New SW pool - Chasing Chlorine & pH Constantly

[razorbackrn]

Hello, I’m hoping this group may be able to help me solve what seems to be a mystery to me in regards to my chlorine & pH. Our pool has been finished for less than two months, and during that time, I’ve yet to get my water chemistry truly balanced.

I am constantly chasing my chlorine levels and pH. Chlorine is constantly being depleted, and pH is chronically high (at least 8). I will add muriatic acid and liquid chlorine to correct, but within a few days, we’re back to square one. Water *looks* clear, but I know that means nothing.

My pump has been running at 100%, 24/7, at pool builders advice (he says due to high temps, need to have it running constantly). My chlorinator has been running at 50-70%, and I’m “super chlorinating” weekly (eg. running at 100% x24hrs once per week).

Here’s my most recent test results from this morning, using Taylor test kit:
Chlorine (Free/Combined): 0
pH 8 (maybe higher, but that’s as high as the color scale reads)
TA 60
CYA 60
Salt 4800 (recognize that this is way too high - long story there - but pool builder has said not to drain any water right now due to high water table. I have no clue if he is right or wrong, but have followed his direction.)

Why can I not maintain my pH and chlorine? Is the high salt content contributing?

 

[PoolGate]

You need to run a SLAM which will require you to get liquid chlorine during the SLAM period. SWCGs are for maintaining chlorine levels, not so much for quick increases.

SLAM Process

I am still adding a gallon of acid per week in my 8th season and I have the same size pool as you. Use Poolmath for correct amount of acid to add.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.
With a TA of 60, a vinyl liner pool, your pH should not be rising unless you are adding large amounts of high TA fill water due to evaporation. Check your data.

You also have no need to run your pump at 100%. Reduce the rpm until the SWCG indicates no flow. Then add 200 ppm and use that level for your base rpm. Check to be sure it is sufficient to skim the surface.

 

[razorbackrn]

Welcome to the forum.
With a TA of 60, a vinyl liner pool, your pH should not be rising unless you are adding large amounts of high TA fill water due to evaporation. Check your data.

You also have no need to run your pump at 100%. Reduce the rpm until the SWCG indicates no flow. Then add 200 ppm and use that level for your base rpm. Check to be sure it is sufficient to skim the surface.

Thank you for this feedback. Can I clarify a couple of things you stated?

You said “With a TA of 60, a vinyl liner pool, your pH should not be rising unless you are adding large amounts of high TA fill water due to evaporation. Check your data.”

I have been replacing water periodically due to evaporation (although the rain helped this week). Are you suggesting that I test the TA of my water supply?

In re: to “You also have no need to run your pump at 100%. Reduce the rpm until the SWCG indicates no flow. Then add 200 ppm and use that level for your base rpm. Check to be sure it is sufficient to skim the surface.”

I don’t really understand what you’re saying here. Are you meaning to reduce to 0% flow and then increase by 20% until I can tell is it skimming the surface?

 

[mknauss]

Are you suggesting that I test the TA of my water supply?

The only source of alkalinity in your pool (unless you are adding chemicals with alkalinity in them) is your source water. So IF you are adding large amounts (1% of pool volume per day) of fill water, then that is the source of the alkalinity. Test the TA of the fill water.

I don’t really understand what you’re saying here. Are you meaning to reduce to 0% flow and then increase by 20% until I can tell is it skimming the surface?

Reduce the rpm of the pump (you have a VS pump) until your SWCG warns no flow. Should be around 1200 rpm (33%). Then raise the rpm by 100 rpm (3%) until the SWCG flow light is green. Then add 200 rpm to that for continuous operation.

 

[Whynotme]

Will a salt generator even operate at salt ppm that high? I think mine has an upper limit at which it will no longer produce chlorine.

 

[razorbackrn]

Will a salt generator even operate at salt ppm that high? I think mine has an upper limit at which it will no longer produce chlorine.

The upper limit max is 8000 for this cell