Very High Alkalinity

[RB3]

We are new pool owners and just put up a 15 foot round vinyl pool that holds about 4400 gals. Tried using strips for a few weeks, but just switched to a kit to test water. Have been able to keep Chlorine good (using float with tablets) around 2 to 3, Ph seems to look good at 7.6, but alkalinity is very high, in the high 300s. Have read a lot on the forums about lowering alkalinity and using aeration to keep pH from dropping too far. Have put between 3-5 oz of ph down (dry powder) in each day for past 5 days and Ph has stayed same and alkalinity has come down (started around 400, and now at 360). Haven't performed any aeration since the pH hasn't really lowered.

Wanted to see if this is a course to continue on with adding ph down, or if there's a different direction to go.

Also, haven't put any stabilizer in pool yet since we didn't want to complicate the process until we had most everything balanced.

Appreciate any guidance. Thanks

 

[tim5055]

The tabs you are using are about half stabilizer, so you are in fact adding it. They are also acidic, so they will help push down the pH.

Stabilizer doesn't make things more complicated. it is necessary to protect teh chlorine. Chlorine in a pool with no stabilizer will be cut in half in just under an hour in the sun.

The dry acid you are using contains sulfates which will accumulate in the water. Dry acid should not be used in plaster pools or pools with a SWG. A better choice is muratic acid (liquid) available at any big box store.

While you say chlorine is "good" at 2 - 3, understand that 2 - 3 with no stabilizer in the water is actually extremely harsh.

How much Pool School have you read? Start with these:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

How to Chlorinate Your Pool

Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship

Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.

www.troublefreepool.com

So, welcome to TFP!!

​

 

[duraleigh]

What test kit are you using to test TA?

 

[RB3]

Thanks Tim for the info - have read quite a few forums, will read through the pool school. And good point, did look at the tablets, and they do contain stabilizer.

The tabs you are using are about half stabilizer, so you are in fact adding it. They are also acidic, so they will help push down the pH.

Stabilizer doesn't make things more complicated. it is necessary to protect teh chlorine. Chlorine in a pool with no stabilizer will be cut in half in just under an hour in the sun.

The dry acid you are using contains sulfates which will accumulate in the water. Dry acid should not be used in plaster pools or pools with a SWG. A better choice is muratic acid (liquid) available at any big box store.

While you say chlorine is "good" at 2 - 3, understand that 2 - 3 with no stabilizer in the water is actually extremely harsh.

How much Pool School have you read? Start with these:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

How to Chlorinate Your Pool

Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship

Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.

www.troublefreepool.com

So, welcome to TFP!!

​

 

[RB3]

What test kit are you using to test TA?

We are using the PoolMaster 5 way pool and spa test.

 

[duraleigh]

That kit has a decent reputation, so assuming it is correct, all you need to do is to lower your TA exactly as the article tells you in Pool School. You may need quite a bit of acid but that is the simple solution.