Hi guys, a friend of mine (also co-worker) turned me on to you guys, as he's learned tons from ya'll already on this site.
My parents bought a new house, and guess what, it has a pool (bet you haven't heard this before, right?).
Anyways, my mom will use the pool, and that's it. Never expected anything else, but my dad wants to learn. Since I'm the research nut, and I always loved chemistry, I am going to try to help him. He already had a pool company come out for a few things, but he's wanting to take it over, and since he's legally blind (not completely, just mostly), perusing forums isn't his thing. Also, with his vision issue, seeing the difference between orange, orange-red, and red is impossible, so that's where I come in.
The pool is a 25000 gallon pool built by a reputable place in Houston, TX. It's plaster, with a spa and waterfall (from what I understand from reading here, that means decent aeration).
I picked up a Taylor K-2006 per the recommendation of my friend on here, and tested my pH, and my TA.
I will be doing CYA next, and will post results.
Strangely, and this is why I'm getting on here, the pH is below 7.0, and TA is about 160. Outdoor pool, 12 hour cycles from 8AM to 8PM. Per the awesome pool calculator and a few suggestions from people, I have added over the past 2 days 7 boxes of 20 Mule team 4lb Borax to try to raise my pH. It's getting better, but it's still probably 6.8 or so.
Also, about TA. I double checked it, and then checked my tap water, which was 160 also. That doesn't surprise me, the water in this city if awful.
[EDITED] Will test CYA next to see if I have to explore options related to it, but currently just adding Borax to raise pH. One thing at a time.
I have not added anything else, no Muriatic for sure, because even with my higher TA, my pH is still strangely low, and I read it's best to just address pH first.
Thanks for having me, hope to find a way to contribute.
-Lee
My parents bought a new house, and guess what, it has a pool (bet you haven't heard this before, right?).
Anyways, my mom will use the pool, and that's it. Never expected anything else, but my dad wants to learn. Since I'm the research nut, and I always loved chemistry, I am going to try to help him. He already had a pool company come out for a few things, but he's wanting to take it over, and since he's legally blind (not completely, just mostly), perusing forums isn't his thing. Also, with his vision issue, seeing the difference between orange, orange-red, and red is impossible, so that's where I come in.
The pool is a 25000 gallon pool built by a reputable place in Houston, TX. It's plaster, with a spa and waterfall (from what I understand from reading here, that means decent aeration).
I picked up a Taylor K-2006 per the recommendation of my friend on here, and tested my pH, and my TA.
I will be doing CYA next, and will post results.
Strangely, and this is why I'm getting on here, the pH is below 7.0, and TA is about 160. Outdoor pool, 12 hour cycles from 8AM to 8PM. Per the awesome pool calculator and a few suggestions from people, I have added over the past 2 days 7 boxes of 20 Mule team 4lb Borax to try to raise my pH. It's getting better, but it's still probably 6.8 or so.
Also, about TA. I double checked it, and then checked my tap water, which was 160 also. That doesn't surprise me, the water in this city if awful.
[EDITED] Will test CYA next to see if I have to explore options related to it, but currently just adding Borax to raise pH. One thing at a time.
I have not added anything else, no Muriatic for sure, because even with my higher TA, my pH is still strangely low, and I read it's best to just address pH first.
Thanks for having me, hope to find a way to contribute.
-Lee