Using aeration to raise pH?

[mShark]

I've had PoolMath recommending aeration to raise the pH after lowering TA a couple of times. I don't have a return in the pool I can tap into to make a spray wand like I've seen in some posts. Would a garden hose tapped off the main return line supply enough to water for a spray across the pool? I'm hoping that will work for a while until I can put in another return to feed the spray.

 

[Bperry]

I've had PoolMath recommending aeration to raise the pH after lowering TA a couple of times. I don't have a return in the pool I can tap into to make a spray wand like I've seen in some posts. Would a garden hose tapped off the main return line supply enough to water for a spray across the pool? I'm hoping that will work for a while until I can put in another return to feed the spray.

Whats your TA now? You can just leave it alone and the pH will rise by itself. No need to micromanage the TA unless its below 50ppm.

 

[Texas Splash]

Would a garden hose tapped off the main return line supply enough to water for a spray across the pool?

Sure. Any aeration you can generate will help. But as noted above, it would be ideal to see your TA as well so we know what you're dealing with.

 

[mShark]

My TA is 90, but it was 70 last week and creeping up each reading. I'm a bit worried it won't settle at 90. As far as the aeration question, since I'm in central Texas where we can occasionally grill without a fire next to our pools, the cooling effect later in the summer would be beneficial too. How does cooling not upset pH?

 

[Bperry]

My TA is 90, but it was 70 last week and creeping up each reading. I'm a bit worried it won't settle at 90. As far as the aeration question, since I'm in central Texas where we can occasionally grill without a fire next to our pools, the cooling effect later in the summer would be beneficial too. How does cooling not upset pH?

The TA would be better at 60-70, are you adding stuff to increase it? The higher TA makes the pH rise faster.

 

[mShark]

The only thing that has been going in the pool for the last two weeks is chlorine, a lot of chlorine. I'm lost on why the TA increased. I will be testing the TA again tomorrow.

There is a lot to learn here on TFP and I am doing my best to convert my pool from the mess it always was to a clean and clear refuge.

 

[proavia]

Test your fill water pH, TA and CH. Report the results here.
Adding fill water that has a high TA will cause pool water TA to rise.

 

[mShark]

My TA was at 100 this morning. We did get a good bit of rain which is unusual this time of year for central Texas. I tested the wrong tap for my fill water so I will check that again tonight.

 

[PoolStored]

The "trick" to aeration is:
1) Create LOTS of VERY TINY bubbles.
2) Lower your pH to 7.0 before aerating. CO2 outgassing happens at the fastest rate when pH is between 7.0 and 7.4.

I built one of these and put it on top of a sump pump I put in the pool. I can lower TA by 10 in 12 hours, 30K gallon pool.

Aerator.jpg

• PoolStored
• Sep 11, 2022
• 2

 

[Texas Splash]

I like to keep my TA at 50, maybe 60 at most in the summer. Any higher and my pH tends to climb faster. With the exception of last night's storms, I have to add water quite frequently and that drives the TA up fast.

 

[Texas Splash]

I also don't see anywhere in this thread that you noted your pH. Is it steady? Does it try to shoot up over 7.8 fast? If not, don't lose any sleep over the TA. It will slowly fall when you add acid. But if the pH climbs too fast for your liking, then yes, lower the TA a bit. You may not even need to aerate if the pH climbs quickly on its own.