High PH for 3 weeks now.

[Rosyvette]

Hi, I've been having trouble with the ph. It's been high all the time, I use the recommended amount of muriatic acid and it goes to the normal range but after a few hours it starts to go up again and within 24 hrs or so it goes all the way up to 8.2. I'm new pool owner and I don't know what could be affecting the ph. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Can you tell us more about your pool by filling out your signature? See mine as an example. It will help with replies. Also tell us how your test your water and if you have any accessories in the pool (i.e. waterfall, bubblers, etc).

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Rosyvette]

Welcome to TFP! Can you tell us more about your pool by filling out your signature? See mine as an example. It will help with replies. Also tell us how your test your water and if you have any accessories in the pool (i.e. waterfall, bubblers, etc).

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

I think I did the signature just now, thank you but here is what I put: 13k gal, plaster, Salt Water Generator Pentair iChlor 30, Pump Hayward Max-Flo XL, FilterPentair Clean & Clear Cartridg

 

[Texas Splash]

Got it. Now here in the TFP forum we are BIG advocates of reliable at-home water testing. We generally recommend either a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C test kit. They are easy to use and reliable. So if you don't have one of those, we would highly encourage it.

Now about a rising pH. There are generally 3 reasons:
- New plaster still curing
- Too much aeration (waterfalls, bubblers, etc) running all the time
- An elevated TA (let's say above 100 as a general example). There's a LOT of flexibility with the TA, so don't get locked into a specific TA number, it's more about what TA "range" helps to keep the pH stable. Your pH might remain stable with a TA at 90-100, or might do better at 50-60.

But keep in mind the test kit. Doing chemical changes without accurate/reliable results ends up in a yo-yo game of up & down dosing which we don't want you to do. If you have questions, just let us know.

 

[Rosyvette]

Got it. Now here in the TFP forum we are BIG advocates of reliable at-home water testing. We generally recommend either a TF-100 or Taylor K-1006C test kit. They are easy to use and reliable. So if you don't have one of those, we would highly encourage it.

Now about a rising pH. There are generally 3 reasons:
- New plaster still curing
- Too much aeration (waterfalls, bubblers, etc) running all the time
- An elevated TA (let's say above 100 as a general example). There's a LOT of flexibility with the TA, so don't get locked into a specific TA number, it's more about what TA "range" helps to keep the pH stable. Your pH might remain stable with a TA at 90-100, or might do better at 50-60.

But keep in mind the test kit. Doing chemical changes without accurate/reliable results ends up in a yo-yo game of up & down dosing which we don't want you to do. If you have questions, just let us know.

The pool was done last November so it is kind of new plaster. I do not have any aeration. So if the plaster is a reason for the ph to be high, what do I do? Just ignore it? Which of the Taylor kit do you recommend better, the 100 or 1006c?

 

[Rosyvette]

Also I have a water heater and the temperature is set to 85 but it gets to 87 because of the sun. Does the temperature has something to do with it?

 

[IceShadow]

The pool was done last November so it is kind of new plaster. I do not have any aeration. So if the plaster is a reason for the ph to be high, what do I do? Just ignore it? Which of the Taylor kit do you recommend better, the 100 or 1006c?

Test Kits Compared has the two kits. I got the Taylor K-s006C and I ended up with a lot of extra test chems when it expired. Looking back I probably should have gone with the TFT-100, and plan to get that when my current chems expire.

I am a vinyl pool user but if the plaster is still causing a pH rise, my understanding is you keep putting in acid. Eventually it’ll stop rising. Keep an eye on your TA levels to make sure they don’t go too low.

 

[Texas Splash]

Water temp can influence some factors or chemistry, but it's not our major concern right now. Here are a few things to watch:
- Yes, control the pH rise with muriatic acid. Your plaster is probably still curing. Try to keep the pH at 7.8 or a little lower. Test every 2-3 days and adjust.
- Don't let the FC fall too low. Without a proper test kit it will be tough, but do your best.
- I recommend the TF-100 (link in my signature). It's full of Taylor products but packaged at a better price. If you get the Taylor K-2006C, make sure it has the "C" suffice (larger bottles).

