Total alkalinity

[jaygrovr]

Hi guys, I have a pool that is relatively new, about 1.75 years old now. Its fully automated and has hayward sense and dispense running to inject acid and chlorine, and aside from issues with that system, I am having very low TA. Its frequently at 3 drops on the test kit, which I think is 30 ppm? I think its supposed to be between 60 and 120? I frequently add baking soda, and this quickly raises PH. Then I put in extra acid to help the system stabilize. It seems to only go to 50 or 60 for short time, and then quickly drops back down. I feel like this is a losing battle. I buy the big bags of baking soda from home depot, is that the issue? Should I buy pool grade TA increaser? The jug of powder just looks like sodium bicarbonate, which I thought was baking soda.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
J

 

[PoolStored]

Your TA should be between 60-80.

The issue is that your sense and dispense is forcing pH down, which also lowers TA. It is forcing it down because it has some lower value for the pH setting.

With a TA of 60-80, pH should be pretty stable around 7.8, - 8.0, which should be fine.

I would change your pH setting to 7.8 or 7.9. I would also raise your TA to 60 with baking soda.

Try that and see what happens.

https://hayward.com/media/akeneo_connector/asset_files/0/9/092537_RevD_61ad.pdf

 

[mknauss]

The fill water in Vegas has a TA of 130 ppm. Current use of fill water is very high due to evaporation.

Those automated dosing systems never seem to work very well.

 

[jaygrovr]

Yes ok wow.. that makes pretty good sense. Is 7.8 or 7.9 ok for my hayward heater and such?

Do you recommend just installing a salt to chlorine generator and consuming the salt which would save me from buying gallons of chlorine? What are the real pros and cons of a saltwater pool? I am guessing my pool is already high in salt since I can taste it easily. I am getting a salt ppm tester, so that should tell me.

Looking for guidance here.

Thanks
J

 

[PoolStored]

Yes ok wow.. that makes pretty good sense. Is 7.8 or 7.9 ok for my hayward heater and such?

Yep.

Do you recommend just installing a salt to chlorine generator and consuming the salt which would save me from buying gallons of chlorine?

Sure, beats lugging jugs. It doesn't consume salt it converts salt, after the HOCl sanitizes it converts back to salt. Only way you lose salt is by taking water out of the pool.

What are the real pros and cons of a saltwater pool? I am guessing my pool is already high in salt since I can taste it easily. I am getting a salt ppm tester, so that should tell me.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[proavia]

Post a full set of current test results from one of the recommended test kits.
Test Kits Compared

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water Temperature

Also test and post results of your fill water - pH, TA and CH only.

 

[jaygrovr]

ok i ordered the test kit. I have another question that may not be related to this forum, about SWG. Can they be mounted vertically? I only have a section of pipe that is vertical that would be ideal. I dont see anything in the hayward manual about not doing this.
Thanks
J

 

[ajw22]

I have another question that may not be related to this forum, about SWG. Can they be mounted vertically?

Yes.