Vacation - pucks and low pH

[arl0726]

I am planning to be away for a week. SWG is not installed at the moment, so I have been using liquid chlorine. The system has an inline chlorinator, so I plan to use 4 or 5 pucks at a low setting during the time I am away. Pool pH is low, however. Around 7.0. I am aware that the trichlor pucks can bring pH lower. I have soda ash - should I use it to bring pH higher ahead of this trip? Or am I over-thinking for only one week? Upon return, the SWG will be reinstalled and that will bring pH up itself over the summer.

CYA 60
TA 50
pH 7.0

 

[Texas Splash]

How soon are you leaving? I would first be inclined to raise the TA to about 70-80 (baking soda). That should also allow the pH to rise a bit.

 

[arl0726]

I can do that. I got soda ash because it would raise both pH and TA, but I don't really understand the complexities of that balance.

 

[mknauss]

PH TA Relationship - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

I don't really understand the complexities of that balance.

No worries. This clip is from the Pool School section: "If your TA level is low soda ash will raise both the PH and TA levels."

So technically you could use it since both need to be increased a bit. Normally most pool have trouble keeping the pH down which is why I was focused on the baking soda. I just didn't want the pH to shoot-up crazy high on you, but you can experiment with either product before you go.