Targets for TA, CH

[wjthomas42]

I have been maintaining my pool myself for 3 months. I test the FC, CC and pH 2-3 times per week and other tests once every 2-3 weeks.


Oct 7
FC 2.5
CC really light pink
pH 8
TA 60
CH 250
CYA 65 (measures Sept 12th)

I add bleach and muriatic acid based on pool math

1) The pH regularly returns a 8 then I add the muriatic acid (31.45%) based on the pool math and then a 3-4 days later it is back to 8. In the 2 months I have been maintaining the pool it has been at 8 almost all the time and was 7 once.
2) The pool math shows a range of target for TA and CH. What should I target?

 

[pooldv]

Letting TA drop to 50 will help to eliminate pH rise. Continuing to add acid to lower PH will also lower TA. CH at 250 is fine.

 

[wjthomas42]

What do others think? I had a friend say to increase TA

 

[pooldv]

Higher TA will cause your pH to rise faster, not slower.

There are a few things that cause pH to rise,
Higher TA
New plaster, less than a year old
Saltwater chlorine generator
Aeration, like waterfalls, bubblers, etc

Ways to offset pH rise are
Adding borates
Lowering TA
Not running water features that aerate the water

 

[oldguy70]

What do others think? I had a friend say to increase TA

what pooldv said

 

[wjthomas42]

Thanks so much. What should I target for CH?

 

[pooldv]

CH at 250 is great.

More here, Pool School - Recommended Levels