FC - 2.0
CC - Not tested
pH - ?? It is less than 6.8
TA - 120
CH - 100 pool store measured 10 days ago
CYA - 100 pool store measured 10 days ago
Borates - have not used yet
I have been trying to balance my pool for about 10 days now. Just discovered this forum. I don't have the full test kit yet, will get one soon but I want to get opinions on whether I should add borax. I remember reading somewhere that it should be avoided, but it is also one of few ways to raise pH without affecting TA. The other method is aerating. I have constructed an aerator as described in these forums and have been aerating for about 25 hours.
When the pool store tested my TA was 0 and pH was 6.8 (probably a lot lower than that). Well water here is very acidic, I have to add pH up and TA increase regularly. The pool store guy told me to add 33 lbs of Baking Soda. I added 25 lbs (3 lbs at a time over a period of about 4 days) and saw that my TA was almost 100. I don't trust that pool guy, I went and bought some Soda Ash and added about 2 lbs. This did nothing (measurable) to help pH but increased the TA a little more. That's when I googled and found this forum. I started aerating but have not seen an increase in my pH. I added about a lb more of Soda Ash and I am continuing the aeration. I am guessing that the pH is creeping up but I can't measure it.
The water is very clear and feels softer than I can ever remember it being. The baking Soda didn't dissolve real well, I keep having to vacuum it up.
CC - Not tested
pH - ?? It is less than 6.8
TA - 120
CH - 100 pool store measured 10 days ago
CYA - 100 pool store measured 10 days ago
Borates - have not used yet
I have been trying to balance my pool for about 10 days now. Just discovered this forum. I don't have the full test kit yet, will get one soon but I want to get opinions on whether I should add borax. I remember reading somewhere that it should be avoided, but it is also one of few ways to raise pH without affecting TA. The other method is aerating. I have constructed an aerator as described in these forums and have been aerating for about 25 hours.
When the pool store tested my TA was 0 and pH was 6.8 (probably a lot lower than that). Well water here is very acidic, I have to add pH up and TA increase regularly. The pool store guy told me to add 33 lbs of Baking Soda. I added 25 lbs (3 lbs at a time over a period of about 4 days) and saw that my TA was almost 100. I don't trust that pool guy, I went and bought some Soda Ash and added about 2 lbs. This did nothing (measurable) to help pH but increased the TA a little more. That's when I googled and found this forum. I started aerating but have not seen an increase in my pH. I added about a lb more of Soda Ash and I am continuing the aeration. I am guessing that the pH is creeping up but I can't measure it.
The water is very clear and feels softer than I can ever remember it being. The baking Soda didn't dissolve real well, I keep having to vacuum it up.