Alkalinity at 278

[bennn]

I have a 40k gallon saltwater vinyl liner pool. According to my water guru, my alkalinity in at 278 (which I know is high). However my ph has been perfect at 7.5. My chlorine is good around 2.4-3 (i did have to jump my swg up 40% to keep up lately, wondering if this is why)… does the alkalinity matter if the ph and chlorine remain good levels?? Should i leave it if my ph stays within range which it has?

I have used ph decreaser, ( an entire bag) and hasn't touched the alkalinity, just lowered ph to 7.2 , as I immediately aerated directly after. Just wondering if i am iver thinking the high alkalinity if everyting else remains good?

Thanks

 

[Lake Placid]

Results from the water guru are questionable at best. It would be best if you can provide accurate data from a recommended test kit. Your alkalinity will fall over time through managing ph. Drop it to low 7’s with muriatic each time it increases up in the 8’s. What is your fill water alkalinity? As far as your need to increase your SWG output, what’s your tested CYA level? Are you noticing any calcium flakes in the pool or scaling in the cell itself?

 

[bennn]

Thanks. I didn't know how accurate the WaterGuru is. I do test with strips but those are harder to get precise (shows alkalinity high as well) and I also use the Taylor test with the drops for Chlorine and PH level (which are perfect according to that). What other tester should I be using? I am open to the most accurate easy tester I can get, trust me.

I had water brought in last year from a tanker from the PB when pool was built. I don't know the TA. It was crystal clear and I honestly have had to do zero since then, almost. Opened pool this year (2 months ago) and was clean and clear (Auto cover) and levels just about good. It got really hot here in Michigan one weekend and had a few people swimming. Water clouded, we shocked and it cleared, but as mentioned, alkalinity now reading off the charts but the PH and FC seem just fine. Anytime they move is when i am using decreaser to try and bring down the alkalinity.

CYA good levels.
No scaling or anything other than VERY slightly cloudy and having to up the output by 40% more to keep chlorine levels in range or it falls.

Any and all feedback is welcomed.

thanks

 

[bennn]

**Also the SWG was cleaned just a month or so ago at opening**

 

[mknauss]

What other tester should I be using?

,You need a proper test kit. I suggest the TF-100/Pro or Taylor K2006C. A proper test kit is needed to get the accurate water chemistry results needed to follow the TFP protocols.

 

[Bperry]

Thanks. I didn't know how accurate the WaterGuru is. I do test with strips but those are harder to get precise (shows alkalinity high as well)

the strips and the water guru arent much different in accuracy and reliability. The two recommended kits are listed above.

 

[bennn]

,You need a proper test kit. I suggest the TF-100/Pro or Taylor K2006C. A proper test kit is needed to get the accurate water chemistry results needed to follow the TFP protocols.

Thanks I just purchased the Taylor k2006c you recommended. Should I ignore the Water Guru?

 

[mknauss]

Thanks I just purchased the Taylor k2006c you recommended. Should I ignore the Water Guru?

Great.
The water guru is a neat gadget. It can give you data on TC and pH that should be close to accurate if within range. But you should back up that data with real Taylor testing.

 

[PoolStored]

**Also the SWG was cleaned just a month or so ago at opening**

How are you cleaning your SWG? Cleaning with muriatic acid will shorten the life of the cell.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[bennn]

Great.
The water guru is a neat gadget. It can give you data on TC and pH that should be close to accurate if within range. But you should back up that data with real Taylor testing.

Fair. Thank you.

 

[Lake Placid]

Water clouded, we shocked and it cleared, but as mentioned, alkalinity now reading off the charts but the PH and FC seem just fine.

Hard to know without good data, but I would suggest you are on the verge of an algae bloom, which is why the water clouded and you needed to increase your SWG production. Organics are likely eating up your FC in addition to UV.

 

[bennn]

I appreciate the input, but should I even worry about

How are you cleaning your SWG? Cleaning with muriatic acid will shorten the life of the cell.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I had the pool company clean it. What should I be using to clean the SWG?

 

[bennn]

I appreciate all of the input. However, should I even care that my alkalinity is so high if my chlorine and PH are staying within acceptable levels? Seems like the only time I messed things up on those numbers is when I tried to lower the alkalinity.

Just seems like my chlorine now had to be bumped up on my swg to stay within range and i am wondering would high alkalinity levels create that need? My pool builder sounded like I didn't need a muriatic acid but just an "alkalinity reducer" ..which I used (almost tan entire bag of) PH / Alkalinity reducer and seemed to only lower the ph slightly. TA went up actually...just kind of need solid advice on whats (if anything I should be doing.

Thanks again.