Okay, it's our first opening of our pool and really first go at balancing since we pretty much closed it up after finishing install at end of season last year. Based on pool store calc our TA is at 180 and ph is 7.8. So, if I understand everything correctly we need to add muratic acid to lower the TA while not letting ph drop below 7.2, is that correct? Also, our chlorine level is at 0.5. Should I get TA lowered before I raise that level or do them at the same time? Help please?
High TA help
- Thread starter Angel200837
- Start date
It's actually a multi step process that will need to be repeated until the TA is where you want it.
Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity
Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity
Thank you, that link was very helpful. Just one question, should I attempt to raise chlorine level at same time or wait until it's balanced?
I wouldn't do anything based on pool store results.
Since you're just opening, low chlorine is a pretty safe bet, so add that to the appropriate level for your CYA. But even that CYA reading is suspect if the pool store tested it. Note: if you see "99" listed as the value, it means 100+.
Do you have your own test kit? That's key to getting the water balanced as quickly and cheaply as possible. I've seen countless threads here over the years where the pool store says X is low, and the poster adds X and next week it is too high, or they didn't add anything and next week X is higher than the week before. It's an endless merry-go-round and ultimately, you pay for it.
Since you're just opening, low chlorine is a pretty safe bet, so add that to the appropriate level for your CYA. But even that CYA reading is suspect if the pool store tested it. Note: if you see "99" listed as the value, it means 100+.
Do you have your own test kit? That's key to getting the water balanced as quickly and cheaply as possible. I've seen countless threads here over the years where the pool store says X is low, and the poster adds X and next week it is too high, or they didn't add anything and next week X is higher than the week before. It's an endless merry-go-round and ultimately, you pay for it.
I was starting to feel like we were on that merry-go-round last week. Add decreaser, add increaser, repeat. What?? So I had sample retested at a different shop and vowed to buy my own kit today. Thank you, I am definitely taking that piece of advice and researching test kits as we speak.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,797
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Thanks Richard! I missed that it was a pool $tore test......
This is the kit you want - TF-100 Tftestkits.net
Okay, I think we are finally about there. TA is down to 160, Ph is at 7.6, and chl is at 2. Water is crystal clear ��. Now I have a new problem. These very tiny, almost like skin cells laying on top of water. You can barely see them until they catch the sun, but they are all over the surface of the water. What are these and how do I get rid of them? Have I mentioned how much I love this forum? It has been a life saver.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,797
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Floating particles huh? Hard to tell. Could be a few things. Were you ever able to get one of the recommended test kits to post a full set of test results? That might help us.
Sorry Texas, it has been a crazy week. No, I have not had the chance to get the kit yet. I know I need to make this a priority ASAP. In the meantime I have been using a combo of pool store analysis with cheap home test to compare results. Here are current results: ph 7.8, fc 3, ta 120, cya 50. Like I said, pool water is clear (except for the stupid worms I have to vacuum daily with all this rain) and you can barely see these clear flake things all over the surface.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,797
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
If we were to accept those numbers as accurate, I would recommend increasing your FC to about 5 based on your CYA of 50. Never let the FC drop below 4. Did you happen to get a CH test? It normally doesn't apply to vinyl pools, but in your case with floating particles it may not be a bad idea. Other than that ...........
TH was tested (287) but not specifically CH. I guess based on what I have read here we can estimate CH at 189.
Could the clear flake things on the surface of the water simply be tree or grass pollen?
Could it be that simple? I would have thought my filter would clear this up, but no such luck. I ordered a sock for the skimmer, I will let you know if the problem keeps up.