chem geek said:
If you are using bromine tablets, then these may be acidic for the same reason that chlorine usage/consumption is acidic. If you were to get most of your bromine from reactivation of bromide to bromine by shocking with an oxidizer such as chlorine or non-chlorine shock or an ozonator, then the pH would theoretically be more stable.
With net acidity, the pH and TA would go down, but with aeration the pH would go up so the net result would be seeing the pH stable or rising while the TA would be dropping slowly over time.
Yesterday, I got tied up and totally ignored the spa. The night before yesterday, I stopped struggling and left spa with the TA=10 and pH=6.8, after spending that day battling with wide swings in pH and very low TA. That day I, also, added more borax with a goal at 60 ppm.
Today, just now, things are looking better. (remember I haven't touched it for about 36 hours) (cork still in air feed to return)(only circulation going{tiny amt bubbles} with ozonator{normal amt. bubbles})
Br = 4
pH = 7.2
TA = 10
CH = 250
Borate = 50
Temp = 99
CSI = -1.23 (fiberglass spa)
Pool Cal calls for 6.5 oz baking soda with goal 60 ppm. I'm adding in 2 oz increments with jets running but no venturi, top closed. It's been a few days since I put the bromine float in. (BTW... the problem with low pH was not so much low pH, in mornings before any fiddling it was because the pH was off the scale
UP.) So I'm thinking, if I continue to have these pH UP issues, using the feeder some won't be an issue as far as adding to the raise in pH.
The major problem was very wide swing in pH, while trying to up the TA. pH would go way off the scale
UP and then I would have to use MA to bring pH down, then TA would start
rapidly falling.
I'm adding the baking soda every 30 minutes, but testing pH between additions.
I think there are two major factors...........
One was way too much aeration from return, and too much aeration while jets running with venturi while adding MA.
Two making adjustments too rapidly even though a huge amount of water is being circulated and mixed.
I'm taking it more slowly today. Will report later. BCHWB, I surely hope the ladies are having a grand time. :-D
gg=alice