Tested my two fill water options with Taylor K-2006-SALT - thoughts?

[haroldo]

pH side doesn't matter. We are trying to lower TA. So in 24 hours I can lower a TA of 120 to 100.
May take a few pH cycles to get there.

thanks, but still doesn't make sense, why are we aerating the pool to lower TA instead of just adding MA to it? Lowering TA is doable with MA, right? the problem is that pH will also lower, and cannot be raised without also raising TA, and that's why we aerate, to raise pH without raising TA along with it, correct?

 

[PoolStored]

You are correct.

We lower pH to 7.2 or so with acid, that will also lower TA, but likely not by 10, but something smaller. Aerate. When pH rises to 7.5, lower it again to 7.2, which will also lower TA a bit. It may take several cycles of lowering TA by 10.

Using 30K pool, If your pH is 7.9 to start, that first addition might get TA to drop by 10, but when pH rises to 7.5, the addition of acid to get to 7.2 will only lower TA by 5. The reason we use the cycle from 7.2 to 7.5 or so is because CO2 outgasses the fastest when pH is low.

I just measure in how long it takes to lower it by 10. I don't count the pH cycles, or how long it takes for the pH to rise.

I can lower TA by 10 in 12 hours. May take a few cycles. The 10 in two hours, include pH back to normal levels.

 

[haroldo]

You are correct.

We lower pH to 7.2 or so with acid, that will also lower TA, but likely not by 10, but something smaller. Aerate. When pH rises to 7.5, lower it again to 7.2, which will also lower TA a bit. It may take several cycles of lowering TA by 10.

Using 30K pool, If your pH is 7.9 to start, that first addition might get TA to drop by 10, but when pH rises to 7.5, the addition of acid to get to 7.2 will only lower TA by 5. The reason we use the cycle from 7.2 to 7.5 or so is because CO2 outgasses the fastest when pH is low.

I just measure in how long it takes to lower it by 10. I don't count the pH cycles, or how long it takes for the pH to rise.

I can lower TA by 10 in 12 hours. May take a few cycles. The 10 in two hours, include pH back to normal levels.

I see, makes sense! thank you

So, if I am starting with TA of 260, I will be fighting this thing for daaaaaaays to get it down in the 100s, right? holy Crud
I assume this will only be an issue after the first time I fill the pool, as subsequent fill top offs will only increase it by a bit.

 

[PoolStored]

Correct, but if you have high evap, you will be needing to add acid.

 

[PoolStored]

In MY pool, with MY aerator, it probably takes 6 hours to raise pH from 7.0 to 7.4.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

This is the battle I mentioned earlier. With evaporation you'll be adding more high TA fillwater. Don't beat yourself up trying to drop the TA. If your TA is high after filling the pool, use the more aggressive method of aeration, then run the spillover on your spa daily and add acid as necessary to lower pH. The acid will pull down your TA at the same time.

Your TA will likely always be on the high side. That's not a death sentence. It means your pH will rise more quickly and your water will have more tendency to scale. You can offset that by keeping pH and CH levels on the low side. Take a look at the article below. You'll want to try to maintain CSI at a slightly negative level. Use your softener to maintain CH at 250 ppm.

Calcium Saturation Index (CSI)

How is CSI calculated? Very simple – use our PoolMath tool. To ensure long plaster life and save money, click here to learn more.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[haroldo]

In MY pool, with MY aerator, it probably takes 6 hours to raise pH from 7.0 to 7.4.

I see you areator in the pic in your article. Can you share what's int here? is it connected to a sump pump in the bottom? I see a pipe coming out on the top under the sand bag or whatever that is. I would like to build something similar if I can

 

[PoolStored]

Just a sump in a bucket. 1/4 inch holes in the caps. Pipe on deck with shot bag to hold in place.