I was using the app to track my water balance. Had alkalinity at 80 and ph about 7.6. Just got done with an install and all was fine until I realized the pool company sent out their maintenance guy for free servicing as advertisement to sign up for their monthly service. Guy measured the same as me and added sodium bicarbonate. He noted 6 pounds for 19000 gallon pool. After 6 hours of circulation, I measured alkalinity at 130 and ph at 7.8. Don’t know if it needs to turnover more for that to come down, but is there an immediate need to bring the alkalinity down to where I had it? Pool is pebble tech plaster finish.
Pool guy adjusted my alkalinity levels
- Thread starter oujens
- Start date
- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,724
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Well, thats annoying. I dont see an immediate need to adjust the alkalinity, but your pH will certainly rise faster than previously. Make sure you have acid on hand and test the pH often to knock it down to 7.2 when it approaches 8.0.
I asked and I guess the response is they were managing to “adjusted alkalinity”. From what I read here it’s not imperative to do so. I guess I’m annoyed for the last two weeks I was told it’s my responsibility and had to adjust alkalinity up from 30ppm and bring pH down from 8.2. Just seems strange now they show up with a free month service and just start tossing stuff in the pool without my approval. I did not contract with them to do so. Live and learn I guess.
So the industry likes a high range TA (120) because of heavy tab use. It helps keep the PH up with all the acid (CYA) added from the pucks. They don't change their levels based upon chlorinating style even though they should.
But they kinda did you a favor. Your new plaster will have a healthy Muriatic Acid appetite for the first year or so and starting with an elevated TA will delay the inevitable raising of a low TA. It'll come down on its own soon enough as you manage the PH.
If you keep the PH in the high 7s, it'll take longer to come down, also delaying the inevitable raising of the TA. If you maintain a lower 7 PH, the TA will come down quicker but there's no rush here.
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
Here at TFP, we are about knowing how things are going to go down as much as we are being 'spot on' today. Sometimes being a little off is better in the long run.
But they kinda did you a favor. Your new plaster will have a healthy Muriatic Acid appetite for the first year or so and starting with an elevated TA will delay the inevitable raising of a low TA. It'll come down on its own soon enough as you manage the PH.
If you keep the PH in the high 7s, it'll take longer to come down, also delaying the inevitable raising of the TA. If you maintain a lower 7 PH, the TA will come down quicker but there's no rush here.
PH - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
PH TA Relationship - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Here at TFP, we are about knowing how things are going to go down as much as we are being 'spot on' today. Sometimes being a little off is better in the long run.
Random people showing up at random times in my backyard during pool construction convinced me I wanted no part of ongoing “pool maintenance”. Lack of control was second. Cost was a distant third.
thanks for the responses! I had requested they cancel my service. Well lo and behold one week later technician shows up and claims he measured alkalinity at 90ppm and pH at 8.0. Added 3lb sodium bicarbonate to my 19000 gallon pool. I had a local pool store confirm my measurement of 130ppm over the weekend. I also had “pool school” to learn my equipment. The guy (who works for pool builder) demonstrated using a test strip how to measure my chemicals (though he praised me for using a legit test kit) and he commented my alkalinity seemed high. Now I measure the alkalinity at somewhere between 140-150ppm (solution turns fully pink at 15 drops).
I guess I’ll start the process of hitting with some acid since my pH is high. “Free” service turned into a cost. Gotta love it. Live and learn!
I’ll try to manage it down to a reasonable level and give me a little buffer with new plaster.
Thanks!
I guess I’ll start the process of hitting with some acid since my pH is high. “Free” service turned into a cost. Gotta love it. Live and learn!
I’ll try to manage it down to a reasonable level and give me a little buffer with new plaster.
Thanks!