Newbie-ish Here. Test Results Help

[B_Michaels]

Hi all, long-time listener, first-time caller. I learn so much from you guys, so thank you in advance!

I have the TFP Test Kit with Smart Stir. Here are my test results as of 7:15pm (sun below the trees and not on the pool).

Pool: 24,000 gallons, pebbie tech, SWG

FC: 5
pH: 8 (per poolmath, added about 2 quarts of Muriatic Acid just now)
TA: 130 (it's been high all summer!)
CYA: 50 (I need to add some stabilizer or conditioner)
CH: 580 (has been high all summer)
Salt: 4400
Temp: 90 degrees
CSI: 0.73!!!! Dang!

I am noticing white flakes in the pool and especially the spa (which waterfalls into the pool when pump is on) since there isn't a lot of water movement this time of year. I plan to clean the SWG tomorrow morning.

What do I need to do to get these levels in line? Feel like I'm constantly adding Muriatic Acid and Chlorine. But the CSI is way too Dang high!

Thank you guys!

 

[Newdude]

Hey B and Welcpme !!!

TA: 130

Keep the Ph a low 7. It'll rise pretty quick and each cycle will lower the TA a little. Once the TA is a 60, your scaling should cease and go back to running a high 7 Ph.

 

[B_Michaels]

Ok, thank you. I added 81oz of Muriatic Acid last night per the app. That should lower pH and then aerating this morning with the water feature to raise pH so that I can add more MA to try and get this TA down. It’s stubborn as heck! I just can’t believe how much MA I’ve had to add this summer.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

What's the TA of your fill/tap water? You may be fighting rising TA as a result of evaporation.

 

[B_Michaels]

Good question! I’m not quite sure. How do I find out? I suppose I can put some in a bucket and then test with the test kit. I have an auto filler but I turned that off for a few days while I try to Lowe me TA. I ran out of MA so I need to grab more this morning.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Just pull a sample from the tap water you use to top off.

Is your fill line connected to a water softener. If not, you might want to test CH as well. Since CH doesn't evaporate, each time you top off, CH increases.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Your CH test results indicates you're using a 25 mL sample. You really don't need that type of precision for CH. Just use a 10 mL sample to conserve reagents.

In the link below, scroll down to CH test.

Extended Test Kit Directions Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[B_Michaels]

Tested the tap/ fill water.

TA is 200
CH is 200

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

That seems a bit high for tap water TA but it is possible. With new test kits, you need to wipe the tip of the r0009 reagent with a damp rag between each drop. After several tests, this static charge should dissipate. This is to remove a possible static electricity charge. On the link I provided for testing, click on the TA test for more info.

 

[PoolStored]

With fill water TA of 200. You will be battling TA.

Here is a good link for you...

Lowering Total Alkalinity (TA) Quickly with the Acid Aeration Method

Thought I'd make a post that might help others. We've had quite a few members this year with high TA, and I've been typing the same information over and over. I'm going to post this so I can link it to help others. High TA can cause rapid pH rise. High TA is typically caused by high TA fill...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[B_Michaels]

Thanks @PoolStored. I read your article. I have fountains that create a lot of bubbles.

I will test the sample water again and wipe off the rip. I used a reagent that I’ve used for a year now, so it isn’t new but will wipe off anyway. I lowered pH to 7.0 and will aerate to increase it so I can keep lowering TA today and tomorrow.

Thank you guys so much!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I assumed you had new reagents. If it's a year old, disregard.

 

[B_Michaels]

Tested again by wiping off the cap and

TA is 170 to 180 (18 drops made it very red)

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

So, now you know what you're up against. Evaporation and top offs will be working against you.

 

[B_Michaels]

So, an update from the weekend of pool watching and adjusting, lol

Have added more than 2 gallons of MA to the pool (over time of course) and aerated each time. I’m still aerating today to get the pH up but here is how the test results show at 2:20p

pH: 7.2
FC: 2.2 (will increase when I get the pH and TA under control??)
TA: 80 (way down from 130 on Friday!)
CYA: 80
Temp: 92 degrees

Based on the Pool Math app, once I get the pH around 7.6 and my TA about 75, then my CSI will go to like -.03.

So, I’ll leave my aerator on this afternoon and test it again this evening. I have turned off my auto filler because of the extremely high TA until I get it under control. Will have to turn it back on eventually….