What color is this? Or whats my ph?

[KaiBee]

Hi. I've been having high ph the last few days. It was dark red, then deep orange, and now its more of a clear orange. I want to call it maybe a 7, but am I being hopeful? Do I need to add more acid? Thanks.

Ny test results this morning. Before adding ma.
==========================================
Kai pool
------------------------------------------
Build Type: Vinyl
Volume: 21480 gallons
------------------------------------------
Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 4.0 (6 hours ago)
CC: 0.0 (6 hours ago)
pH: 9.0 (6 hours ago)
TA: 50 (6 hours ago)
CH: 125 (6 hours ago)
CYA: 90 (6 hours ago)
SALT: 3200 (6 hours ago)
TEMPERATURE: 85° (6 hours ago)
CSI: 0.23 (6 hours ago)
==========================================

 

[Texas Splash]

I was getting confused at first with your description because your pH test results show 9. But I see above that it says "before adding ma". So if your pH is around the light orange/yellow color, it's definitely on the low side. In fact, now I'm curious about your TA after all that acid.

I would recommend you post back with a current pH and TA so we can evaluate them together just to be safe.

 

[KaiBee]

I just realized I never put a picture! These went with my question of what color? I am about to retest again then post. We swam for about 5 hours after my last post and had the pool slide on. Stay tuned...

 

[mknauss]

Probably a 7. Try using 4 drops of reagent next time. It will reduce the color intensity. I find it easier to match colors. Also use a white sheet of paper behind it as your background.

 

[KaiBee]

Probably a 7. Try using 4 drops of reagent next time. It will reduce the color intensity. I find it easier to match colors. Also use a white sheet of paper behind it as your background.

Thanks. I did use a white paper but that picture was too big to upload. I will use 4 drops shortly.

 

[KaiBee]

New test results
==========================================
Kai pool
------------------------------------------
Build Type: Vinyl
Volume: 21480 gallons
------------------------------------------
Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 3.5 (22 minutes ago)
CC: 0.0 (22 minutes ago)
pH: 7.0 (22 minutes ago)
TA: 40 (22 minutes ago)
CH: 100 (22 minutes ago)
CYA: 80 (22 minutes ago)
SALT: 3200 (22 minutes ago)
TEMPERATURE: 92° (22 minutes ago)
CSI: -1.66 (22 minutes ago)
==========================================

 

[mknauss]

It would be wise to add about 20 ppm TA worth of baking soda. Test pH and TA a day after you add that.

 

[DanF]

Probably a 7. Try using 4 drops of reagent next time. It will reduce the color intensity. I find it easier to match colors. Also use a white sheet of paper behind it as your background.

Marty - I also have trouble with measuring pH using the Taylor comparator. Do you recommend using 4 drops all the time, or just for certain ranges of pH? Thanks.

 

[mknauss]

I use 4 drops all the time. I can match the colors better with that intensity.

 

[Saturn94]

I use 4 drops all the time. I can match the colors better with that intensity.

Cool tip. I‘m going to try that next time (color matching isn’t my forte ?)

 

[DanF]

Cool tip. I‘m going to try that next time (color matching isn’t my forte ?)

Me too. And if that doesn't work I'm going for the electronic pH tester. Wife is getting tired of reading the colors for me.

 

[KaiBee]

I added baking soda yesterday. I just tested and my TA is now 80 (it was light pink at 7 drops but got a little darker with 8). My ph is still an orange color with 4 drops, so I'm not sure what it is really.... And I've always wondered, with the CH test, when adding r-0012, do I mix between drops or just add one drop until it turns blue? Because its a big difference between the two. Thanks.

==========================================
Kai pool
------------------------------------------
Build Type: Vinyl
Volume: 21480 gallons
------------------------------------------
Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 4.5 (6 minutes ago)
CC: 0.5 (6 minutes ago)
pH: 7.3 (6 minutes ago)
TA: 80 (6 minutes ago)
CH: 75 (6 minutes ago)
CYA: 80 (6 minutes ago)
SALT: 3200 (6 minutes ago)
TEMPERATURE: 75° (6 minutes ago)
CSI: -1.22 (6 minutes ago)
==========================================

 

[mknauss]

That is an odd color using 4 drops of pH reagent. But I believe it is in the low 7's. How did your TA jump 40 ppm when you were adding baking soda for a 20 ppm rise?

The CH test is done with swirling the sample all the time. It is easier with a Speedstir, but as you have low CH and a vinyl pool, I would not worry running that test except at most monthly.

 

[KaiBee]

That is an odd color using 4 drops of pH reagent. But I believe it is in the low 7's. How did your TA jump 40 ppm when you were adding baking soda for a 20 ppm rise?

The CH test is done with swirling the sample all the time. It is easier with a Speedstir, but as you have low CH and a vinyl pool, I would not worry running that test except at most monthly.

I just looked at my logs. On the
May 3rd AM I logged that my ph was 9 (dark orange) and ta was 50. I then added ma to bring my ph down. Tested that evening after swimming for 5 hours with 6 kids and the pool slide running, and my ph was the lighter orange but ta was now 40. Then on the 4th, we swam for a few more hours, and I tested at night. My ph was 7?( light orange, but still no real color match) and my ta was 50. I added 101 ounces of baking soda (used a measuring cup), expecting to bring it up to 70. When I tested today, TA turned pink at 70 but did get darker with another drop. I have even been retesting to see if it remains the same. My water is still clear ( for now).

 

[KaiBee]

PoolMath Logs

 

[mknauss]

I see you recorded very high pH. It is not wise to interpolate pH above or below what the test kit says. Just use the lowest number on the test kit. and add acid or borax to lower or raise pH slowly.

The pH color is still quite strange. You are sure the FC is what you show. A FC above 10 ppm can mess with the pH test.

 

[KaiBee]

I see you recorded very high pH. It is not wise to interpolate pH above or below what the test kit says. Just use the lowest number on the test kit. and add acid or borax to lower or raise pH slowly.

The pH color is still quite strange. You are sure the FC is what you show. A FC above 10 ppm can mess with the pH test.

So I redid my test, again, and my chlorine is 6 now. But what my ph color problem is, is that I ordered r0004, not r0014, thinking they were the same thing. Is there a way to use it or do I need to order the correct regent? I have a big bottle.

 

[mknauss]

OK -- I wondered about that earlier -- nope. Get the correct reagent. What you have is for a 44 ml water sample.