I installed as SWG for the first time this season in June and followed the valuable information on this site regarding optimizing water chemistry for an SWG pool. In particular I appreciated the legacy content from Chemgeek regarding the need for different pool chemistry with an SWG.
I have enjoyed easier maintenance and clear water since installation. In fact the pool stayed clear despite 5 1/2 days without SWG/filtering due to the storm-induced power outage we experienced a couple of weeks ago in NJ.
My pool chemistry is as follows: FC 4.5-6.5 (20%-40% SWG); CYA 70; pH 7.7; acid demand 1 drop to 7.4, 2 drops to 7.0; TA 60; Na 3250; Ca 375
When I finally got new test reagents this spring I found I had a pool TA of 200, having initially used out of date and under-reading test reagents. However after a couple of months I have now successfully reduced my TA to 50 by the addition of HCl (31% MA) and blowing off CO2 through aeration as recommended. I've been using about 2 gallons a week of MA. I've reached a point where the TA drops to ~50 after reduction of pH to 7.0-7.2 and then rises to 60 as the pH rises with aeration (waterfall+slide) within 48 hours. Without aeration the rise in pH is slower, but rises nonetheless. TA also rises and measures 60-70 as it approaches 7.8 as you would expect.
Unfortunately I don't seem to have reached the optimal TA point, that many others report, where it finds a stable equilibrium. Should I persevere with the cycle of acidification and aeration and try and push the TA down to 40 or lower? Or else should I now let the pool find its own pH level (probably 7.8-8.0) and live with that?
Thoughts and suggestions welcomed...thank you.
I have enjoyed easier maintenance and clear water since installation. In fact the pool stayed clear despite 5 1/2 days without SWG/filtering due to the storm-induced power outage we experienced a couple of weeks ago in NJ.
My pool chemistry is as follows: FC 4.5-6.5 (20%-40% SWG); CYA 70; pH 7.7; acid demand 1 drop to 7.4, 2 drops to 7.0; TA 60; Na 3250; Ca 375
When I finally got new test reagents this spring I found I had a pool TA of 200, having initially used out of date and under-reading test reagents. However after a couple of months I have now successfully reduced my TA to 50 by the addition of HCl (31% MA) and blowing off CO2 through aeration as recommended. I've been using about 2 gallons a week of MA. I've reached a point where the TA drops to ~50 after reduction of pH to 7.0-7.2 and then rises to 60 as the pH rises with aeration (waterfall+slide) within 48 hours. Without aeration the rise in pH is slower, but rises nonetheless. TA also rises and measures 60-70 as it approaches 7.8 as you would expect.
Unfortunately I don't seem to have reached the optimal TA point, that many others report, where it finds a stable equilibrium. Should I persevere with the cycle of acidification and aeration and try and push the TA down to 40 or lower? Or else should I now let the pool find its own pH level (probably 7.8-8.0) and live with that?
Thoughts and suggestions welcomed...thank you.
