High PH Question / New MemberÂ’ / First Forum Post

[MP3]

My pool is two years old. As of May 2018, my CYA got very high, and I could not hold a chlorine reading. I had been using pucks & chlorine granulates. It was at this time that I started reading TFPÂ’s site and switched to Liquid Chlorine and got my CYA down. I now can hold a Chlorine reading. Here is my issue. My Ph is high. I keep it at 7.8 or below, but I use a lot of Muratic Acid to do so. It seems impossible to keep it around 7.4. If I get it down to 7.4-7.5, It will be at 7.8 within 24 hours or less. If I donÂ’t add some MA when Ph is 7.8, it will rise to 8 or above in a day.

Todays readings before adding anything. TC 1, Ph 7.8, TA 100, Calcium Hardness 275, CYA 40-45. Pool details are in my signature.

Short story is I have no problem holding a chlorine reading since getting the CYA down. Usually, when I add Liquid Chlorine, I add no more than 1/2 gallon at a time. I am using 8.25% LC. Since last Sunday, Sept. 2, I have used 1 gallon, 1 quart & 1 cup of LC (21 cups). I have to use a lot of muratic acid. Since Sunday, Sept. 2, I have used 1.125 gallons (18 cups) of Muratic Acid. My TA doesnÂ’t drop dramatically quickly, but I do have to add about 5 lbs of baking soda/sodium bicarbonate about every two weeks to keep the TA above 100.

From reading this forum, it doesnÂ’t seem to be normal to have to use so much MA. Ideas? Looking for help to stabilize Ph.

This is my first post in TFP forum. I tried to put all the necessary info in my signature. Let me know what I missed.

Thanks.

 

[Katodude]

What test kit are you using. Around here they recommend the TF-100 which is what I have, and a great kit. If you don’t have one get a SpeedStir makes testing much easier and more accurate.

Also you are fighting yourself. Stop adding the baking soda, raising your TA is causing your PH to rise rapidly. Let the TA settle, but don’t let it drop below 50. The experts will give you more precise advice around this. Also your waterfall is causing aeration which raises the PH.

 

[AimeeH]

Welcome to TFP

You may be well served to try to lower your TA. Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity

Aeration will raise your PH. I see in your signature there is a waterfall, that type of aeration will definitely cause PH rise. You can try lowering TA and you might find that sweet spot TA number to help stabilize PH.

Read that link and ask questions if you have them.

 

[MP3]

What test kit are you using. Around here they recommend the TF-100 which is what I have, and a great kit. If you don’t have one get a SpeedStir makes testing much easier and more accurate. I use the TF-100 also.

Also you are fighting yourself. Stop adding the baking soda, raising your TA is causing your PH to rise rapidly. Let the TA settle, but don’t let it drop below 50. The experts will give you more precise advice around this. Also your waterfall is causing aeration which raises the PH.

.
I agree with you. This is a great site and forum, and I’ve already learned a lot. The levels I have been working toward from this site and the TF-100 test kit are Chlorine 2-5, Ph 7.4-7.5, TA 110., Hardness 275-325, CYA 40. This is the first I’ve heard of letting the TA drop as low a 50. Mine did drop to 60 about a month ago, but then I brought it back up. I’m interested. Tell me more about that.

With regard to the waterfall, the pool (and waterfall) run 8 hours/day. They run simulatneuously with no option to seperate. Since I’m not using the puck chlorinator anymore, I’ve been considering moving to 6 hours and cutting the waterfall time by 25%. Thoughts anyone?

 

[Katodude]

For TA there is no right number. Your pool will find its own equilibrium. I used to have my TA at 100 and had the same problem as you. Now it has drifted down to 70 and pretty much stays there. I have to add a little acid about every 3 days but much less than I used, and not every day.

The waterfall is up to you, it causes aeration which will raise the PH, but its also pretty and sounds nice. You can decide what is best for you. Once your TA is down you can mess with the waterfall.

Read the link that Aimee put in, it will help a lot.

 

[MP3]

Thanks for the quick and friendly responses. I knew I was fighting myself, but couldn’t stop.
I had a problem reply earlier to Aimee, but was able to copy it. I will go ahead and past it here. Is there a “Too Low” on TA?

You may be well served to try to lower your TA. Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity Good Read. That all makes sense and I’d like to try it. However, this article doesn’t say “how low is too low”. Do you know?

Aeration will raise your PH. I see in your signature there is a waterfall, that type of aeration will definitely cause PH rise. You can try lowering TA and you might find that sweet spot TA number to help stabilize Ph. In addition to the waterfall, I have a water feature that I can turn on that can aerate a signification amount. I hope to find that sweet spot for the TA, but don’t know how low I can go or should go.

 

[Katodude]

Don’t go below 50 on TA.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.

We recommend not going below a TA of 50 ppm. At that point conditions can allow your pH to crash or at least become unstable.

 

[MP3]

Thanks. I’ll report back.

 

[tim5055]

Just to jump on here, as the others have said - a TA of 100 or so (like pool stores like to recommend) can make the pH very unstable. Once I found TFP my TA has been stable at 50 for over 3 years. I add a little acid every few days to keep the pH in line, but the TA is rock solid.

i guess the take away is not to chase a "perfect" TA number. As long as it is 50 or above you are good. Don't get scared as it approaches 50, because if it drops a little the world isn't going ot end. A little baking soda will bring it backup without issue.