 

[Rosyvette]

Water temp can influence some factors or chemistry, but it's not our major concern right now. Here are a few things to watch:
- Yes, control the pH rise with muriatic acid. Your plaster is probably still curing. Try to keep the pH at 7.8 or a little lower. Test every 2-3 days and adjust.
- Don't let the FC fall too low. Without a proper test kit it will be tough, but do your best.
- I recommend the TF-100 (link in my signature). It's full of Taylor products but packaged at a better price. If you get the Taylor K-2006C, make sure it has the "C" suffice (larger bottles).

I have Sutro a smart Pool monitor. It was recommended by a friend. It only read ph, free chlorine and alkalinity and that’s why I want to get a kit. Thank you so much for all your help.

 

[Rosyvette]

Test Kits Compared has the two kits. I got the Taylor K-1006c and I ended up with a lot of extra test chems when it expired. Looking back I probably should have gone with the TFT-100, and plan to get that when my current chems expire.

I am a vinyl pool user but if the plaster is still causing a pH rise, my understanding is you keep putting in acid. Eventually it’ll stop rising. Keep an eye on your TA levels to make sure they don’t go too low.

Thank you. Being a new Pool owner can be a little overwhelming.

 

[ajw22]

Note the recommended test kit is the Taylor K-2006C, not the K-1006C which folks typoed in the messages above.

Although the TF-100 Test Kits uses Taylor reagents and is a better value.

Service Complete™ kit for Chlorine, pH, Alkalinity, Hardness, CYA (FAS-DPD–high range) (2 oz bottles)

 

[Texas Splash]

Thank you. Being a new Pool owner can be a little overwhelming.

Lot's of good folks here eager to help. We see lots of new gadgets on the market that claim to do just about everything for a pool owner, but in the end, there is no substitute for doing your own water testing. You'll see. It's quite easy and very reliable with a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C. Once you do it, you'll look back and wonder why you never did it before. Water testing, unlike car care, home repairs, etc, is still one of those few things we can still do on our own.

 

[Lineman7]

My pool was finished July last year. I have fought PH and TA for almost a year now. It's just part of the cycle. Have no fear.

Get ya a test kit and get some numbers posted and we'll work it out from there.

My TA was holding at 140 the whole time I've had my pool and Ph wanted to be 8.2 or higher. I've added the correct amount of MA everyday and TA wouldn't budge. PH would come down for a day or 2 and then back up. Last week after too many cocktails and being at wits end with the fight, I dumped a lot of MA in the pool. Woke up next morning and tested and got TA=40 & PH=6.8. I let that ride and after a few days TA was 40 and PH 7.2. I tested 2 days ago and TA=50 & PH 7.6 I'm glad I made my cocktail induced decision. I know my TA will probably creep due to auto-fill & PH will do the same due to waterfall, bubblers and kids doing cannonballs My PH seems happier with a lower TA#

 

[Rosyvette]

My pool was finished July last year. I have fought PH and TA for almost a year now. It's just part of the cycle. Have no fear.

Get ya a test kit and get some numbers posted and we'll work it out from there.

My TA was holding at 140 the whole time I've had my pool and Ph wanted to be 8.2 or higher. I've added the correct amount of MA everyday and TA wouldn't budge. PH would come down for a day or 2 and then back up. Last week after too many cocktails and being at wits end with the fight, I dumped a lot of MA in the pool. Woke up next morning and tested and got TA=40 & PH=6.8. I let that ride and after a few days TA was 40 and PH 7.2. I tested 2 days ago and TA=50 & PH 7.6 I'm glad I made my cocktail induced decision. I know my TA will probably creep due to auto-fill & PH will do the same due to waterfall, bubblers and kids doing cannonballs My PH seems happier with a lower TA#

Thank you for sharing your experience. I was getting frustrated but now I know to just keep at it or maybe I just need a few cocktails