TA at zero?

[yesjenks]

Hello,

I just received my tf-100 kit and testing my water for the first time this season. TA wouldn’t even register at 0.After adding the r008 the water was red and wouldn’t turn green.
My ph has been low 6.5ish, so I expected my alk to be off, but not at zero.

is this possible? Should I add 15 lbs of baking soda, let it sit for a few hours and retest?

 

[mknauss]

It is possible. You have been using trichlor pucks/tablets, right? The low pH is destroying your liner.

I would suggest you add 5 lbs of Soda ash aka Washing Soda (Twenty Mule team), NOT the laundry detergent.

Let that circulate for 30 minutes to an hour, brush well. Test pH and TA. Once either the pH is in the 7's OR the TA is above 50 ppm, then post here and we can guide you to dial it in.

 

[yesjenks]

Ok, borax. Right? Thanks! Gonna go grab some now. Should I pick anything else up that I’ll need later?

 

[mknauss]

NO -- soda ash. Washing Soda. Sodium Carbonate.

 

[mknauss]

Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda Detergent Booster & Household Cleaner,

Sorry -- not Twenty Mule Team -- I get them mixed up!!!

 

[yesjenks]

Ok, thanks!

 

[yesjenks]

Added. Waited a bit (half hour to hour) retested and no change. Ph is still way low. Like super orange almost hello and no trace of alk.

what should I do next?

 

[mknauss]

Did you brush really well?

If after brushing and a bit more time still no change, add another 5 lbs. After that we will switch to baking soda and borax, if necessary.

 

[yesjenks]

Brushed really well and just added another box. Will rest in an hour and post results.

 

[mknauss]

Can you post your most recent full set of test results?

 

[yesjenks]

Should I test anything but alk and PH?

 

[mknauss]

I was looking for FC and CYA.

 

[yesjenks]

Cya 110
Fc 7
Ph 6.5-6.8ish
Alk 30

 

[yesjenks]

I’m out of soda ash. I have one box of borax and 10 lbs baking soda.

 

[crusemm]

Holy cow, CYA 110? FC/CYA Levels says your minimum FC needs to be somewhere above 8 ppm

 

[mknauss]

With a CYA of 110 (did you do the dilute method test for that?), you need to drain and refill at least 50% of your pool volume. No need to waste more chemicals until that is done.

 

[yesjenks]

I do not want to do that again. I have a vinyl liner which means I have to do the tarp method.

id rather spend more in chemicals than drain the pool.

 

[crusemm]

So, then your choice is to do a water exchange. fill with clean water and drain off your pool water. This takes a lot longer and will use a lot more water. With a vinyl pool, as long as you leave some in the bottom, you should be able to drain and fill fairly easily.