CYA may be too low and pH is too high according to Pool Math

[lastevns]

As the title reads, my CYA is down to 40 (from 50 at setup of pool). And, my pH is reading at 8.2 for the past 3 days. pH fluctuates a little from time to time... it has always been between 7.8 and 8.2 though. I didn't expect CYA to change much at all. But it is definitely lower than where it started. Should I worry about these two numbers? Are there adjustments that I could make that would regulate both so they're more in range?

Adding: I have Cyanuric Acid to increase CYA numbers. That is no problem. But, I haven't invested in Muriatic acid yet. I was planning on draining my pool first and dealing with muriatic if needed, after the refill. But, should I worry about lowering ph now, before I drain and refill?

Adding more: So I was just reading this post: PH - Further Reading and it seems that it MIGHT be better not to read pH just after adding chlorine (I usually add chlorine and then test water again 30-45 minutes later). Is testing pH close to liquid chlorine addition raising my pH numbers artificially? Should I wait longer before retesting pH after adding chlorine? In reading the whole post, it seems my pH wants to stay at 7.8 to 8.2. So should I just accept that or try to adjust it?

 

[Texas Splash]

I would recommend taking your water sample then adjusting any chemicals if needed. Don't add one chemical then go back and do it again 30-45 minutes later. As for the pH it may be rising quickly due to an elevated TA. Your last TA post in PoolMath showed about 175, so if it's still in that area you can lower it. Use enough muriatic acid to lower the pH from 8.0 down to 7.2. Each time you do that it should help to lower the TA a little. Then repeat that process. It just takes time. But continue that until you get the TA down to about 60-70. That should help keep the pH down better.

As for all of these chemical adjustment, to include your CYA question, should you do it now? It depends. When are you planning to drain and refill and why? High CH? Scale treatment? Something else? If you are changing water soon, then wait. But if you aren't doing it until the fall, treat your water now.

 

[lastevns]

I would recommend taking your water sample then adjusting any chemicals if needed. Don't add one chemical then go back and do it again 30-45 minutes later. As for the pH it may be rising quickly due to an elevated TA. Your last TA post in PoolMath showed about 175, so if it's still in that area you can lower it. Use enough muriatic acid to lower the pH from 8.0 down to 7.2. Each time you do that it should help to lower the TA a little. Then repeat that process. It just takes time. But continue that until you get the TA down to about 60-70. That should help keep the pH down better.

Yeah, the TA is high and has been since the initial fill of water. No idea why except that Riverside (or big parts of it) use underground aquifers. We have super hard water. I planned to address the TA issue after the drain and refill. Do you think there is a magic number I should chase in terms of pH? I read that water has its own preferred level. But mine -- which seems to be 7.8 to 8.2 seems to remain high.

As for all of these chemical adjustment, to include your CYA question, should you do it now? It depends. When are you planning to drain and refill and why? High CH? Scale treatment? Something else?

I purchased the wrong pavers and then placed them above ground level. I HAVE to drain, place correct pavers flush with the ground and then refill. I have held off doing it because the pool is just so nice to have in the heat and while one corner (where pavers cracked) is lower, it hasn't shown any signs of continuing to lower beyond the initial cracks and settlement. I would say that corner is about an inch off from the rest. Anyway, I planned to deal with the TA on refill. And it sounds as though that may address my pH issue as well. Although, I can say that I've never experienced burning eyes in the pool. So, it's been comfortable so far.

If you are changing water soon, then wait. But if you aren't doing it until the fall, treat your water now.

 

[mknauss]

No idea why except that Riverside (or big parts of it) use underground aquifers. We have super hard water.

You have Colorado River water. The TA is 130 ppm and CH 250 ppm.

 

[lastevns]

You have Colorado River water. The TA is 130 ppm and CH 250 ppm.

Well when I was a reporter, here, covering the water board, I learned some areas have underground aquifers (I covered this because they could potentially be poisoned by GE - a company that hoped to bring a plant here to clean parts from nuclear plants). But, at that time it was the dairies and other keepers of livestock in the area that were increasing the salts, estrogens, ammonias and other nasties into the water supply. I don't know if my area is served by an underground supply or somewhat-stolen water from the Colorado River. I guess I should find out. BUT, your numbers ring pretty true to what I am finding in my testing. My TA and CH are very high. I assume the same will happen when I refill. Then it's question of whether I need to bother adjusting these numbers.

 

[Texas Splash]

Then it's question of whether I need to bother adjusting these numbers.

Not much you can do about the CH unless you try to capture some summer monsoon storm rain. As for the TA, you can slowly lower it using the link below.

Lower Total Alkalinity

A lower Total Alkalinity level can help a pool owner stabalize their pH increase. We'll explain how to lower TA with a little help from muriatic acid.

www.troublefreepool.com