T/A is way too high

[ualpow]

I opened my 15x30x54" pool last week. The water was clear and I let the pump run for 24hrs. Then I used my new TF-100 and here are the readings.
On 5/4/09
FC-2
CC-0
TC-2
pH-7.8
T/A-310
CH-260
CYA-30

I added 2 Gal of bleach to shock it, FC 12ppm
On 5/5/09
FC-5.5
CC-0
TC-5.5
pH-7.8
T/A-290
CYA-30

On 5/6/09
FC-7.5
CC-0
TC-7.5
pH-7.8
T/A-350!! I tested this 3 times to make sure.
CYA-30

I added 1lb Sodium Bisulfate and will check again in the morning. How can my T/A get so high? What would you recommend I do?
I also have 2 trichlor pucks in the inline feeder set to lowest setting. When the CYA starts getting high can I switch to bleach?

 

[JohnT]

I'd recommend you read the Pool School article on lowering TA at pool-school/lowering%20total%20alkalinity

The biggest problem it will cause you is constantly rising pH.

You can use pucks until your CYA gets where you want it, but it builds up quickly.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Do you notice the drops coming from the tips of the TA dropper bottle - are they irregular or different in any way from the other dropper bottles in the kit? Try wiping the tip with a damp cloth between drops - there was an issue of static electricity with the TA test bottles and this may help give more accurate results.

 

[JasonLion]

Try testing the TA level of your fill water. Very high TA usually comes from fill water with a high TA.

 

[ualpow]

I will check the bottles and test my tap water today. Looks like I'll have to order more R0009.

 

[duraleigh]

ualpow,

I believe your issue is static electricity. I've had two other reports the past few days.

If that's the problem, the R-009 reagent sort of shoots off the dropper tip and the drops are noticeably smaller, even though the dropper tips are identical throughout the kit.

The solution is to wipe the dropper tip in between each drop (or every 2-3 drops) with a damp cloth or damp paper towel. This always seems to work.

The issue is documented in Taylor's website but I'll be darned if I can figure out why it happens.

 

[taekwondodo]

I believe your issue is static electricity. I've had two other reports the past few days.

I haven't had any issues since I called you last Saturday. Since pulling the dropper off the tip of the bottle, blowing through it real hard, and wiping it of, the test seems to be working great.

Thanks for helping, you really went "above-and-beyond" for someone who spent $~75

- Jeff

 

[ualpow]

I tested my tap water and for kicks my RO water.
The tap water is 350 T/A and the RO is 40 T/A.
Now to try the fixes recommended here.

 

[taekwondodo]

I tested my tap water and for kicks my RO water.
The tap water is 350 T/A and the RO is 40 T/A.
Now to try the fixes recommended here.

I'm a die-hard FW and SW Aquarium guy and use a LOT of RO water for my tanks. If you have a T/A of 40 out of your RO, it is time for a new R/O membrane.

It should be (theoretically) be less than 1.0.

Just a helpful aside.

- Jeff

 

[ualpow]

There was something in the tip of the bottle of the R-0009. I cleaned it out and wipe the tip between drops. The drops are noticeably bigger and my reading are still high but closer to normal. I am working it down with acid and then I will aerate to bring PH back inline. Thanks for the help. Can I buy R-0009 refills? Never mind I see refills on the site.

 

[plaiming]

I have been reading high TA (180-200)as well - and had even noticed that the drops on the R009 reagent seemed smalled than drops from the other bottles. I did not know if this is supposed to be like that or not. Is there a way to measure/weigh some number of drops to see if the reagent bottle tip is working properly?

I tested my tap water twice, and it was reading just at about 130/140.

 

[PaulR]

You could just try doing the wipe-with-a-damp-cloth trick and see if it changes your readings; if it does, then you have the problem.
--paulr

 

[plaiming]

I have been running tests on tap water to see how much consitency I get. I was reading 130/140, but when I wiped the tip i go 90. After reading some more, I think I have not been testing properly. I was not holding the droppers completely vertical.