Best way to test PH and increase PH

Jump to latest Follow Reply
G

g3lo

Well-known member
May 29, 2015
268
Toronto
Pool Size
23000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Hi,

Is soda ash still the best way to increase PH?

Also, what is the best way to test PH to get the numbers accurate to 1 decimal place? I find looking at the color of Taylor kits it’s subjective and approximate. I can’t 100% say it’s 7.2 or 7.4.

Current chemistry:
- Water looks clear and sparkly
- PH is about 7.0 - 7.2
- CYA = 50
- Chlorine = 6 (targeting 6 ppm and ensuring doesn’t go below 4 ppm)
- TA = 50
- CH = 100
- Vinyl Pool
- Temperature of water about 20 degrees Celsius

Thank you
 
Why do you care about pH accurate to one decimal place? Any pH in the 7s is good for a pool.

Safest way to raise ph is by aeration.
 
For testing: practice.

I hold the block at arm's length with a white background in the distance and squint so it gets all blurry. I can usually tell if it's closer to one number than the other, which will put it to one decimal place.

For raising pH, borax or soda ash will work. As a general rule, borax messes less with TA while raising pH than soda ash. You're making such a small change that it won't matter much either way. But don't pay big money for soda ash. Hit the laundry aisle for washing soda. Same stuff, lower price.
 
Baking Soda = big TA change, small pH change
Borax = Big pH change, small TA change
Washing Soda = big pH change, big TA change.
 
  • Like
Reactions: clarity1000
Also, based on poolmath from this forum it shows 1KG of Borax will raise pH by 0.2 while raise TA by 2.6
 
g3lo said:
Also, based on poolmath from this forum it shows 1KG of Borax will raise pH by 0.2 while raise TA by 2.6
Click to expand...

That changes pH by 20% of its range while changing TA by less then 5%.

What is your point?
 
No point after comparing the alternatives.

What’s the best way to apply it? Just toss it in the pool?
 
Toss it in and brush it around if any settles to the bottom.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Try it with 4 drops of reagent. It should lower the intensity of the color. I think you are at 7.5, but post a picture of it with 4 drops used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply