Trying to adjust ph so I can SLAM

[Lora Karabatsos]

I am trying to get my ph to proper levels before slamming. When I did my first test and put into the pool math app my ph was 6 and TA 80. It advised me to put in 380 oz or 24 lbs of soda ash/washing soda. that is what I did and boy it is really messed up now. Now my ph is way above 8 which is the highest reading on the test kit and the TA was 170. I have added Muriatic Acid and the TA came down to 150. Since I can't get an accurate ph reading I'm using a reading of 9 but I think it is much higher because the test water is hot pink. I really don't know how much acid to put in. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Lora

 

[aussieta]

hi lora
what test kit are you using
that was way too much soda ash
380oz will have raised ph by 3.4ppm
more like 120oz was needed
dont use a guess of 9
use 8 and adjust to 7.2
run pump for 1 hour retest and repeat if required
the ta will slowly come down on its own if you keep the ph in the low 7's
good luck with the slam

 

[Lora Karabatsos]

I'm using the test kit recommended by TFP when I first started a couple of years ago. That is the amount the pool math app gave me so I followed it. I even double checked to make sure that was the info it gave me and it is. So how much acid should I use? With my ph set at 8 as you suggested and TA at 150 it is telling me to add 2qts 3cups of 29% acid. What I actually have is Kem-Tek 31.45%. I have added 3 qts three times and the ph isn't budging. What amount would you suggest?

 

[aussieta]

to go from ph 8 to 7.2
i am coming up with around 12 cups , 3 quarts
so i would add 2 quarts run pump for 1 hour and repeat test
edit- 9 quarts should have put you back where you started
run pump for 1 hour and retest

 

[Lora Karabatsos]

I thought it would have too. This is the worse time I've had with this. I have definitely never seen my test water turn hot pink so I'm thinking my ph is way above 8. I will start with 2 quarts and retest in an hour and I guess continue to adjust as changes occur until I get it right. Will all of this acid not damage anything about the pool?

I appreciate your help!

 

[aussieta]

take a deep breath
make a cup of tea/cofee
check you are using the correct reagent R0014 and filling tube almost to top on red side tube
nothing horrendous can happen in a short time with pump running
if you used dry acid and it settled on the floor, a different story

 

[AimeeH]

Hi Lori, I'm just going to add that MA will mix very quickly once added and brushed around with the pump running you should be able to retest after 15-30 minutes.

Also, with TA that high, the best way to have brought up PH would be to aerate. Any chemical adjustment to adjust PH will also adjust TA.

Like aussieta said, take a deep breath you'll get this

 

[borjis]

a good case study for only adding half of what is recommended at a time, then test to make sure you don't over shoot.

 

[Lora Karabatsos]

I got the PH where it needed to be yesterday late afternoon. I have officially started the SLAM process yesterday. Wish me luck. And yes, this was a good lesson in starting with less than recommended. Thank you so much for all your input. You folks are great!!

 

[Texas Splash]

Go get 'em!

 

[aussieta]

excellent
dont forget to take a photo same time each day
looking down the steps gives you a depth comparison
then after a few days you will remember where you started and give you some needed encouragement