Unstable PH level

[JoannaB]

Hi all,
I have reviewed other threads on this topic and I've tried everything suggested but my PH still drifts high only a day or 2 after lowering it w/muriatic acid.
My pool Ph is almost always 8.1 or higher. I've added borates to help stabilize but no effect. Lower TA, no effect. My pool is only on for 6 hours a day and no water features, so aeration not the problem (i don't think!). Just to make sure my testers were still good I took a sample to the pool store and got the same readings. They also said my TDS is high at 3200 and I have high phosphates, whatever that means. My pool water is clear and sparkling.

PH: 8.1
TA: 60
Calcium: 320
CYA: 40
Borate: 30
FC: Currently 2.5. I wanted to get a fresh PH reading before I added chlorine.
CC: 0
I don't use algaecide.

 

[Texas Splash]

No new plaster work correct?

By the way, go ahead and increase the FC right away with liquid chlorine. As long as the FC is below 10 it won't effect the pH test.

 

[JoannaB]

No new plaster work.

 

[Texas Splash]

Well, it's a bit unusual to see such a high pH with a relatively low TA. You could let the TA fall down to 50, but I wouldn't go any lower than that.

Have you ever tested your fill water? I'd be curious to know what the pH and TA of your fill water is.

By the way, your signature shows a Taylor test kit, but not which model. Can you confirm? Also, is it new form this season? I'm curious because in your first post you said "Just to make sure my testers were still good", so it seems like you may be using more than one product to test the pH?

 

[jark87]

My experience isn’t all that different. pH rises every couple of days during the summer - much more slowly during the winter, probably because the SWCG runs at a very low rate or is off completely. Lowering TA has helped, but only delays the inevitable by a day or 2. Borates did nothing for the pH rise. I’ve just chalked it up to the SWCG, even though some people will say it doesn’t impact pH. I’ve never had a pool without one, so I don’t have a point of comparison, but have just learned to live with pH rise.

 

[JoannaB]

Well, it's a bit unusual to see such a high pH with a relatively low TA. You could let the TA fall down to 50, but I wouldn't go any lower than that.

Have you ever tested your fill water? I'd be curious to know what the pH and TA of your fill water is.

By the way, your signature shows a Taylor test kit, but not which model. Can you confirm? Also, is it new form this season? I'm curious because in your first post you said "Just to make sure my testers were still good", so it seems like you may be using more than one product to test the pH?

It's a K-2006. I'm only using the red stuff to test PH .
I just tested the fill water. For PH, the water turns a bright orange (rather than bright pink like my pool water) . It doesn't match anything on the color scale, but looks like it could be between 7.6 and 7.8. TA is 30.

 

[Texas Splash]

Another silly question, you are using the correct reagent correct?

 

[JoannaB]

Another silly question, you are using the correct reagent correct?

yes. PH Indicator solution (phenol red)

 

[pjt]

TA: 60

For the TA test, are you continuing to add drops until there's no further color change?

I took a sample to the pool store

Stay out of the pool store.

PH Indicator solution (phenol red)

R-0014 or R-0004?

 

[Texas Splash]

JB, my apologies for so many questions. I thought of this one after I posted the other. Can you confirm the correct phenol red as indicated below.

1. Add 5 drops of R-0014 when using the smaller 6 ml square test cell or 5 drops of R-0004 when using the larger 44 ml round test cell.

 

[JoannaB]

JB, my apologies for so many questions. I thought of this one after I posted the other. Can you confirm the correct phenol red as indicated below.

1. Add 5 drops of R-0014 when using the smaller 6 ml square test cell or 5 drops of R-0004 when using the larger 44 ml round test cell.

 

[JoannaB]

I'm using 5 drops of the R-0004 in the larger 44 ml round test cell.
Re TA test, Once the color changes to red, I stop adding drops. This is the instruction on the test kit.

 

[pjt]

Once the color changes to red, I stop adding drops.

Keep adding drops until there's no additional color change.

Extended Test Kit Directions Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

Perhaps next time you do the pH test, post a pic of the OTO viewer so we can see the colors?

 

[JoannaB]

Followed your suggestions above. It took 3 total drops after the initial color change before it stopped changing. Here's a photo of my PH results.

 

[pjt]

It took 3 total drops after the initial color change before it stopped changing.

So what is your TA?

Here's a photo of my PH results.

A consistent background is key. To get good backlighting, hold the block in front of your computer monitor/tablet/phone with a blank white screen displayed. Also, try holding the block sideways or upside down. Sometimes that helps distinguish colors better. I also use two old hotel keycards to mask off areas and narrow down my decision.

 

[JoannaB]

If I subtract the last drop added after the color stopped changing, as per instructions, the new TA would be 80.
Here is a photo against a white computer screen.