Ph creeping up

[Farmerswife96]

Hello all,
My ph has been holding steady all season between 7.2 and 7.8 with my alkalinity being around 70. I haven't had to use MA hardly at all even with parties and summer storms. I fought high ph levels in previous years but found my pool prefers the 70 alkalinity level. However, when I checked it this morning, it was 8.2 and the alkalinity dropped to 60. The only change I've made is I changed chlorine brands. I use calcium hypo because it's just easier for me and the only source I could find locally this year. I started off with 78% cal hypo then picked up a cheaper bucket of 65% cal hypo. This cheaper stuff leaves ALOT of sediment that I either brush or have to vacuum. Idk if the chlorine is the problem or ph was just slowly rising on its own. Should I add some MA, increase the TA or ? Also, I will be doing an OCLT in the morning because of the low chlorine level. I put chlorine in last night. I've been adding chlorine every other day.
Here are all of my results from this morning.
Ph 8.2
TA 60
CYA 40
FC 2.5(can the sun deplete it that quick?)

 

[Texas Splash]

No doubt the pH needs to come down to at least 7.8. Don't let the TA fall below 50, if it does you'll want to increase that a bit as well. The cal-hypo should have no bearing on the TA, so that may just be a coincidence. Good idea to run an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test since the FC fell. Hopefully you'll be able to find a liquid chlorine source soon.

 

[Farmerswife96]

I really would like to bump the TA back up to 70. Should I add some baking soda and then lower the ph with MA? I'm scared if I just add the MA, the TA will get too low.

 

[Farmerswife96]

Okay so I performed an OCLT and last night was 5 and this morning 3.5 so maybe I'm fighting something? Went ahead with MA and ph is 7.2 this morning. Going to get some baking soda today to increase the TA. Then adjust ph if needed. No time to do a SLAM because its garden season and my daughter is coming home from Afghanistan Saturday and I'm getting ready for her
So what should I do in the meantime until I can do a SLAM? Keep normal levels on everything?

 

[Texas Splash]

So what should I do in the meantime until I can do a SLAM?

Even with just two days, I would elevate the FC to 16 (your SLAM level based on CYA of 40) and do your best to keep it there day & night (minus sleeping of course) until Saturday. If/when times permits, brush the entire pool so the elevated chlorine can do its job. There are other details about the SLAM Process you can look at when time permits, but I wouldn't ignore the water totally or you'll have a green mess soon. Your pH is 7.2, so you're good to go.

My son is in Alaska (Army), and I'm retired A/F, we understand.

 

[Farmerswife96]

Can I start the SLAM now during the day? Does weather matter during the process? Calling for storms here today and tonight.

 

[Texas Splash]

Can I start the SLAM now during the day?

Absolutely! Weather doesn't matter.

 

[Texas Splash]

 

[Farmerswife96]

Started SLAM, keeping it at 16. Storming now. I'm using the Cal hypo because that's all I have at the moment. I'm beginning to think the gray dust residue stuff that settled might be dead algae and I probably had a problem with it for a couple weeks and didn't realize it. There's a lot in there now! I noticed when I vacuum it, the filter doesn't catch it all because I see whitish water coming out of the jets. I thought it was chlorine that was settled now not so sure!

 

[Texas Splash]

That probably is dead algae. As long as it's dead you can always get it out as time permits after the stormy weather. Cal-Hypo is okay for now, but it's not as good a liquid chlorine/regular bleach, but do what you can for now. Whatever you can't vacuum, just try and sweep to encourage it into the skimmer and that will do fine. When your filter pressure increases by 25% from the clean/starting pressure, it's time to backwash. Good luck!