what problems come from low Total Alkalinity? Any?

[20GT]

I posted this question because i could not find a answer on the Board

I've been told by TFP not to worry about low Total Alkalinity
On the WWW it says otherwise can some set me straight on this?

this is what i found :

PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM LOW ALKALINITY: If the Alkalinity of your pool is too low, these problems will occur:

* Dissolved metallic parts of your pool (walls, floor, hand rails, ladders, light fixtures, and equipment). This could even lead to discolored water or stains on the pool walls and floor.
* Stained and etched concrete in concrete pools.
* Stained and etched plaster in gunite or shotcrete pools.
* Stained liner in vinyl-liner pools.
* Blistering or delamination of fiberglass in fiberglass pools.
* "pH Bounce." Alkalinity acts as a buffer for pH. If the Alkalinity is low, the pH will fluctuate dramatically. Yesterday, it may have been 7.0, and today it may be 7.8, and tomorrow it may be 6.8-it can change from one extreme to the next, literally overnight.
* Minimizes the effectiveness of chlorine (or its alternative).
* Eye and skin irritation.

Thanks
Pasted from <http://www.poolmanual.com/manual/alkalinity.html>

 

[JohnT]

I posted this question because i could not find a answer on the Board

I've been told by TFP not to worry about low Total Alkalinity
On the WWW it says otherwise can some set me straight on this?

Nobody here told you not to worry about low TA. It can cause pH instability.

 

[Butterfly]

If we did say not to worry about your TA, then your #'s were within acceptable range.

Did you see Recommended Levels in Pool School?

 

[20GT]

Hmmm please review my post (Link) on the second page i ask "do i need to care about phosphates, calcium hardness, total alkalinity."
http://www.troublefreepool.com/test-results-in-could-use-some-help-thanks-t35565-20.html

 

[20GT]

Ah found it thanks
vinyl with Bleach

FC 3-7
pH 7.5-7.8
TA 70-90+
CH 50-300
CYA 30-50

 

[JasonLion]

Right, your TA is just a little high, nothing to worry about since you don't have a SWG.

 

[20GT]

pinch a penny wants you to keep it between 120-140 lol

 

[Butterfly]

Ah found it thanks
vinyl with Bleach

FC 3-7
pH 7.5-7.8
TA 70-90+
CH 50-300
CYA 30-50

And here are/were your #'s:

FC = 10 ,TC = 10 ,pH = 7.4 ,TA = 110 ,CH = 160 ,CYA = 50 (7-10-11)

So your TA is okay, a touch high (definitely not low) and if the pH remains stable it is fine where it is, your CH is just fine, and phosphates in a properly chlorinated pool don't matter. ie, JasonLion's pool is over 4,000 (I think that's close to correct) & he has no problems.

We/I saw where the pool store tried to pool store your wife (in that link) and we just tried to clear it up for you.

It is not a good idea to put your test numbers in your sig. The sig is for mostly permanent information.

 

[Butterfly]

pinch a penny wants you to keep it between 120-140 lol

Well, if you were using trichlor tablets you would want your TA to be higher, around 100 to 120.

 

[20GT]

thanks
and we are using those
(just updated sig will remove it after a while) 7-12-11

 

[anonapersona]

That "don't worry" was in response to your post immediately above that reported TA 100 and CH 160. Both in range for vinyl.

If you mean to ask if you should EVER worry about them, read Pool School.

 

[GK]

I would be more concerned at this point with the CYA at 100 and using pucks as you are still increasing it.

pool-school/chlorine_cya_chart_shock

 

[Butterfly]

I would be more concerned at this point with the CYA at 100 and using pucks as you are still increasing it.

pool-school/chlorine_cya_chart_shock

Yes, and here is the cross reference link: post293340.html#p293340

 

[astallings]

San Juan Pools (fiberglass) says to keep TA between 125 and 150. Is that true for all fiberglass pools? Why that high?

 

[pooldv]

No, here are the recommended levels for a fiberglass pool, Pool School - Recommended Levels

Please start your own thread with new questions rather than asking your question in another thread.