TA vs pH

[Stargate_to_earth]

I keep hearing people talk about their pH rising and then blaming it on the level their TA is at...

My pH is low at the moment, my TA is also quite low.

Can I just add Baking Soda to my pool (per poolmath) and wait for pH to rise over time, or is that just not how that works...

If so, is there some equilibrium PPM of TA that will yield homeostasis at ~7.4

 

[Tjohnson722]

I have noticed a correlation in TA and PH. At least in my pool. Usually if I add baking soda to raise PH, my alkalinity goes up also. I believe (and if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me) that alkalinity is a buffer for ph.

 

[jblizzle]

I have noticed a correlation in TA and PH. At least in my pool. Usually if I add baking soda to raise PH, my alkalinity goes up also. I believe (and if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me) that alkalinity is a buffer for ph.

Baking soda is used to raise ta not pH. But the fact that your ta goes up pulls the ph up also.

 

[jblizzle]

I keep hearing people talk about their pH rising and then blaming it on the level their TA is at...

My pH is low at the moment, my TA is also quite low.

Can I just add Baking Soda to my pool (per poolmath) and wait for pH to rise over time, or is that just not how that works...

If so, is there some equilibrium PPM of TA that will yield homeostasis at ~7.4

Yes if you add baking soda to raise the TA generally the pH will come up as well

 

[Stargate_to_earth]

So if I add baking soda to raise TA over time I can expect my pH to come up?

Main issue with low pH is eye pain right? pH is around 6.8 and it's not a big deal to me or my wife on the eye front (our well water is a bit lower than even that). I figure I'll add baking soda to get TA in range (it's at 30ppm) and wait awhile to see what pH does...

 

[AimeeH]

Keep your PH in range for reasons beyond eye comfort.

Don't chase a target TA number if your PH stays in line. TA is a measure of the ability to buffer PH changes in a nutshell.

 

[Stargate_to_earth]

What are the other reasons? AGP vinyl liner.

 

[mknauss]

Low pH can cause vinyl to become brittle, corrode metal items, etc.

 

[Stargate_to_earth]

Ok, so I should add to get TA up to low mid in band, then wait a day and test, then add for pH to 7.2, allowing for up creep?

 

[mknauss]

Add baking soda to get TA to 60 or so. Then test pH a couple days later. Aeration will raise pH.

Are you testing with what you show in your signature? Highly recommend getting a proper test kit.

Take care.

 

[Stargate_to_earth]

I've got fast/dpd powder and reagent for cc and fc otw the ta test from hth I've been told is sufficient, it's a titration style

 

[Stargate_to_earth]

Updated Sig with testing equipment

 

[splashpad]

Can you post a full set of test results?

(side note: aerating to raise PH will lower TA, "the over simplified version of how it works")

 

[Stargate_to_earth]

This was from last night.

I added Washing soda since the low pH reading.

I feel much much better now that I can test FC and cc accurately

FC 8.5
CC 0.5
pH 7.4
Hardness (hth) never went red so 0?
TA 50
CYA 50

 

[splashpad]

This was from last night.

I added Washing soda since the low pH reading.

7.4 isn't low I don't think (it's mid-range & "fits" your TA value)

No need for CH/calcium since it's a vinyl liner

 

[Stargate_to_earth]

It was <= 6.8 when i made the initial post did a washing soda add to get it where it's at now, which also took TA up to level.

 

[splashpad]

It was <= 6.8 when i made the initial post did a washing soda add to get it where it's at now, which also took TA up to level.

Ah ha, perfect =)

 

[mariane]

As I understand it, and from experience, low pH will cause vinyl liner to wrinkle as well as become brittle.

 

[splashpad]

As I understand it, and from experience, low pH will cause vinyl liner to wrinkle as well as become brittle.

Yes low PH is bad for vinyl (or any pool, but it's the one thing that vinyl doesn't "like")

 

[Stargate_to_earth]

So does that mean I should maintain it high in range?