High pH/TA/TDS

yad007

Member
Oct 12, 2019
23
san jose, ca
Am I doing it right?

1. Bring pH/TA down by adding Muriatic acid (199oz of 14.5%) (What do I do with left over muriatic acid)
2. After TA/pH settles, add 215oz liquid stabillizer

-is the TDS too high? Shd I worry abt it now/later?

Current readings
FC 6
TC 6
pH 7.9
TA 131
Cya 17
Iron 0.1
Copper 0.1
Phospates 1094
TDS 2900
 
Hi Yad!

We do not worry about or test for Phosphates or TDS. The test results you've posted look like Pool Store numbers, which are often unreliable. Before you make any drastic changes/additions, I'd recommend you get yourself one of our Recommended Test Kits (Test Kits Compared), like the TF-100, and perform your own set of tests.

I wouldn't add stabilizer until you confirm with your own test results, because once it's in the water you can't remove it without draining. Also, liquid stabilizer is much more expensive, so unless you already have some just get dry stabilizer and dissolve it in a sock inside the pool next to the return.

Don't worry too much about the TA -- assuming your pH level is correct, just add enough MA (muratic acid) to get the PH down to about 7.4. The calculations aren't exact, so it's easier to add a little less than needed and then re-adjust versus risking lowering your PH too low. Your TA will come down some with the pH. When the pH drifts back up, you'll add more MA and the TA will keep coming down and stabilize over time.

As for storing your MA in between uses, I keep mine outdoors in a loosely-covered 5-gallon bucket. It's corrosive and has a vented cap, so it's ideal not to keep it in a garage or near metal.

If you haven't already, have a read through ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry.
 
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Thanks Magitek.
Yes, I tested with my Tf100. cya < 20 and ph was on the high side. I haven't done any pH adjustments before, hence checking here.
(The pool store test was an yearly check)
Sounds good. The CYA test value should be rounded up, so I'd consider <20 to be 20, and add based on that. Since 20 is the minimum the TF-100 can measure, "less than 20" could also really be anything 0-20, but you don't want to overshoot.

So add a little (as if your current number is 20) and then test again in a few days to see if you need to add more.

On the pH front, hopefully I answered your questions! Let us know if you need any clarification.
 
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