High alkalinity issue

stldan6417

New member
Jun 23, 2024
3
granite city, IL
Pool Size
5400
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
First, water has always been crystal clear since we opened.
My PH was at 8.0 TA at 140 and FC at 4. I used Muriatic and PH is at 7.4 Alkalinity at 130 and FC at 3.0. After a couple days, PH will creep back to 7.8 to 8.0 and alkalinity back to 140. Chlorine stays relatively stable and water stays clear.
Is there something I’m not seeing causing these higher levels?
 
Is there something I’m not seeing causing these higher levels?
The TA from your fill water is notoriously high in your area. Any water you add will spike the TA. As long as you don't add water or add baking soda, the TA shouldn't rise on its own. The pH however is always looking for a reason to rise. You have the right idea though. Once the pH hits the 8.0 mark, use enough muriatic acid to lower the pH down to about 7.0-7.2. The PoolMath APP can help you with the dosage amount. Then let the pH rise and when it gets to the 8.0 mark, repeat. Each time you do that it should lower the TA a bit unless you add new water.

Keep in mind the pH is much more important for you right now. Sure, a lower TA should help slow the rise of pH, but don't lose sleep over it. Do the acid thing and slowly but surely the TA will fall.
 
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The TA from your fill water is notoriously high in your area. Any water you add will spike the TA. As long as you don't add water or add baking soda, the TA shouldn't rise on its own. The pH however is always looking for a reason to rise. You have the right idea though. Once the pH hits the 8.0 mark, use enough muriatic acid to lower the pH down to about 7.0-7.2. The PoolMath APP can help you with the dosage amount. Then let the pH rise and when it gets to the 8.0 mark, repeat. Each time you do that it should lower the TA a bit unless you add new water.

Keep in mind the pH is much more important for you right now. Sure, a lower TA should help slow the rise of pH, but don't lose sleep over it. Do the acid thing and slowly but surely the TA will fall.
Thank you. Unfortunately after I backwash and rinse I add new water to bring the water level back up. Makes sense now since I wasn’t aware of higher TA levels from our tap water. Come to think of it, I should have test PH and TA from the tap before we filled then I would have already known what to expect.
Again, thank you so much.
 
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