The husband finally let me take over and I don't want to blow it!!
- Thread starter dakemi
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 24,513
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Walk outside with your firearm on your person and declare that 2nd Amendment rights extend to a pool owners property as well. Then in your best Clint Eastwood drawl, when he reaches for the trichlor puck, declare, "You feelin' lucky, punk? Well are ya? Go ahead, make my day!"
Everyone who comes over my house knows that no one, no one, touches my pool water or adjusts any of the equipment.
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that is really great, I am so happy for you
ok, your TA is 70 so lets see if your ph stays about 7.5/.6 on its own, watch it.. if it goes up to 7.8 take it back down to 7.2 and see if it will stay down.. you are trying to find a "sweet" spot for your TA and PH where it stays under 7.5 or so
Ok, so the pH is up to 7.8. My TA is still low at 60. CH is 625. Somehow my TA went down as the pH went up. Should I add MA to reduce pH to 7.2? (36 oz according to pool math) even tho the TA is at 60?
Haha, yes, they fear me!! (As they should)Walk outside with your firearm on your person and declare that 2nd Amendment rights extend to a pool owners property as well. Then in your best Clint Eastwood drawl, when he reaches for the trichlor puck, declare, "You feelin' lucky, punk? Well are ya? Go ahead, make my day!"
Everyone who comes over my house knows that no one, no one, touches my pool water or adjusts any of the equipment.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"Stand back from the pool. Set that trichlor right back in the vehicle.....yes, that means YOU!" Hahaha
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,028
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
I am going to need some help here, I am not sure... I was hoping your PH would settle at 7.6 or so... is it staying at 7.8 or is it still rising? your pool may just need MA added sometimes...
Anyone else know? Will adding more MA and taking down the PH and also TA below 60, is this fine?
- May 23, 2015
- 24,513
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Yes, it is normal for both TA and pH to drop when you add acid. For the pool size in question (25,500 gallons), for every 64oz of muriatic acid added you will lower the pH by 0.6 units and the TA by 10ppm.
You typically can not sustain such a low pH (7.2) for a very long time with a TA of 60ppm. pH will rise very rapidly from 7.0-7.5 and then much more slowly from 7.6-8.0. pH rise is primarily controlled by CO2 outgassing from the water. All pool water is over saturated with CO2 compared to atmospheric levels and there is more CO2 in the water at lower pH.
This is why I did not think the low pH/Calcium removal process was going to work very well for you. You can't achieve a very low pH for a long period of time without dropping the TA to dangerously low levels. TA lower than 40ppm or so will cause the pH to become very unstable (rapid swings in pH).
So why are you trying to sustain a low pH? If it's because of the calcium scale, you're going to have to rethink your approach.
You typically can not sustain such a low pH (7.2) for a very long time with a TA of 60ppm. pH will rise very rapidly from 7.0-7.5 and then much more slowly from 7.6-8.0. pH rise is primarily controlled by CO2 outgassing from the water. All pool water is over saturated with CO2 compared to atmospheric levels and there is more CO2 in the water at lower pH.
This is why I did not think the low pH/Calcium removal process was going to work very well for you. You can't achieve a very low pH for a long period of time without dropping the TA to dangerously low levels. TA lower than 40ppm or so will cause the pH to become very unstable (rapid swings in pH).
So why are you trying to sustain a low pH? If it's because of the calcium scale, you're going to have to rethink your approach.
LOL, I have been following your thread and you've done a great job and it's been entertaining to say the least.
I purpose that TFP form a ninja crew to parachute in to pools like yours for backup. "Put down the store bought chemicals and slowly back away from the pool sir, and no one gets hurt" :grrrr:
I purpose that TFP form a ninja crew to parachute in to pools like yours for backup. "Put down the store bought chemicals and slowly back away from the pool sir, and no one gets hurt" :grrrr:
yuuup, could come down to that! ( wish I had my iPad, iPhone does not Let me insert TFP emojis)
The pH seems to steadily rise, but slowly. It's stayed at 7.6 for two days now its at 7.8 for two days.
I read in pool school under solving problems/calcium scaling that keeping a lower pH could help preventing further scale. I'm waiting for a gadget that may help remove the scale and thought keeping a lower pH might help the overall environment which might in turn help when I use the stain removal gadget. Wrong thinking?
Your thinking is correct as far as I can tell. You just have a unique, somewhat contradictory set of needs at this time. In my case I've decided to give up and live with the tan pool walls and floor and steps and well you get the gist. I know what's causing them and will fix it this colder season.
In your case, I'm just not sure what more can be done. Bet someone will be along with an idea or two.
In your case, I'm just not sure what more can be done. Bet someone will be along with an idea or two.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,513
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Your thinking about it right, it's just the scale (ha ha no pun intended) of your problem is such that lowering your pH and maintaining it that low is going to be a royal pain in the patootie. Not only is it going to take a lot of frequent, large volume acid additions to keep your pH low but you are also going to have to monitor your TA closely and keep the baking soda on hand for adjustments. What seems like "fun chemistry" right now is quickly going to become tedious and annoying. And that's not how a pool should be.
Target your pH for 7.6 and don't bother going much lower. Wait until your acid scrubby tool arrives and give that a shot first. At least that's my opinion.
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Target your pH for 7.6 and don't bother going much lower. Wait until your acid scrubby tool arrives and give that a shot first. At least that's my opinion.
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Yup, that sounds like a plan. I think I read that my whole problem is exaccerbated by the climate here. High CH to begin with + high pH water from the spout + high evaporation and arid conditions = conditions perfect for calcium scale.
I'll just wait for my scrubby tool..............
- Jun 12, 2011
- 3,769
- Pool Size
- 19500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pureline Crystal Pure 60,000
The nice thing about your plan is the scrubby tool will allow you to pick one area to concentrate on and find out if your problem is, in fact, scale.
From one wife who took over pool management to another, you rock! I banned pool store advice & chemicals and have had a clear pool ever since (recent algae issue aside). I've also now become the pool maven of the neighborhood helping the local men walk away, slowly, from the local pool store. This isn't just YOUR pool, it's a revolution! Lead on woman! ;-)
-Backyardchemist
-Backyardchemist
Dakemi, I hope you save this whole saga somewhere safe to you can look back at it anytime you're feeling unsure or sad and say "I can do anything!"
Thank you thank you for the great encouragement. It sure is empowering....(poor TH)
Now, the only thing I want to know now is......
WHERE'S MY SCRUBBIE TOOL!!!!????
Now, the only thing I want to know now is......
WHERE'S MY SCRUBBIE TOOL!!!!????
