First opening...first real thread. 30' radiant ABG with 4" coping.

[Mr Bruce]

I use the powder every time. I don't even know where the "yellow" bottle is.

 

[doc8404]

Might as well get some MA at the pool store when I drop off their ladder.
Not a fan of this Bioguard lo and slo they gave me last year. Doesn't drop the ph like the label says.

 

[Mr Bruce]

They sell it at Home Depot and Lowes and some paint stores as well.

 

[doc8404]

I didn't get it at the pool store. He couldn't believe i wanted to use a full gallon of the 30+% stuff.
Thats what pool math says though.
Also told me the tabs are a pH of 6
and bleach is like 13.5.
Did admit the CYA would climb. He has been good with us.
Said the MA would drop my TA too much.
No hard sell on tabs or anything.

 

[doc8404]

Bought sodium bisulphate again instead. No MA at Walmart

 

[doc8404]

I didn't get it at the pool store. He couldn't believe i wanted to use a full gallon of the 30+% stuff.
Thats what pool math says though.
Also told me the tabs are a pH of 6
and bleach is like 13.5 and that is one reason my pH is so high.
Did admit the CYA would climb. He has been good with us.
Said the MA would drop my TA too much.
No hard sell on tabs or anything.

Is there any validity to his statements?

 

[Texas Splash]

I don't recall the estimated pH of a chlorine tablet, but they are acidic, so they do have the potential to pull pH (and TA) down while driving CYA up. Bleach, when used at FC levels over 10, does temporarily increase pH which is why during a SLAM we test pH and lower it first, then after the SLAM when FC goes back down to normal the pH is fine. MA does lower TA, but it takes time. Your pH will drop faster which is why when treating a pool with high TA, you have to use the acid/aeration method as noted on the Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity page.

 

[doc8404]

I'm working from that page. Dropped to 7.2 and keeping return jet up until further notice.

 

[doc8404]

Back to 7.5 already. Says to add 180oz of dry acid.
Can we swim tonight with all that in there???
might need to shift to MA.
Whats the lowest pH we can swim at?

 

[doc8404]

Wow. Fill water is actually ph <7.5 and TA of 480!!!

[h=2]After heavy rain, TA dropped from 200 to 160[/h]

new levels
FC 5.5
cc trace (one drop)
ph 8.0 or so
CYA 50
TA 160

adding 13oz 10% bleach, 110 of 20• MA and aerating.​

 

[doc8404]

Two hours later

pH 7.2
TA 160

is that possible TA didn't drop?

 

[Texas Splash]

If I were you, I would rely on the muriatic (liquid) acid as opposed to the dry stuff. It's much quicker and easier to administer to the pool without the muss & fuss of pre-dissolving. In addition, I think you will have an easier time hitting your pH target. Speaking of pH target, I would recommend making 7.0 your pH target. Some pools need to go just under 7.2 to see positive gains in changing the TA. Having a very high TA in your local fill water is not all that unusual as I've seen several other members post their fill TA as well in the 400s. It takes some owners a good part of the swimming season to finally get it down.

 

[doc8404]

Thx. Water too cold to swim anyway so will drop to 7.0 and aerate with return.

Using solely MA now. Take care.

 

[doc8404]

pH 7.0
TA 130
FC 6
CC trace

 

[Texas Splash]

Slowly but surely I see that TA is dropping. Nice!

 

[doc8404]

Thx. Not aerating for now. Trying to keep heat.

 

[doc8404]

PH 7.0 as close as I can guess
FC 5.0 which is great considering my new CYA appears to be 40
CC nada
CYA 40
TA 90

 

[doc8404]

Refreshing 70 degrees. Crazy five year old!

 

[Texas Splash]

Those were good numbers. Looks like you have control of things now.

 

[doc8404]

Those were good numbers. Looks like you have control of things now.

I'm happy with them, excited to test pH today to see what half a day of aerating can do....
is it sad that I'm excited? LOL.

Thanks for the help! Learning so much here and hoping to convert my MIL and best friend soon!