower pH to 7.2.

More here, Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

Ah,

So I may not even need to lower my TA at all?

I assumed if my test said it was high, I would automatically have problems with PH bounce.


Like I said, I've never done this before, just have been doing a lot of reading on here.
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

Yes, if you're TA is high then your pH will rise faster. Adding acid to lower pH will also lower TA and over time your TA will drop.
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

pooldv said:
Yes, if you're TA is high then your pH will rise faster. Adding acid to lower pH will also lower TA and over time your TA will drop.
Click to expand...


So, if my TA is 175, but I find my PH is 7.4 I don't have to do anything with my TA.

Is 7.8 close enough? :)
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

As you test your pH each day, when it reaches 7.8, you would add enough acid to lower it to 7.4. Be sure the TA value is in PoolMath as it effects how much acid you use. Every week, test TA so you can update PoolMath.
 

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Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

mknauss said:
As you test your pH each day, when it reaches 7.8, you would add enough acid to lower it to 7.4. Be sure the TA value is in PoolMath as it effects how much acid you use. Every week, test TA so you can update PoolMath.
Click to expand...


Got it.

I should be able to use the acid demand in the K-2006 kit for this as well, correct?
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

So, finally my numbers are starting to look normal.
I've added a total of 38 ounces of Muraric acid over time.​



Last night I added another 14oz of Muriatic acid and 24 ounces of 8% bleach.

Tonight my PH is 7.4, FC 4.8, CYA 30, TA 140.
As my TA comes down.............do I want to cover the Intex aerator at one point to stop it from raising my PH? Or, is that not how any of this works?
 
Re: Total Alkalinity of 175 ppm.......How fast to treat?

Hi all,

I finally dropped my TA from 160-175 down to 80 and my PH is 7.4.

Should I keep using the Intex aerator, or do I have to cover it?
 
Poolzzz said:
The bubbles are nice. Maybe keep them and let the ta drift lower to compensate. What equipment you running? Filling out your signature usually improves the quality of answers you get since people know your exact system.
Click to expand...


I'm sorry about that, I've been slacking. I'll try to get it filled in this weekend.

Pool is an Intex 15'48" with their smaller 14" sand fillter and pump, I think the system does 1600 gal an hour with the filter. I'm using Intex's 1.5" intake and return cut into the pool and that return has an aerator built in. I'm also using their surface skimmer and have the pool a bit on the full side, all of the checkered pattern is covered pretty much.

I just tested the TA and PH using a Taylor K-2006 and the TA was 90, PH was 7.8.

I thought about it for a bit, and added 3 ounces of acid. I'll see where it's at in the morning. I guess worse case if the TA drops too much I'll just add some tap water. :p

I did close up the aerator though, I also didn't realize they help cool the water. We've been hoping to get ours above 65.​
 

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