Best way to test PH and increase PH

[g3lo]

Hi,

Is soda ash still the best way to increase PH?

Also, what is the best way to test PH to get the numbers accurate to 1 decimal place? I find looking at the color of Taylor kits it’s subjective and approximate. I can’t 100% say it’s 7.2 or 7.4.

Current chemistry:
- Water looks clear and sparkly
- PH is about 7.0 - 7.2
- CYA = 50
- Chlorine = 6 (targeting 6 ppm and ensuring doesn’t go below 4 ppm)
- TA = 50
- CH = 100
- Vinyl Pool
- Temperature of water about 20 degrees Celsius

Thank you

 

[ajw22]

Why do you care about pH accurate to one decimal place? Any pH in the 7s is good for a pool.

Safest way to raise ph is by aeration.

 

[Pool_Medic]

Yes to soda ash, especially if you are a puck user. You’re splitting hairs over 7.2-7.4

 

[Richard320]

For testing: practice.

I hold the block at arm's length with a white background in the distance and squint so it gets all blurry. I can usually tell if it's closer to one number than the other, which will put it to one decimal place.

For raising pH, borax or soda ash will work. As a general rule, borax messes less with TA while raising pH than soda ash. You're making such a small change that it won't matter much either way. But don't pay big money for soda ash. Hit the laundry aisle for washing soda. Same stuff, lower price.

 

[ajw22]

Baking Soda = big TA change, small pH change
Borax = Big pH change, small TA change
Washing Soda = big pH change, big TA change.

 

[g3lo]

Is borax safe?

 

[g3lo]

Also, based on poolmath from this forum it shows 1KG of Borax will raise pH by 0.2 while raise TA by 2.6

 

[ajw22]

Also, based on poolmath from this forum it shows 1KG of Borax will raise pH by 0.2 while raise TA by 2.6

That changes pH by 20% of its range while changing TA by less then 5%.

What is your point?

 

[g3lo]

No point after comparing the alternatives.

What’s the best way to apply it? Just toss it in the pool?

 

[ajw22]

Toss it in and brush it around if any settles to the bottom.

 

[g3lo]

Many thanks!

 

[g3lo]

How would you read this. What is the PH?

 

[mknauss]

That is an odd color. Try it again with 4 drops of reagent.

 

[g3lo]

That’s pretty much been my issue with for many years. Lol odd colours all the time.

 

[mknauss]

Try it with 4 drops of reagent. It should lower the intensity of the color. I think you are at 7.5, but post a picture of it with 4 drops used.

 

[Richard320]

That's 7.4 or 7.5. Doesn't really matter which, it's swimmable!

 

[g3lo]

4 drops. Why does it say to put 5 then? Was I doing it wrong all the time?

 

[mknauss]

Not wrong. I just find 4 drops makes the colors easier for me to match. 7.5 it is.

 

[g3lo]

Many thanks.