We purchased a home that has a 15,000 gallon, in ground, gunite pool. The pool was badly maintained before we bought the home, and we ended up having to drain it, acid wash, and then re-fill in May. However, since then the water has been sparkling and clear, and I've had no trouble maintaining the PH (around 7.4-7.6) and chlorine (around 2). However, my TA is always high (between 150-190). I have been attempting to lower the TA by adding muratic acid, then aerating (as I have read is the correct way to lower TA without also lowering PH). That does bring down my TA about 10ppm each time I do it, but then it creeps back up in a few days or so.
As I was reading, I noticed that many said that a higher TA reading is not really a concern, especially for vinyl, above ground pools. However, I wondered if the same went for an in-ground, gunite pool, such as mine. I have not noted any of the problems typically associated with higher TA, such as cloudy water or scaling (although, as I'm a new pool owner, I'm not sure I would know scaling if I saw it -- I'm assuming it is a build-up on the sides/bottom of the pool, which we don't have). If it is not a problem to have a constant TA of 150-190, then I really would prefer just to leave it.
The only mechanical parts I have to worry about are the sand filter and pump (no heater).
Any suggestions/comments are welcome! Thanks!
- Jana in New Mexico
As I was reading, I noticed that many said that a higher TA reading is not really a concern, especially for vinyl, above ground pools. However, I wondered if the same went for an in-ground, gunite pool, such as mine. I have not noted any of the problems typically associated with higher TA, such as cloudy water or scaling (although, as I'm a new pool owner, I'm not sure I would know scaling if I saw it -- I'm assuming it is a build-up on the sides/bottom of the pool, which we don't have). If it is not a problem to have a constant TA of 150-190, then I really would prefer just to leave it.
The only mechanical parts I have to worry about are the sand filter and pump (no heater).
Any suggestions/comments are welcome! Thanks!
- Jana in New Mexico