Best way to increase Alkalinity and PH?

[Deadaim]

Hi there,

I discovered that my Alkalinity and PH were really low and wanted best course of action in order to raise both. Here are results as of yesterday:

FC:12
CC:0
CYA: 70
PH: 6.8
TA: 40


So I do need to raise the TA and PH. Current plan according to Poolmath is to add for the TA about 5lbs of Baking Soda.

For PH, about 2lbs of Washing Soda.

My question is the following:

1. will adding baking soda to raise TA naturally raise my PH as well? I assume that I should raise the TA before touching the PH due to the potential fluctuation.
2. is it just better to use borax for this?

Thanks and let me know!

 

[mknauss]

Use the baking soda to raise your TA to 70 or so.

Then aerate. Point your returns to the surface. Through 3 or 10 kids in the pool for a few hours. Etc.

Do not use the Washing Soda. It raises both TA and pH, and can be a bit temperamental. Do not use it unless your pH and TA crash.

 

[Donldson]

I would double check what adding 2 lbs of washing soda will do to your TA in the "Effects of adding chemicals" section of PoolMath. Washing soda raises pH and TA. You will probably need less baking soda if you use washing soda to adjust the pH first.

It's pretty rare for there to be a low pH problem with a TFP pool, do you have especially acidic fill water in your area?

 

[Deadaim]

Perfect! Thanks for the tip. I'll start with raising the TA to 70 with the baking soda tonight!

@Donldson, not particularly actually. And I didn't have that many issues at first when I opened the pool. I did go through a SLAM process earlier in the season due to algae.

Also, I do use a minimal amount of pucks which also I assume doesn't help. I always have my in line chlorinator onto the minimum when pump is running and supplement with liquid chlorine every couple of days.