Aeration, TA, pH

mikewatson · Jun 9, 2022

I’ve been trying to get my TA down for a week with aeration. I made a DIY fountain attached to a sump pump, (exactly like this picture) but after 5 days, the pH has only risen .2 points. What am I missing? I don’t feel like I should use acid yet…?

FC 2.8
pH 7.4
TA 110
CH 290
CYA 40
Temp 77.1

How long should it take to lower TA using on a 30k gallon plaster pool?

ajw22 · Jun 9, 2022

With a 30K pool you need more aeration then that to raise pH rapidly.

duraleigh · Jun 9, 2022

Yeah, more Aeration.......that a pretty big pool.

As an aside, keep your FC higher, too. about 4-7 and, in Tulsa, I would raise the CYA to 50-60

Rancho Cost-a-Lotta · Jun 9, 2022

Is that a spa to the left of the fountain?? If so, run all return to the spa with suction from the pool. The bubbles and spillover should get the job done.

Rancho Cost-a-Lotta · Jun 9, 2022

Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
Is that a spa to the left of the fountain?? If so, run all return to the spa with suction from the pool. The bubbles and spillover should get the job done.

Disregard...I see now that's not your pool.

Sunnydaze · Jun 9, 2022

Pfft I'd be pretty happy if my pool only went up .2 after 5 days WITH aeration. My ta is 70 and ph goes from 7.6-8 every 3-4 days without any aeration.

tim5055 · Jun 9, 2022

TA is the last thing you need to worry about. High TA is not going to cause your plaster to degrade ot make your water unsafe.

TA makes your pH go up just a little faster. Over a pool season high TA may cost you an extra bottle of acid to bring down the pH.

My opinion, go mix another adult beverage, float in the pool and ignore TA. It's not something to loose sleep over.....

Check you FC & pH every day. Check your TA when you don't have anything else to do......

SoDel · Jun 10, 2022

I agree with tim5055. Balance the water so CSI / LSI (whichever you prefer) stays in the “zone.” If lowering TA is a goal as pool water temps seasonally increase, just maintain your pH over time to stay in the saturation index “zone” (generally -0.3 to +0.3) for your temps and water chemistry. At first that usually means adding acid frequently (which will also lower TA, just a little at a time instead of a big swing). Instead of trying to force pH back up by aerating, let it float back up on its own until saturation index says it’s time to lower pH again. Less work and less pH struggle. Poolmath or similar calculator is your friend

. Enjoy the extra free time.

PoolStored · Jun 10, 2022

Did you build it into a return or on top of a sump pump?

I built that rig too. I can lower my TA 10ppm in 12 hours. Can you post a picture of the rig in action, and post a picture of the caps as you have built them. I too have 30K pool.

The "Trick" is to make A LOT of VERY SMALL bubbles. Post pics and I'll help get you there.

mikewatson · Jun 11, 2022

Here’s my current sprinkler setup. Just hooked to a sump pump.

PoolStored · Jun 11, 2022

Drill more holes. Those look like 1/4" or 3/8." If 1/4 that is fine go down to 3/16". If 3/8" drill the rest 1/4" or 3/16".

How big is the sump. Can you show a picture. Do you know how many GPH? If you can get one over 3K up to 4K it really helps.

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Aeration, TA, pH

mikewatson

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ajw22

duraleigh

Rancho Cost-a-Lotta

Rancho Cost-a-Lotta

Sunnydaze

tim5055

SoDel

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PoolStored

mikewatson

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