PebbleSheen salt water pool needs muriatic acid twice a week...is that normal?

[joe603]

Hello all! I have a 22k PebbleSheen pool that is brand new. We opened it in April 2018, and added salt in May (waited the 30 days as per PBI). I keep the pentair intellichlor at 50% and get FC readings around 2.6-2.8. It seems that every time I test, I need to lower my PH. Usually need two drops to get it to 7.4...translates to adding 1.15qts of muriatic acid. I've read that SWGs make the water alkaline...is that the norm?

My current total alkalinity is 80 (when it hits 70, I add enough baking soda to get it to 100).

CYA is another topic...difficult to measure with my Taylor kit...i fill it to the top and still can see the black dot. Leslie's test it between 30-50. Wondering if I should add CYA to get it to where I can read it properly at 30. Thoughts?

 

[jblizzle]

Stop raising the TA. The higher the TA, the more the pH is pulled up. See if your acid demand lowers if you let the TA drop to 50-60ppm.

Sounds like your CYA is still too low < 30ppm (if you have the K-2006).
We recommend CYA of 70-80ppm for a SWG pool.
This will lower the FC losses to the sun and allow you to reduce the SWG output and thus lower the aeration that it causes, slowing the pH rise.

 

[joe603]

Thanks Jason, that makes sense. I'll try to reduce the TA. What are your acid demands with your Pebble pool?

 

[jblizzle]

I add maybe a quart a week, keeps my pH around 7.8.

My CH is a little low right now, so I have to keep the pH higher to keep the CSI in balance.

You may find that once the TA is a little lower, the pH might fine equilibrium around 7.8 or so.

 

[joe603]

Here is my CYA setup

 

[joe603]

Is this the best way to add CYA? There seems to be a few schools of thought about this subject. The bucket of CYA says to broadcast or add to skimmer directly. If it makes a difference, I have a cartridge filter and 2 skimmers.

 

[jblizzle]

I would say that is the best way. Then you know when it is all dissolved. Definitely do not just throw it in the pool.

 

[ajw22]

Is this the best way to add CYA? There seems to be a few schools of thought about this subject. The bucket of CYA says to broadcast or add to skimmer directly. If it makes a difference, I have a cartridge filter and 2 skimmers.

That is way better than the directions on the bucket.

I think manufacturers simplify their instructions so the consumer when they pick up the product will not feel it is too complicated and buy a simpler one. Imagine what the label would need to say to describe the sock method. And many folks would read that and then buy the product that says just toss it in your skimmer. Of course much of the CYA is tossed in the skimmer may never get into the pool water if a backwash is done. But does the vendor really care about that? Nah, they just sell more to you.

BTW, shake the stick and knead the sock like dough every hour or so and the CYA will dissolve quicker.

 

[Esloser]

When my pool was new, I was going through about a gallon a week of acid to keep it in range. Now, after it has been two years, I’m at about a gallon a month or less.

 

[ajw22]

When my pool was new, I was going through about a gallon a week of acid to keep it in range. Now, after it has been two years, I’m at about a gallon a month or less.

I don't see a SWG in your signature. The OP SWG makes the difference in why he has a constant PH rise battle.

 

[joe603]

Well the stocking started to rip, so i ended up using my net and squeezing it out. At the halfway point, i put the sock in my skimmer with the hose to wash it down. Had some granules make it to the bottom, so i brushed the pool. Seems to be clear now...how long before it will show up in a water test?

 

[Esloser]

I don't see a SWG in your signature. The OP SWG makes the difference in why he has a constant PH rise battle.

I have a SSG too.