pH continues to creep up

[suttonjacob]

Pool has been sparkling clear for over a month. Latest test results:

FC-5.5
CC-0
pH-7.8
TA-130
CYA-45
CH-225

My FC seems to be pretty stable. I had about a 1/2 gallon 8.25% walmart bleach just about every day, sometimes a full gallon if I miss a day or 2. I have added Muriatic Acid 2 or 3 times already in small amounts to get the pH to drop to 7.2-7.4 but it always seems to creep back up towards 8. Is this normal? I'm a first time pool owner this year. We have had a few small rains, about to get quite a bit from tropical storm Cindy though. Kids have been in the pool probably average 3 times a week about an hour or so at a time.

Any suggestions on keeping my pH in the 7.5-7.6 range? Or is a constant up creep the normal and I just have to add acid every couple of weeks?

 

[pabeader]

Your TA is a bit higher than average. This will contribute to a rise a pH. Also, some folks find that if you let the pH rise to around 7.6 or even 7.8, it will stay there for weeks at a time.

 

[Richard320]

The high TA is responsible. Each time you lower pH, you're also lowering TA a little bit. As TA goes down, pH rise will slow and the amount of acid to effect the pH change will go down. Just keep doing what you're doing.

 

[Texas Splash]

Here's the TFP Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity page, which as Richard noted you are basically doing. A few other thoughts:
- As Bob noted, some pools simply balance better when their pH is around the 7.6-7.8 range. They seem to have less "bounce" in a certain range.
- Try bringing your TA down to about 100 and see if that helps slow the pH rise. If needed, you can try going lower (80, then 70, etc) in an effort to find that pool "sweet spot".
- Also remember that if you have any forms of aeration (fountains, etc) that could also increase pH.
- As you add water following evaporation, you'll probably increase TA which will later increase pH. So adding acid periodically to control those is normal to some extent.

Enjoy your pool.

 

[suttonjacob]

Thanks for the replies!

My TA tested at closer to 200 about a month ago when I first checked with my TF 100 kit, so it has dropped some. Hopefully I'm getting closer to getting my pH to where I don't have to add acid regularly. The less I can use that, the longer I will live I believe .

I just wanted to find out if adding acid to lower pH should be a regular thing or just an every now and then thing.

 

[Richard320]

Whenever pH hits 7.8 or above, drop it back to 7.2. You'll learn soon enough if that means every 3 days or once a week or whatever.

 

[suttonjacob]

Perfect. Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks again.