Question about Baking Soda

[zethacat]

In the 2009 NSPF Pool & Spa Operator Handbook it states "Sodium bicarbonate should not be used to raise pH on a regular basis. The correct method is to use sodium bicarbonate to achieve the desired total alkalinity and then if further correction is necessary, use soda ash."

I had never heard that until reading it in this book. It doesn't exactly state why as far as I can tell. Is there any truth to the statement?

EDIT: Never mind -- I misread this and thought it was referring to using baking soda to raise alkalinity, not PH. Please delete.

 

[JamesW]

I would disagree with their statement. I think that targeting a specific TA is counterproductive. I have found that I can completely control pH simply by tuning the TA until the pH locks into the desired range.

 

[JasonLion]

James, what you said and what they said are not-inconsistent. Sure, the emphasis is a little different, but it isn't hard to read their statement your way.

 

[JamesW]

Yes, I can see where it's similar. I was thinking about how some people try to set an arbitrary TA without understanding its effect on pH. I never use pH increaser, but I can see where it could be a good choice in some cases.

 

[zethacat]

My tap water has a TA of 40, so it was necessary for me to bring it up to a more acceptable level for new plaster.