High pH every test for new pool- can't seem to get pH down.

[TheFrenchPool]

Hi guys,

I'm a new pool owner and am having high pH, 8.2, every test.

I've been adding the muriatic acid as recommended in the pool calculator, but each test seems to be same - 8.2.

Is this expected for a new pool? Also, more info, after one month we turned on the swg.

Should I be testing and adding more often? I just can't seem to get the pH down.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.
Can you post a full set of test results?

 

[TheFrenchPool]

Welcome to the forum.
Can you post a full set of test results?

chlorine was 5 and alk was 80

 

[mknauss]

How are you testing your pool water chemistry? Test pH every day and lower it to 7.6. Your new plaster will push your pH up for some time.

 

[TheFrenchPool]

How are you testing your pool water chemistry? Test pH every day and lower it to 7.6. Your new plaster will push your pH up for some time.

Thanks. Any idea how long it takes to bring the pH down? So I just keep supplying the Pool Math calculator recommendation of muriatic acid daily until the pH drops?

 

[mknauss]

When you add the acid, the pH falls immediately. But it rises due to TA and aeration. Is this plaster new? That really puts pressure on the pH as the new plaster is adding TA constantly.

Test pH daily. If at 8, lower it to 7.6. Test TA every few days as you need that value in Poolmath for the calculation of the amount of acid needed to lower the pH.

 

[TheFrenchPool]

Thanks, Marty! Yes, the pool is a few months old now. The pool people added chemicals the first month once a week as part of the build, and I took over after the swg was added and have been adding weekly as well.

 

[mknauss]

You need to get the 'weekly' thing out of your mind. Test daily (pH and FC) now. Once you get to know the pool, you can go to testing twice or three times a week. This is during swim season. In your area, by November the pool should go pretty dormant, though you will need to add chlorine every once in a while. The SWCG will stop producing chlorine when the pool water goes below 60F or so.

 

[tim5055]

Also, what are you using to test? I didn't see that.