Acid demand test confusion

[Rambo hustler]

I just received my Taylor k2006 test and took my first ph reading. It was dark purple which would indicate a reading over 8.0. I then went to perform the acid demand test and after one drop it turned yellow. I was under the impression that it would have to work down through all the other colors to reach yellow. It stayed yellow after 10 drops.

I must be doing something wrong. Any thoughts?

 

[JamesW]

What is the total alkalinity?

 

[Rambo hustler]

What is the total alkalinity?

Just did the test. It only took one drop to change from green to red. So I guess that would indicate a total alkalinity of 10

 

[JamesW]

What are all of the test results?

What type of pool do you have?

 

[Rambo hustler]

13000 gallon above Ground pool
ph- over 8.0
Calcium harness- 50
Total alkalinity- 10
Cya-0? Black dot never disappeared
Free chlorine- 0? Never turned pink on

 

[JamesW]

Ok, I would increase the total alkalinity to about 60 using baking soda and then retest everything.

 

[Rambo hustler]

Will do. Thanks

 

[JamesW]

The baking soda should mix in pretty fast.

You should use about 9.5 lbs.

The baking soda should lower the pH to about 8.3.

At that point, I would do the acid demand and lower the pH to 7.8 if you think that the water contains iron.

If you don't have iron, I wouldn't worry too much about the pH. I would add cyanuric acid and some liquid chlorine.

The cyanuric acid will take a while to dissolve and it should lower the pH to an acceptable level.

Once you get the cyanuric acid fully dissolved, recheck the pH and adjust as needed.

Is this a fresh fill?

Are you going to use tabs, liquid chlorine or SWG for chlorine?

 

[Rambo hustler]

The baking soda should mix in pretty fast.

You should use about 9.5 lbs.

The baking soda should lower the pH to about 8.3.

At that point, I would do the acid demand and lower the pH to 7.8 if you think that the water contains iron.

If you don't have iron, I wouldn't worry too much about the pH. I would add cyanuric acid and some liquid chlorine.

The cyanuric acid will take a while to dissolve and it should lower the pH to an acceptable level.

Once you get the cyanuric acid fully dissolved, recheck the pH and adjust as needed.

Is this a fresh fill?

Are you going to use tabs, liquid chlorine or SWG for chlorine?

It’s basically a swamp right now. Didn’t close it properly last year and just trying to open it now

 

[JamesW]

Ok, I would get the TA up to about 60.

Then, lower the pH to about 7.2 and do a SLAM.

Also, make sure that the water is circulating or your results are not going to be accurate if you're just getting unmixed top water.