Muriatic acid loss constantly

[AJ81]

Is it normal to need to add muriatic acid every 2-3 days? It’s been like this all summer. PH climbs to 8.0, we put in 4 cups which brings it down to 7.4 and then 3 days later it’s back up to 8.

 

[PoolStored]

What is your TA? What is your fill water TA? Do you have an autofill.
How old is the plaster?
Do you have water features?

High TA, low pH, water features and new plaster cause pH rise.

If your TA is 60-80, then stop lowering pH to 7.4. It should be fairly stable around 7.8 - 8.0, which is just fine.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Is your pool new or has been replastered or acid washed recently? Those instances will cause the pool to diminish the MA for a year or two.

 

[AJ81]

Our pool was new in may 2023 and was acid washed this spring.

 

[AJ81]

What is your TA? What is your fill water TA? Do you have an autofill.
How old is the plaster?
Do you have water features?

High TA, low pH, water features and new plaster cause pH rise.

If your TA is 60-80, then stop lowering pH to 7.4. It should be fairly stable around 7.8 - 8.0, which is just fine.

Our TA remains right around 80. Question on that though: we use the Taylor k2006c kit so the drop test indicates TA of 80. In the booklet there’s an equation that says it provides a more accurate TA. Does anyone do that? That results in a very different number

 

[PoolStored]

In the booklet there’s an equation that says it provides a more accurate TA. Does anyone do that? That results in a very different number

Nope.

If your TA is steady at 80, even with the additions of acid, you are just dealing with the plaster curing, and some pressure from the low pH when you drive it to 7.4. Lower to 7.8 when you get to 8.0. Don't force it down to 7.4 and see how stable your pH is between 7.8 and 8.0.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Why did you have an acid wash done one year after it was built? Acid washing removes plaster so it is a 'last option' type of thing. Acid washers will tell you to do it every 5 years but I only did it once in the last 22.

 

[reggiehammond]

Our TA remains right around 80. Question on that though: we use the Taylor k2006c kit so the drop test indicates TA of 80. In the booklet there’s an equation that says it provides a more accurate TA. Does anyone do that? That results in a very different number

Test the TA of your fill water; it's likely higher than your pool water, so that each time you add water to account for evaporation, you increase your TA. I find that TA has to be 50-60 for me to lessen pH drift and stop needing to add MA.

I'm on well water with very high TA, so it's a constant battle, but given the lack of rain and extreme heat, your fill water TA is important.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Also make sure you know its okay at 8.0, then just knock it down once it goes above 8.0. Mine will quickly jump up to 7.8 but stay at 7.8-8.0 for weeks at a time, after the plaster/pebble cured of course.

Lastly, make sure you do not have a bunch of aeration going on (waterfalls, spa spillover, bubblers, etc) as those will make your pH rise prematurely.

 

[burnslogan]

Our pool was new in may 2023 and was acid washed this spring.

We have the same issues with our pool. But, we have a lot of factors that weigh toward an increasing PH (big water features, SWG, and new plaster). One thing I did that has helped was getting our TA down to recommended levels. It took several weeks and multiple cycles of bringing PH down to 7.0 and letting it rise naturally to bring the TA down. We now have TA at 70 and the PH is more stable. Although, I expect we will have to keep adding MA given our high level of aeration through water features and the new plaster.

 

[AJ81]

Why did you have an acid wash done one year after it was built? Acid washing removes plaster so it is a 'last option' type of thing. Acid washers will tell you to do it every 5 years but I only did it once in the last 22.

Because we had water dripping in the concrete right before the plastering was supposed to happen and it continued after the plaster job which left big white marks. The acid wash solved some of the big marks but a few remain and now we’re told we also have scale that left streaks in the pool. Pebble manufacturer told us to do a bath of jack’s magic #2 which we haven’t done yet.

 

[AJ81]

Also make sure you know its okay at 8.0, then just knock it down once it goes above 8.0. Mine will quickly jump up to 7.8 but stay at 7.8-8.0 for weeks at a time, after the plaster/pebble cured of course.

Lastly, make sure you do not have a bunch of aeration going on (waterfalls, spa spillover, bubblers, etc) as those will make your pH rise prematurely.

Thank you. Good to know. We have a bubbler, spa spillover (although this is not a waterfall effect -just a few inches difference in height from pool water level), and sheer descents that we run when we add the chemicals.