pH raises constantly

[southflorida427]

Hi,
Since I've been testing daily with the Taylor K-2006 I've notice my pH constantly raising.
Today it sits at 7.7.
No more than 3 days ago it was at 7.8 and I added 12oz of muriatic acid to bring it around 7.4.
Is this normal?
Thnx

 

[Richard320]

Can be.

If your refill water is high in TA it will be a neverending battle. If you have a spa or a slide or a waterfall, the aeration also drives pH up.

Try targeting 7.2 pH. It'll buy you an extra day or two and will speed up the natural lowering of TA. Since I got my TA down to 60, my pH stays a lot steadier.

 

[southflorida427]

I tested my tap water pH a couple of days ago and it took 4 drops of acid demand to get it in the 7.4 range. I did not test TA though.

For today's occurrence no refill was done as it rained enough to compensate evaporation loss. Can rain rise pH? Can it aerate the water?

I have no spa, water feature or anything that would aerate the water

Thnx

 

[jblizzle]

Alternatively, I am concerned your water might be corrosive to your plaster since your CH is so low. As such, you might want to see if your pH stabilizes around 7.8 which would be safer.

Oh and yes reason can raise the pH as it does aerate.

 

[southflorida427]

Alternatively, I am concerned your water might be corrosive to your plaster since your CH is so low. As such, you might want to see if your pH stabilizes around 7.8 which would be safer.

Oh and yes reason can raise the pH as it does aerate.

I did a 65% drain/refill 4 weeks ago to lower my CYA. After the first test I noticed CH being low but wanted to SLAM and clear the water before taking care of it. I was planning on doing CH this weekend.

I do get a little chorine smell which from reading other post shouldn't be the case if pH and TA are within range.

Should I take care of CH now or wait to see if pH stabilizes at 7.8?

Thnx

 

[jblizzle]

In FL I would bump up the CH since the rain is going to continually lower it. Also see if the pH stabilizes around 7.8, no worry there.

The pH and TA have nothing to do with a chlorine smell. High CC is usually the reason for any smell.

 

[southflorida427]

Best place to buy calcium chloride? Hardware store? Pool store?

 

[pooldv]

More about calcium chloride alternatives and what they're called here, Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

 

[Richard320]

Best place to buy calcium chloride? Hardware store? Pool store?

Since snowmelt is probably unknown in Florida except in the memories of transplanted retirees... start in the pool section at Walmart or a chain hardware store. Pool store should have it, but probably at hugely inflated prices.

 

[southflorida427]

No calcium chlorida in hardware stores or walmart around here.

Pool store bag says "100% calcium chloride compound"... the "compound" part made me doubt. Is this OK?

 

[pooldv]

Yes, it's fine. Otherwise you'll have to order some de-icers from somewhere north.

 

[Sentinal69]

Liquid Chlorine will raise your PH dramatically. PH of LC is 13 I believe.

 

[jblizzle]

Liquid Chlorine will raise your PH dramatically. PH of LC is 13 I believe.

Not exactly. When the FC is consumed, the bleach effectively becomes pH neutral.

 

[Sentinal69]

Not exactly. When the FC is consumed, the bleach effectively becomes pH neutral.

So if I dump a gallon of LC in my pool, my PH will not rise ?

 

[jblizzle]

1 gallon would not be noticeable

One reason we recommend lowering the pH prior to starting the slam process is that when you add a lot of bleach it can have a small impact on the ph and make it go up. But as that FC is consumed the pH will come back down.

 

[southflorida427]

Following up on this post.
Today I tested pH again and it's between 7.8 and 8.
Last time I added muriatic acid was 9 days ago. There has been some heavy rain the past two days.
I will correct pH Saturday.

 

[southflorida427]

pH keeps raising constantly. Finding myself adjusting every weekend (usually from around 8 down to 7.2)
Anything I should do? Or just get used to it?
Thank you all for your help.

 

[pooldv]

As your TA lowers from the acid additions your pH rise will slow down. If you are running any waterfalls, bubblers, etc those will also raise ph.

 

[southflorida427]

As your TA lowers from the acid additions your pH rise will slow down. If you are running any waterfalls, bubblers, etc those will also raise ph.

Hi, thnx for your reply.
No water features.
TA is around 70. Will check again tomorrow. Should I let it go under 70?

 

[pooldv]

Yes, TA as low as 50 is generally ok as long as the pH isn't erratic.