Constant high pH

[cfrenia]

We have a new gunite pool, plastered with diamondbrite 2 weeks ago. I am having to add at least 2-3 cups of muriatic acid a day to keep my pH down. What is going on?

We have a SWG, approx 22k and these are my numbers:

pH - 7.9 (currently, I have not seen it go below 7.6)
FC - 3.0
TA - 70 to 80
Calcium - 110 (I know this is too low but I have been constantly messing with the pH so haven't been able to add hardness)
CYA - 0 (same as above - bought stabilizer but haven't been able to add it because I'm always adding MA)

We do have a water feature - up until yesterday filter and spillover were running 24/7 - yesterday we turned it down to 12/hr day.

Any advice? I realize that new plaster creates high pH but I can't seem to keep it down no matter what I add. I used a whole gallon in 4 days.

 

[Texas Splash]

What is going on?

It's curing. It can take several weeks/months for the pH to stabilize. You know that your spa spillover will increase the pH as well due to aeration, so keep that to a minimum. As for the CYA, that needs to be in there now. You must protect that FC from the sun or it will vanish in a matter of minutes leaving the pool open to algae. SWG pools should have a CYA fo about 70 minimum. As for the CH, a min 350 would be best, but I would at least get it up to 250 for now.

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[cfrenia]

It's curing. It can take several weeks/months for the pH to stabilize. You know that your spa spillover will increase the pH as well due to aeration, so keep that to a minimum. As for the CYA, that needs to be in there now. You must protect that FC from the sun or it will vanish in a matter of minutes leaving the pool open to algae. SWG pools should have a CYA fo about 70 minimum. As for the CH, a min 350 would be best, but I would at least get it up to 250 for now.

Welcome to TFP!

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

Thanks so much! So a gallon every few days doesn’t sound crazy?

I will add CYA now - how long do I need to wait before adding other chems? I am assuming I need 30+ of calcium so I didn’t want to dump it all in at once

 

[Texas Splash]

So a gallon every few days doesn’t sound crazy?

In the beginning it's not unheard of, but it should begin to stabilize soon. You can add the stabilizer (use the sock method) at anytime. It won't effect any other dosing. The only two things you want to keep separated is muriatic acid and liquid chlorine. Be sure to never add those at the exact same time and location. But only a few minutes separation is required with good water circulation.

 

[cfrenia]

In the beginning it's not unheard of, but it should begin to stabilize soon. You can add the stabilizer (use the sock method) at anytime. It won't effect any other dosing. The only two things you want to keep separated is muriatic acid and liquid chlorine. Be sure to never add those at the exact same time and location. But only a few minutes separation is required with good water circulation.

Ok great I am going to go to town then, lol. Thanks!

 

[PhillyRay]

Thanks so much! So a gallon every few days doesn’t sound crazy?

I will add CYA now - how long do I need to wait before adding other chems? I am assuming I need 30+ of calcium so I didn’t want to dump it all in at once

I'm sort of in your situation right now. Pool was re-plastered about 3 weeks ago.

Over the first 3 day's I feel like I couldn't add enough acid to keep it down while staying within the limitations of how much you can add in a given time.

Now its starting to settle and I'm adding acid every-other day.

 

[PhillyRay]

Thanks so much! So a gallon every few days doesn’t sound crazy?

I will add CYA now - how long do I need to wait before adding other chems? I am assuming I need 30+ of calcium so I didn’t want to dump it all in at once

I had to add *so much* calcium to get in range, needed about 50 pounds. I did it over the course of two days.