Borax added to raise Ph and now Ph test nutty

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L

lews

LifeTime Supporter
Mar 24, 2010
106
Chapel Hill, NC
two days ago, I’m just opening the pool and found my pH low (using a Taylor big kit):
FC:6
PH:7.0
TA 65
CH 250
CYA 75.

Pool Math app suggested 9 pounds of 20 mule team borax. I put in 4 pounds, even though I don’t have borax in my pool. I happen to have an unopened box, so I used it. I have a salt, water, pool and plaster.

Two days later, today:
FC: 1.5
PH: unknown. It looks to be way off the scale, above 8.0. Super dark pink.
TA 65
CH 250
CYA 75.

I tried to find something on the forums that would explain, but I couldn’t. Should I use muriatic acid to bring it down?

Thanks for the help.
 
lews said:
Should I use muriatic acid to bring it down?
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yes. Target 7.6 from current of 8. Add acid, circulate pool for 30 minutes, test pH, repeat.

Your pH was in the 7's. Your TA was above 50. There was no reason to chemically adjust either.

Your FC is low enough that algae has been invited to the party. Do not do that often.
 
mknauss said:
yes. Target 7.6 from current of 8. Add acid, circulate pool for 30 minutes, test pH, repeat.

Your pH was in the 7's. Your TA was above 50. There was no reason to chemically adjust either.

Your FC is low enough that algae has been invited to the party. Do not do that often.
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OK, but it is a little disturbing that Pool Math app said to put in twice the amount of borax that I put in and it seems to be way too much. I need to be able to trust it. And, yes, I know about the low FC. THE WATER IS COLD, AND IT’S TRICKY TO GET THE SALT WATER GENERATORS TO GET THE RIGHT OUTPUT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.
 
lews said:
OK, but it is a little disturbing that Pool Math app said to put in twice the amount of borax that I put in and it seems to be way too much. I need to be able to trust it. And, yes, I know about the low FC. THE WATER IS COLD, AND IT’S TRICKY TO GET THE SALT WATER GENERATORS TO GET THE RIGHT OUTPUT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.
Click to expand...
I don’t have any idea why the last part of my reply is in all caps. Sorry, it was a mistake.
 
Poolmath just does what you tell it. Yes, it will populate the Target with a mid range number from the Recommended Levels, but you need to use your knowledge to know what is needed and what is not.

Adjusting pH and TA is something that you do chemically in very small steps. It many times has far more effect than you expect. The calculations used are not very accurate when you are outside of the normal ranges (pH 7.2-7.8)
 
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