Pool was perfect until the pH raised to 8.2

[pypeke]

My pool was perfect until my toddler grandson swam in it, so I know what he did in my pool on Saturday!

Thursday, my pH was at 8.2 so I can't swim in it until it goes lower.

Since the pool is in direct sunlight from sunrise to about 5:00 p.m. and half the pool is shaded after 5:00 p.m., I thought I would raise the CYA to 50 or 60. Water was cold on Saturday, but is now a lot warmer.

1. Since adding stabilizer lowers pH, does that mean I have to wait a week for the CYA test to test accurately? Does the pH lower every day, or do I need to wait a week before swimming? Pump runs 24/7.

2. I used the pool math calculator and put in the required amount of Muratic Acid Thursday morning, but today, 24 hours later, the pH is still at 8.2. How long should it take to lower the pH? Pump runs 24/7. pH seems to be the only problem. Is urine responsible for raising the pH? It was 7.8 on last Saturday.

3. I know my Phenol Red is from last year, so I will be ordering new today. If the chemical is old, which way would the pH test be skewed? Would it show higher or lower on the pH chart? Could it be a false high pH? Or would it more likely show a false low pH?

4. Is there any reason to order a new yellow lid bottle of chemical to do the chlorine test? I usually do FC test instead. Any reason to do both?

TA = 80
CYA = 35 (might change it to 50 or 60)
pH = 8.2 (at least the color matches the container's chart. Not sure how high it really is)
FC = 9 this morning (I added chlorine last night based on pool math, but I forgot to test again a couple of hours after adding it. Will do OCLT tonight.)
CC = 0

thanks for any advice.

 

[Mr Bruce]

1. CYA lowers pH, but not all that much. You should be able to test CYA the day after it is all dissolved. I'm not sure I follow:

Does the pH lower every day, or do I need to wait a week before swimming?

but pH lowers if you add an acid. There is no reason to wait a week to swim. You don't need to run the pump 24/7 either, only enough to keep your water mixed, pool skimmed and just before testing and after adding chemicals.

2. It could be higher than 8.2. Add with the pump running, retest in 30 minutes. Repeat.

3. I have had old pH phenol red drops test low, but there's no reason to try to extrapolate or try to guess. Chems need to be replaced once a year.

4. I use mine as a "Is there chlorine yes or no" like at the beginning of the season and toward the end when it gets cooler. If you order a refill kit every year it will come with one. I don't see a test kit in your signature though?

 

[pypeke]

Sorry! I did not explain that well. I meant...when I add stabilizer, does it take a week to get an accurate reading? Will it also take a week to lower the pH? If it doesn't lower pH that much, then I should not rely on stabilizer and just use Muratic Acid.

I wondered if the pH color would just get darker than the color chart on the plastic. So it could be more than 8.2, but be the same color as 8.2?

30 minutes after adding MA with the pump on I can retest. Thanks!

I only run the pump 24 hours after adding chemicals. Don't know why I added the /7. I know I can run it less, but I have a variable speed which I run either 1500 or 2000 rpm for 24 hours after adding chemicals.

phenol red...I am ordering, but it will take a few days to get here. I just thought if the pH was showing a false high that I could go ahead and swim.

I did forget to add the test kit and my pool cover to my signature, so I can fix that. I use all the kits and chemicals that have been suggested here, but I only refill certain chemicals that I use most often.

thanks for the info.

 

[pypeke]

From Taylor website:

[h=1]Recognizing A Compromised Reagent[/h][FONT=&quot]A reagent's suitability for testing is suspect if it is over one year old. Considering the active ingredients need to be just that, active, then any reduction in a reagent’s concentration or effectiveness will compromise test results. How can you tell if the concentration or effectiveness is not what it should be? If the reagent is not the color you are used to seeing (or has changed color over time), if you see floating particles in it that do not dissolve when shaken, if it has begun to stain its container, or if it has crusted around the tip of the dropper bottle. These items indicate the active ingredient has been affected.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Here are some clues that indicate these specific reagents should be discarded:[/FONT]

Reagent	Indication
Any liquid that has frozen	A liquid reagent still may be effective after freezing. Allow it to thaw at room temperature—do not microwave or heat in a warm bath. If the bottle cracks, if you see a crusty buildup around the dropper tip, or if there are floating particles that do not dissolve when the bottle is shaken, replace the reagent.
R-0002 DPD Reagent #2	This solution should be colorless to be effective. As it reacts with oxidizers, the color will vary, ranging from colorless to pink then darkening to a final brown.
R-0003 DPD Reagent #3	This solution should be colorless. As it degrades, the color will become increasingly yellow.
R-0004 pH Indicator (Phenol Red)	As it degrades, the solution changes from its original red color to a yellow or purple.
R-0008 Total Alkalinity Indicator	This solution should be a dark green color. When it begins to stain the milky-colored plastic bottle, differences in initial test and endpoint colors also will be observed.
R-0011L Calcium Hardness Indicator	This solution should be a deep blue color. If any other color, replace.
R-0718 Silver Nitrate Reagent	This solution should be colorless. There are no easily observable indications. We recommend you discard and replace on an annual basis. Note: R-0718 will stain skin.
R-0871/R-8072 FAS-DPD Titrating Reagent (for chlorine/bromine)	This solution should be colorless. As it degrades, the color will become increasingly yellow.

[FONT=&quot]Our customer service representatives can assist you in determining whether a reagent should be replaced.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Taylor formulates its reagents to remain effective for at least one year, with only very few exceptions. As a general precaution, replace all reagents more than one year old, or at the beginning of a new testing season.[/FONT]