Ideal/target numbers?

[Pepperdinegal]

Hello all! I’ve just completed an RO process on the pool and I’m trying to figure out my “target” numbers. Rapidly rising pH has always been a battle. What have you found to be the “ideal” numbers? We run a SWG and as far as climate, we’ll, it’s Oct 3 and 105 here today lol.

 

[dereksanders]

Plenty of desert dwellers to guide you . . .

 

[mas985]

Chlorine targets should be based upon CYA targets (~10% * CYA ppm).
CYA targets should be based upon the chlorination type and with a SWG, you should target between 60-80 ppm. Add enough for 60 ppm and then test again.

The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship

Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.

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With a plaster pool, I would target CSI rather than individual PH, TA & CH although, I would have at least 200 ppm of CH and PH above 7.0. TA will find it's own equilibrium with the other levels so I would not focus on TA unless you have a hard time targeting CSI. I find targeting a CSI of around -0.4 keeps scale off the paster and SWG.

 

[Pepperdinegal]

Here are the current readings, as well as the steps I’m considering. Thoughts/opinions welcome!

Currently —-> ideal

pH : 6.8 —-> 7.6
FC : 0 —-> 6
TA : 50 —->80
CH : 180
CYA : 10 —->70
TDS : 1100
Salt : 700 —->3200

Step 1. Get some liquid chlorine in the pool by dumping 1.5 gallons
Step 2. Add 12lbs of baking soda to bring TA up to 80
Step 3. Adjust pH using 18lbs of Borax
Step 4. Add 14lbs of dry stabilizer to bring CYA up to 70
Step 5. Add 14 (40lb) bags of salt

I plan on doing this over the course of several days all along rechecking my levels. Would love feedback, as I really don’t want to mess this up!

 

[mas985]

Currently —-> ideal

In my mind, there is no such thing as a single "ideal" target numbers only acceptable ranges. Ignore everything that says it is "Ideal".

pH : 6.8 —-> 7.6

I would leave this alone for now. Given the rest of your numbers. This will rise on it's own given enough time.

FC : 0 —-> 6
TA : 50 —->80

Do not directly adjust TA, it is better to adjust PH instead. TA will settle on it's own and 50 ppm is fine.

CH : 180
CYA : 10 —->70

Target 60 first so you don't overshoot.

TDS : 1100
Salt : 700 —->3200

Step 1. Get some liquid chlorine in the pool by dumping 1.5 gallons
Step 2. Add 12lbs of baking soda to bring TA up to 80
Step 3. Adjust pH using 18lbs of Borax
Step 4. Add 14lbs of dry stabilizer to bring CYA up to 70
Step 5. Add 14 (40lb) bags of salt

I plan on doing this over the course of several days all along rechecking my levels. Would love feedback, as I really don’t want to mess this up!

Skip step #2 as that is unnecessary. 50 ppm is just fine although I would not allow it to go much lower. Given, your location, I suspect you have very high TA & CH fill water so over time, TA will rise on it's own.

For Step #3, I would wait a couple days as PH will likely rise very quickly given the TA level.

CSI will be -1.4 with the other changes (CYA & Salt) which is below recommended levels but like I said before, this will change very quickly and 0.8 PH rise should be easily accomplished by just waiting for CO2 to outgas. If you don't see any changes in PH over time, then and only then would I add borax but only to get to a PH of 7.6.

 

[Pepperdinegal]

Perfect. So right now just focus on getting my CYA up and adding FC? I’ll monitor the pH and TA over the next week. What about the salt? Can I add that at any time?

 

[mas985]

Perfect. So right now just focus on getting my CYA up and adding FC? I’ll monitor the pH and TA over the next week. What about the salt? Can I add that at any time?

Yes and yes. You can add CYA, FC and salt all at the same time.