Using lots of acid

[Fishy1234]

Since the beginning of summer, I have been adding 1 gallon of acid every 2 -3 days. I add a gallon of chlorine then next day I have to add acid. Ph was 7.4 yesterday today it's at 7.8. So today I added another 3/4 gallon acid. Probably using 2-3 gallons of acid weekly.

My pool has a spill over from elevated spa, and an ozonator, no other features. What could be causing the high acid requirement?

FC 7, CC 0, PH 8, Alk 80, CH 450, CYA 60,
Using Taylor k2006.

After adding Acid and running pump for 3 hours I went to pool store and got some really off results. FC 7.5, PH 8.0, ALK 130, CYA 40, CH 225, TDS 1600.

USING New test strip
PH 7.2, Alk 80

 

[RoyR]

Post a picture of the water running over the spillway...how long does it run?

 

[mknauss]

Your fill water most likely has a high TA. Your evaporation means you are using a lot of fill water.

What strength acid are you using?

Liquid chlorine is pH neutral.

 

[ajw22]

Ignore the pool store and test strip tests. They are worthless.

Your spa spillover is the likely contributor to your rapid pH rise. The spillover creates aeration that raises pH.

 

[Fishy1234]

Older pics but you can see the opening where water flows out of spa and into the pool.
I am using 10% liquid pool chlorine, and 14% pool acid from home depot or Lowe's. 12lb bags of Baking soda from Walmart.
When Alkalinity drops to below 70 I add the baking soda, and 1 bag brings Alkalinity up to 100. However then I find my pool goes crazy needing more frequent doses of acid to keep PH down.

 

[frogabog]

Look for the 31% acid. It's twice the potency, usually the same cost.

Leave TA at 70 and see if your pH doesn't rise as fast. 70 is fine, just watch your CSI in Pool Math (subscribe and turn on "share with TFP" so we can see your logs). Turn off the spa spillover when you don't need it spilling. Aeration raises pH.

 

[ajw22]

TA down to 50 is ok. Stop raising your TA. High TA causes pH to rise quicker.

 

[Fishy1234]

TA down to 50 is ok. Stop raising your TA. High TA causes pH to rise quicker.

I was going by what I read yo keep it between 80 - 120.

 

[Fishy1234]

Look for the 31% acid. It's twice the potency, usually the same cost.

Leave TA at 70 and see if your pH doesn't rise as fast. 70 is fine, just watch your CSI in Pool Math (subscribe and turn on "share with TFP" so we can see your logs). Turn off the spa spillover when you don't need it spilling. Aeration raises pH.

I have never seen the acid any higher than 14%. The spillover is built in. Somehow builder has the electric valve cammed to stop halfway between pool and spa.

 

[ajw22]

I was going by what I read yo keep it between 80 - 120.

General guidelines work for the vast majority of pools. With your situation you can go down to TA 50.

 

[wireform]

Lowes has the acid in the paint department. I think it goes by the name JASCO. They carry two strengths. Check the label and get the one that is if I remember correctly about 31 or 34%.

 

[ajw22]

I have never seen the acid any higher than 14%. The spillover is built in. Somehow builder has the electric valve cammed to stop halfway between pool and spa.

It may be a California thing. Last half of this thread discusses it.

Home Depot 31.45 muriatic acid

Is the 31.45 muriatic acid at home depot the same as the 31.45 radio on poolmath? Was not sure because it had baume. Thanks!

www.troublefreepool.com

You can change the cam and adjust the Spa return valve. What automation panel do you have? You need to enable your SPILLOVER mode on your automation.

 

[Bvacchiano]

Ditch Home Depot and go to Lowe’s. Get the Kemtec MA which is 31%. It’s in the outdoor section with the pool stuff.

 

[Fishy1234]

It may be a California thing. Last half of this thread discusses it.

Home Depot 31.45 muriatic acid

Is the 31.45 muriatic acid at home depot the same as the 31.45 radio on poolmath? Was not sure because it had baume. Thanks!

www.troublefreepool.com

You can change the cam and adjust the Spa return valve. What automation panel do you have? You need to enable your SPILLOVER mode on your automation m

It's a pentair panel.

 

[mknauss]

Sounds like you have an Easytouch. That automation will run a Spillover function. You will need to readjust the cam stop on the valve actuator.

 

[Fishy1234]

Sounds like you have an Easytouch. That automation will run a Spillover function. You will need to readjust the cam stop on the valve actuator.

Oh great, if only I were a mechanic.

 

[Fishy1234]

Oh great, if only I were a mechanic.

So this is picture of the spa spillover in action.

 

[Chickinvic]

Yes, the spillover will be causing considerable rise in your PH. I don't know about your area, but here I buy muriatic acid in the paint department of Canadian Tire (like a Lowes, etc).

Your pool is gorgeous btw.

 

[mknauss]

Oh great, if only I were a mechanic.

Pretty good YouTube on how to adjust the cam stop. It is really easy.

 

[Fishy1234]

Yes the panel is easy touch.