New pool Ph and acid needs?

Brant

Well-known member
Jan 25, 2024
180
Boerne Texas
I was warned about high Ph on new pools/plaster but we are adding about a gallon of 14% muriatic acid every other day on a 24k gal pool. Ph is bouncing around 7.8 at the lowest to 8.2. These Ph numbers are from Leslie's gucci machine. I usually get a little lower number using my milwaukee MW102 Ph meter (right or wrong, I'm trusting Leslie's machine more than my meter readings).

Is this normal? Should I be adding more acid to try and get the Ph lower? When does it finally normalize and the acid needs slow down?

Other test numbers...

Alkalinity is staying around 100 to 120 (both Leslie's and using my TFP testing kit).

CH readings from Leslie's are around 225 to 250. My TFP testing kit shows my CH around 275 to 300. Again, not sure who to trust. I also had these numbers confirmed at a local water treatment place that uses the same testing equipment as Leslie's and they are pretty much identical to Leslie's. I dont know how accurate the TFP testing kits are in comparison to Leslie's electronic machine.

I appreciate any insight/advice. Am I overthinking these numbers? I dont want to ruin my plaster so I'm trying to do the best job possible but I'm struggling to trust these tests when my results don't match.
 
I was warned about high Ph on new pools/plaster but we are adding about a gallon of 14% muriatic acid every other day on a 24k gal pool. Ph is bouncing around 7.8 at the lowest to 8.2. These Ph numbers are from Leslie's gucci machine. I usually get a little lower number using my milwaukee MW102 Ph meter (right or wrong, I'm trusting Leslie's machine more than my meter readings).

Is this normal? Should I be adding more acid to try and get the Ph lower? When does it finally normalize and the acid needs slow down?

Other test numbers...

Alkalinity is staying around 100 to 120 (both Leslie's and using my TFP testing kit).

CH readings from Leslie's are around 225 to 250. My TFP testing kit shows my CH around 275 to 300. Again, not sure who to trust. I also had these numbers confirmed at a local water treatment place that uses the same testing equipment as Leslie's and they are pretty much identical to Leslie's. I dont know how accurate the TFP testing kits are in comparison to Leslie's electronic machine.

I appreciate any insight/advice. Am I overthinking these numbers? I dont want to ruin my plaster so I'm trying to do the best job possible but I'm struggling to trust these tests when my results don't match.
Be careful of the pH meter. They need to be calibrated and cleaned frequently and sometime stored in a special solution to stay calibrated.
 
They are all the same reagents. TFTestkits just repackages them in better ratios and amounts (like more FC testing and less TA and CH), and at a better price.
TFTestkits is not TFP. We are a 503c charity, TFTestkits is its own company.
 
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