Raising pH and TA ASAP

[jmc13]

I accidentally added too much muriatic to my pool. I usually have high pH from aeration and miscalculated and added 1 gallon of muriatic acid lowering my TA to 25, and pH to 4.5.

The pool math calculator gets a pH error with the pH that low and tells me to put in huge quantities of borax (75 pounds) or soda ash (38 pounds). If I change the pH to went out and bought both, but which one do I use, and how much? I'm assuming this should be done in a few batches.

I have a 15,000 gallon pool with a waterfall and spa spillover so I thought to get TA up, and pH to more normal levels then naturally aerate.

 

[ajw22]

How did you measure your TA and pH of 25 and 4.5?

Your TA is probably 0.

If a lot of acid is added the TA test can be 0 or negative. When the TA test is immediately red, the TA is 0 or negative.

To determine the actual negative TA and how much the TA needs to be raised use R-0006 base demand to add drops until the red turns to green and then multiply the number of drops used by 3.6 to see how negative the TA is. That gives you a rough idea of how negative the TA is.

You can also use R-0010 Calcium Buffer to titrate and the multiplier is 33 ppm per drop.

@mknauss is helpful in these situations.

 

[ajw22]

Start adding baking soda. 30 ppm TA worth at a time until your TA tests above 70 ppm.

Then you can see what your pH is and adjust that.

 

[jmc13]

How did you measure your TA and pH of 25 and 4.5?

Your TA is probably 0.

If a lot of acid is added the TA test can be 0 or negative. When the TA test is immediately red, the TA is 0 or negative.

To determine the actual negative TA and how much the TA needs to be raised use R-0006 base demand to add drops until the red turns to green and then multiply the number of drops used by 3.6 to see how negative the TA is. That gives you a rough idea of how negative the TA is.

You can also use R-0010 Calcium Buffer to titrate and the multiplier is 33 ppm per drop.

@mknauss is helpful in these situations.

I work at an analytical chemistry lab. Our lab probe pH meter told me it was that low. I assumed it was close to 0 for the TA as the titration method for alkalinity goes non detect at 4.2 pH.

 

[ajw22]

I work at an analytical chemistry lab. Our lab probe pH meter told me it was that low. I assumed it was close to 0 for the TA as the titration method for alkalinity goes non detect at 4.2 pH.

Add baking soda, 30 ppm TA worth at a time, until your TA tests above 70 ppm. Then, test and adjust your pH.