Low PH, high TA

[Lorena44]

Hello!

I've recently started trying to maintain our pool chemicals, and I need some help.

Yesterday, our pool was not reading any chlorine. I went to the pool store and was advised to add shock to the pool which I did. We currently use the Sutro testing cartridge, and this morning it was reading the TA between 181-200. The PH was at 7.8, but I was advised to use MA to try to lower the TA. I added the muriatic acid, which then decreased the PH to 7. What do you recommend I do next? Should I add borax or soda ash to increase the ph? If so, is there one more effective than the other?

Here are the current readings:
PH = 7.0
FC= 1.6
TA= 181-200

All help is greatly appreciated! Thank you

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! For a moment, let's assume this Sutro testing is accurate. If your pH fell to 7.0 but your TA is still elevated, the pH should rise very quickly on its own. You don't need to add anything.

Now for TFP recommendations. We highly encourage pool owners to use a TF-100 (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C test kit. Either of these drop test kits will provide a season's worth of accurate, reliable results. That will help keep you out of the pool store that most often gives horrible advice and tries to see you products you don't need. Please be sure to visit our Pool Care Basics page and let us know if you have ANY questions at all. Enjoy the forum.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Britali]

You are going to need a good test kit…get one of the ones Texas Splash suggested. If you get the Taylor K-2006C from Amazon, get the speed stir too. To get control of your pool & know what to do, you are going to have to know what is going on with your pool. And testing at home is easier, more trustworthy & more convenient than driving to store (human error exists & it is not their pool). If intimidated by it…I promise it gets easier & takes just minutes. There are tons of helpful videos on how to use the Taylor test kits.

You do have to maintain your FC and can use the pool math app to add 5ppm FC per day until your kit arrives. Definitely get the app! So helpful for ranges and how much for your specific pool.

pH in the 7’s is alright. You do not want it to drop to 6 or go into 8. TA will come down a little each time you bring down pH so do not worry about bringing TA down itself. pH tends to rise naturally…if you drop too low & want to raise pH without raising TA you use aeration. Basically splashing water into pool (via hose, fountain, kids etc) to add air bubbles to the water.

Check out Pool School to get familiar with things so it does not seem overwhelming.

Pool School

www.troublefreepool.com

And get familiar with the relationship of FC and CYA…that is at the core of keeping your pool crystal clear.

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.

www.troublefreepool.com

You care about your pool & want to do what needs to be done to keep it good…no one will care more than you. These are just the tools to do that.