Help lowering TA in new pool!

[PoolBrews]

My pool is now a little over 3 months old. My TA has consistently remained in the 100-110 range no matter what I do. I've used MA to drop pH to 7.0-7.2, but it never seems to bring the TA down.

I've read a number of threads here that say to reduce pH to low 7's with MA (thus reducing TA), then aerate to bring pH back up. My pool is very simple - no bubblers, no water features, no slide - just basic returns.

I don't see a good way to aerate in my pool to help this process. Am I missing something? Are there other ways to reduct TA?

 

[mknauss]

What is the TA of your fill water and how much fill water is needed to maintain your pool water level?

The only way to lower TA is to use acid. That lowers the pH and TA. Then pH will rise from aeration.

Point your returns up so they break the water surface as much as possible.

The TA will not rise unless you are adding it, via chemicals or fill water.

 

[tim5055]

First, of all the numbers we track in the pool, TA is the one we say kind of ignore most of the time. The only thing that your 100-110 TA may cause is quicker pH rise.

Folks who are trying to force it down usually construct a "fountain" from PVC pipe and replace one of their returns with it. But, trying ot force your TA down may just consume the muratic acid you would normally need over the next several months if you just left it alone.

Test your fill water and you may find high TA there, meaning this may be a battle you might not want to fight.

 

[ajw22]

I don't see a good way to aerate in my pool to help this process. Am I missing something?

Aeration - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[PoolBrews]

A lot of great information! I checked my fill water from the tap - I can't believe I never checked it before! It's 130 coming out of the tap.

Kind of surprised that I'm able to keep it at 100 now... Is that an issue long term?

With regards to amount of fill water - I'm not sure as I have an autofill. I do know my water bill has not changed over what it was last year, so it can't be adding much at all.

I could turn it off to determine what my normal fill rate is, but I'm not sure how that helps now that I know my fill has a TA of 130.

 

[ajw22]

Fill water TA of 130 means you should just let your TA find it's natural number and not try and force it down much beyond what you have it. Your normal pH acid reduction will keep your TA down a bit. That is the best you can do.

 

[Oly]

My tap water has a TA of 170ppm.
When I filled my pool after a drain I needed to add acid every week to keep my pH below 8.
Over time the pool pH settled in at 7.8 and will rise slowly during the summer months when I add water to make up for evaporation and splash out.
I also use Trichlor pucks to raise my CYA in the spring and for when I am away from home and that lowers my pH as well.

Focus on keeping you pH below 8 and monitor your CSI, Calcite Saturation Index to guide you in balancing your pool water rather that stressing about TA levels.

 

[Katodude]

The summer Florida rains will be your friend. They will aerate your pool, add water with no TA, and you will be able to get your TA down. Once the rains start down here, I basically never have to add water to the pool.

This is the toughest time of year since the warm days and cool nights cause the most evaporation requiring additional fill. My solar cover is helping with that.