Need help with TA/Ph

[CFPoolguy]

FC-3
CC-0
CYA-40
pH 7.0 (or lower)
TA- 150

we’ve had a lot of rain lately so I expected my pH to be up. Rain quit this afternoon and after I tested I was super surprised it had gotten so low. I also discovered my TA has drifted up to 150 from 100 when I checked it last.

Is my TA too high or should I not bother for now? I’m a little worried that as I raise my pH my TA will get too far up.

Also- so far, I’ve only ever had to lower pH (it typically would drift up toward 8.0 from 7.6 where I keep it over the course of a week or two of regular use by the kids). This is the first time I’ve seen it down. Any guesses what could cause this? Are these two issues of mine related?

thanks as always!

 

[jblizzle]

What is the TA and pH of your tap water?

You can largely ignore the TA and just keep the pH in range. The pH should rise fairly quickly on its own, aeration would speed it up.

 

[JamesW]

So, your TA is rising and the pH is falling?

That really doesn't make sense. Anything that raises the TA will raise the pH. To lower the pH without lowering the TA requires a weak acid like cyanuric acid, carbonic acid (CO2) or boric acid.

If you added bicarb and then something acidic, like trichlor, that might do it.

What chemicals have been added?

Maybe it's test error?

 

[lightmaster]

When you test your TA, do you wipe the top of the R-0009 bottle with a damp paper towel before each and every drop? If you don't, it builds up a static charge that causes each consecutive drop to get smaller, giving you a false high test result.

 

[aussieta]

what are you using to chlorinate

 

[CFPoolguy]

Thanks for the several replies. I’ll respond as best as I know.

Jblizzle- I have never tested our well water (we don’t use tap- we have a well we fill from). I’ll test it today and report back.

JamesW- I’m using muriatic acid to lower pH, liquid bleach/chlorine for sanitizing. I agree that it doesn’t make much sense (part of why I thought to ask about it)

lightmaster- I wasn’t aware that I should be wiping the R009, but I certainly can start today.

Aussieta- liquid chlorine/bleach

as soon as I retest- I’ll report back. Thanks everyone!

 

[CFPoolguy]

Okay- the tests are in!

I tested this morning and again tonight and got essentially the same results.

FC- 4
CC-0
TA-175 (I may or may not have let an extra drop squeak by)
pH-7.8
CH- 250
CYA-50

both this morning and tonight I got a pH of 7.8 so a I think my 7.0 was an error. I can’t believe I didn’t think to retest.

I did check my well water and got the following:

CH-250
pH-7.0
TA- 325

so unless I’m missing something it looks like I’m doin alright? Is that what you all would think?

 

[lightmaster]

Higher pH with high TA makes a lot more sense. When your pH gets above 7.8, knock it back down to 7.2, rinse and repeat. Each time you add MA, you'll knock the TA down more. You can accelerate this process by aerating the water to cause the pH to rise up faster. If no waterfall or anything like that, then a utility pump would work if you have the hose shooting the water out into the pool so it splashes a bit.

Your pH will start rising slower as your TA gets closer in range.

With such a high TA in your well, the more you have to top off your pool, the more the TA is gonna rise up again.

 

[CFPoolguy]

Higher pH with high TA makes a lot more sense. When your pH gets above 7.8, knock it back down to 7.2, rinse and repeat.

Great idea. ?

With such a high TA in your well, the more you have to top off your pool, the more the TA is gonna rise up again.

I never really thought about that- I always thought of partially draining and refilling the pool as a way to lower TA - but I suppose in my case that method won’t work for me.