Low TA, continually rising pH

[CypressTx]

Hi all,
15k gallon non-salt water pool.
My TA was low 4 weeks ago (30) so I added 16lbs of baking soda. The pH kept rising to 8+ super fast after that so I kept adding muriatic acid to bring it back down.
Today I tested my TA again and it's only 47, so I added 4lbs baking soda. My pH is rising quickly after doing so, again, so I'm again adding acid to keep the pH down.
I don't have any fountains running or aeration. I'm using sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) 13% that I buy in bulk for chlorination.
I feel like the constant baking soda to raise TA and acid to lower pH is causing me to go thru both fast and feels counter productive.
I also think I may be adding softened water as my TDS is high and I can taste a bit of saltiness - I'm trying to find someone to see if they can bypass my softener on my pool refill.
I'm waiting around 8 hours after adding baking soda to bring the pH back down, but it seems like it's just bringing the TA right back down with it.

 

[mknauss]

How did you get that TA result?

Today I tested my TA again and it's only 47

 

[CypressTx]

How did you get that TA result?

I used my Taylor kit and then had Leslies check it too.

 

[mknauss]

It is not possible to get a TA of 47 using a Taylor kit.

Are you still using the pH probe for pH? Realize that getting a pH over 8 with a TA of 40 or less with any CYA in the water is not chemically possibly unless you borax or some other caustic material.

 

[CypressTx]

I’m using a keto-ai smart skimmer but my Taylor and Leslies read the same. To clarify, I didn’t get to test the alkalinity while the pH was >8. But my pH climbs daily and I add acid every other day roughly to keep my under 8. I probably need to test TA more often but I tend to test it when the pH is 7.2-7.6 and the last two times my taylor kit turned colors after 4 drops.

 

[TexEdmond]

taylor kit turned colors after 4 drops.

I believe the TA test is complete when the color stops changing, not when it starts. For me that was usually 2-3 drops more. Add drops till there's no more color change, and don't count the last drop that doesn't change color past Barbie pink.