Balancing pH and alkalinity

[carolinept]

I need to know the do's and don'ts to regulate my pH and Alkalinity. I am new pool owner....

How to lower and raise pH?
How to lower and raise Alkalinity?

Here is some background:
For the most part, they are balanced, but often the levels will hit a high or low.
I skim and vacuum every 2-3 days. the Pump runs 12-13 hours every day.
The pool is blasted with sun from 7am until 4:30pm everyday. It gets no shade until the late afternoon.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! To your questions:
- Lower pH and TA with muriatic acid
- Typically raise TA with baking soda; but to raise pH and TA washing soda or soda ash can sometimes be used. See the link below for more specifics.

The most important issue to knowing where those levels should be is using a proper test kit - either a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C. Anything else is just a waste of time and resources, so be sure to have one of those kits. Again, the link below has pages of recommended chemicals, how to add, and what levels they should all be at. Also use our PoolMath APP for convenience.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mknauss]