Still Struggling With Balancing Water

[mhosborn]

I ran another set of tests this afternoon:

pH = 7.8
FC = 5.5
CC = 0
TC = 5.5
TA = 130
CH = 400
CYA = 60

I added 15 oz. of muriatic acid to bring the pH back down to 7.5. (Will this be an ongoing thing, or will the acid demand decrease over time?).

Looks like the CH is too high, so I plan on back washing longer than normal in a few days to drain some of the water and, hopefully, bring the CH down.

Comments welcome...this site is the best!

 

[duraleigh]

(Will this be an ongoing thing, or will the acid demand decrease over time?)

It will decrease. You will use less and less acid for the next year. Importantly, just use whatever it takes to stay below 8.0pH and you'll be fine.

Your plan to reduce your CH is a good one.......400 is high but acceptable.
That said, keeping your pH below 7.6 or so will be helpful until you get CH down around 250-300. There are many folks on the forum that manage VERY VERY high CH but do just fine because they keep the pH down in the low 7's.

 

[mhosborn]

Thanks Dave....sounds as if my pool is behaving normally, and that I'm on the right track getting/keeping it balanced.

 

[Aquatica]

levels look great. just keep adding acid to drop pH down to 7.2

daily if possible. this will reduce TA and that will make pH behave. I find a TA of 60-70 stabilizes pH in SWG pools. If you are using tablets and no SWG ignore my suggestions...TA of 80-120 is good.

 

[mhosborn]

My pool builder will be installing our Easytouch system next week...probably on Thursday or Friday after the electrician's hooked it up. He says he'll be putting the salt in on Monday or Tuesday to give it time to dissolve before fine-tuning the Easytouch (am changing to an Intellichlor SWG for better interface with the ET system). After it's been changed to a salt pool, I'll start following the SWG suggested levels.

I didn't get a chance to check pH last night (didn't get home from work till late), but did add another 20oz of acid on March 13th at it had climbed up to 7.8. I will check the pH tonite after work and add acid as required.

I plan on backwashing on Saturday, and will let it run for about 5 minutes (vs the normal 3) in order to drain a larger quantity of water..in the hopes of getting the CH level back down to below 400.

 

[Aquatica]

sounds good. watch that back washing. to save money we recommend a cartridge filter like an Hayward Star Clear Plus if possible...depending on pool volume. These are the best filters ...low cost and low maintenance.

Enjoy the salt experience!