Alkalinity in range, but PH rises above 8.2 daily

[kevinmw1]

Hi,

I have been testing daily for the past 2 weeks trying to get my PH in range. My alkalinity daily reads between 70-90 each day but PH is easily above 8.2 I add PH decrease to get it down in range, then the next day it is high again.

Do I just need to drain and fill? or keep working at it, maybe PH is much higher than I think? Since my TA is on the lower end, should I add some before or after PH decreaser knowing my TA probably needs a slight tweak but also knowing TA increaser raises PH.

TH: ~250
TA 70-90
PH > 8.2

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
How are you testing your pool water chemistry?
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[kevinmw1]

Welcome to the forum!
How are you testing your pool water chemistry?
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

I am using US pool Supply 5 way test kit. No test strips

 

[mknauss]

OK -- pH should be accurate if TC is under 5 ppm.
You really need a proper test kit. Test Kits Compared

Lower your pH to 7.6 each time it reaches 8. Your TA should come down over time and lessen the pH rise.
What is your fill water TA? How much fill water do you add each day?

 

[kevinmw1]

OK -- pH should be accurate if TC is under 5 ppm.
You really need a proper test kit. Test Kits Compared

Lower your pH to 7.6 each time it reaches 8. Your TA should come down over time and lessen the pH rise.
What is your fill water TA? How much fill water do you add each day?

Thanks for the test kit suggestion.

I do not fill everyday. I will check the TA of fill water. TC is under 5.

 

[kevinmw1]

OK -- pH should be accurate if TC is under 5 ppm.
You really need a proper test kit. Test Kits Compared

Lower your pH to 7.6 each time it reaches 8. Your TA should come down over time and lessen the pH rise.
What is your fill water TA? How much fill water do you add each day?

Are you suggesting a lower TA? Most chemical bottles and hot tub manuals recommend 80 at minimum

 

[mknauss]

TA can easily go as low as 50 ppm if you are chlorinating with liquid chlorine. If you are using trichlor, you need to have a higher TA to counteract the acidity of that product.

Recommended Levels

 

[kevinmw1]

TA can easily go as low as 50 ppm if you are chlorinating with liquid chlorine. If you are using trichlor, you need to have a higher TA to counteract the acidity of that product.

Recommended Levels

I am not using liquid chlorine, just granules.

 

[kevinmw1]

TA can easily go as low as 50 ppm if you are chlorinating with liquid chlorine. If you are using trichlor, you need to have a higher TA to counteract the acidity of that product.

Recommended Levels

Also thank you for all the replies!

 

[mknauss]

I am not using liquid chlorine, just granules.

What are the granules?
If Cal Hypo, those are pushing your pH higher.

 

[kevinmw1]

What are the granules?
If Cal Hypo, those are pushing your pH higher.

It is not cal hypo it is sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione dihydrate

 

[mknauss]

Oh boy. You do not want to use that. It is 50% CYA. I suspect your CYA is through the roof.

 

[kevinmw1]

Oh boy. You do not want to use that. It is 50% CYA. I suspect your CYA is through the roof.

The test kit I have so far at least says CYA is in range.

 

[mknauss]

The test kit I have so far at least says CYA is in range.

Right. I doubt it.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Hi all!

I have owned a 390 gal hot tub for about 4 years with my partner Erin. I think of Hot tubs like an investment in the sense that you need to take care of it so I am happy to be apart of a group dedicated to that. I work in Higher Education in Colorado!

Thank you all!

(From a previous post)

Kevin,

You might want to complete your signature with info regarding your hot tub. I know nothing about hot tubs, but I'd imagine chemistry recommendations are different than those for pools.

Your test kit doesn't show a test for CYA.

 

[mknauss]

No idea this was a hot tub. Moving this to the appropriate forum.

 

[kevinmw1]

(From a previous post)

Kevin,

You might want to complete your signature with info regarding your hot tub. I know nothing about hot tubs, but I'd imagine chemistry recommendations are different than those for pools.

Your test kit doesn't show a test for CYA.

I will update that.

I have another test kit for CYA but I am betting is just as poor of a test kit.

 

[JT8Diesel]

I had a fresh fill in a 400 USG tub and followed the sticky from this forum. My pH was > 8.2, I added acid and aerated, repeat a few times.

I ended up with my TA at 50, but my pH is locked in at 7.5. I haven't seen anything else over the last week with daily / twice daily testing.

From my understanding, 50 is on the low end, and one probably doesn't want to go lower. But my numbers seem to be rock solid now, with just liquid chlorine additions as indicated by FC levels.

 

[A.O.]

I run liquid chlorine in mine, TA is right at 50 and PH is pretty stable at the 7.6 mark or so, small adjustments on the PH due to aeration everyday..