TA and CH levels

[pb4uswim]

Did a full set of tests today and the TA and CH were very low. The CH has always been low but I didn’t care given that I have a fiberglass pool. My TA is low now too. Last year is was around 100 but this year it’s 50. Seems like I should increase the TA but also wondering about the CH. In TFP fashion, I don’t want to put in anything more than what’s needed but if there’s any benefit to raising the calcium, I’d have no problem doing so. I’ve been working on the CYA, which is fine now so looking to determine next steps. Basically looking for suggestions based on my latest test results. Thanks.

FC 10
PH 7.2
TA 50
CH 50
CYA 70
SALT 3000
TEMP 80
CSI -1.70

 

[jgofnj]

I have heard different opinions about CH levels if you have a vinyl or fiberglass pool but have read on this board if you have a heater (which you do) your CH levels should be at 200.

 

[PoolStored]

PB4!! Go Blue!

Everything is fine. Don't know how your pH got to 7.2, your logs show no chemical additions.

Leave everything alone. Your pH should rise naturally. When pH gets to 8.0, only reduce it to 7.8, no lower.

CH is fine for Vinyl. If you find any foaming, raise it SLOWLY to 120-150 until the foaming stops.

Swim on!!!

 

[pb4uswim]

PB4!! Go Blue!

Everything is fine. Don't know how your pH got to 7.2, your logs show no chemical additions.

Leave everything alone. Your pH should rise naturally. When pH gets to 8.0, only reduce it to 7.8, no lower.

CH is fine for Vinyl. If you find any foaming, raise it SLOWLY to 120-150 until the foaming stops.

Swim on!!!

Sorry, I didn't log the addition of CYA. I added about 5 pounds of CYA to get my CYA up from very low (barely registering so say 20-30) up to 70.

jgofnj makes a point of the effect on the heater by having a low CH. I looked at my heater manual and it says minimum is 200. No worries?

I also understand that TA buffers PH. Plus, the heater manual (again), said TA should be minimum of 80. Nothing to be concerned about with the TA?

Again, I'm good with that. I know TFP goes a bit against the published industry information, I just want to have a double check before moving on.

Thanks.

 

[PoolStored]

Put 200ppm of CH for the heater...TA of 80 is just fine if you like.

 

[pb4uswim]

Put 200ppm of CH for the heater...TA of 80 is just fine if you like.

After more reading, I think I’m just going to focus on moving my PH up. I have laminars, so I’ll turn them on and get my PH up closer to 7.5 or greater.

 

[PoolStored]

That would help!

 

[pjt]

Nothing to be concerned about with the TA?

No. TA of 50 is perfectly fine. I wouldn't add any baking soda. You'll have pH stability in the high 7s, which is also perfectly fine. If you added baking soda, you'd eventually need to add MA to counteract the pH rise, eventually bringing you right back to where you are now. Avoid getting on that seesaw.

For the TA test, are you continuing to add drops until there's no further color change?

 

[pb4uswim]

For the TA test, are you continuing to add drops until there's no further color change?

Yes.