High alkalinity

[bikerdan]

Hey all. First off. Thanks for your help! So my issue seems to be with alkalinity. I just got a new Intex 14’ x 42” pool. I have it all set up. I’m using a SWG but have kickstarted with some LC. The only number that is really off is my TA. It’s about 210. pH was at 7.5 till I threw in some Muriatic Acid to lower pH and alkalinity while running aeration to bring pH back up.

Two questions. Is 210 too high for TA? And how long should it take for pH to rise from 7.0 to a target of 7.3 or 7.4 with just aeration? Also, anything else I should consider?

Again, thank is for the help!!!

 

[PoolStored]

210 is not "too high" The only implication of TA being high is that your pH will rise faster with high TA. Nothing else.

how long? depends...here is a good thread for you...

Lowering Total Alkalinity (TA) Quickly with the Acid Aeration Method

Thought I'd make a post that might help others. We've had quite a few members this year with high TA, and I've been typing the same information over and over. I'm going to post this so I can link it to help others. High TA can cause rapid pH rise. High TA is typically caused by high TA fill...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[bikerdan]

210 is not "too high" The only implication of TA being high is that your pH will rise faster with high TA. Nothing else.

how long? depends...here is a good thread for you...

Lowering Total Alkalinity (TA) Quickly with the Acid Aeration Method

Thought I'd make a post that might help others. We've had quite a few members this year with high TA, and I've been typing the same information over and over. I'm going to post this so I can link it to help others. High TA can cause rapid pH rise. High TA is typically caused by high TA fill...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks. That’s helpful!

 

[JamesW]

How are you measuring the chemistry levels?

 

[AUSpool]

And you’ll want to know where that TA came from by testing your tap water for TA.

A target pH at 7.3-7.4 is quite low, I would think you’re probably there or higher already. See the recommended levels.

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

And poolschool.

Pool School

www.troublefreepool.com

But the first place to start is with a decent test kit.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[PoolStored]

A target pH at 7.3-7.4 is quite low, I would think you’re probably there or higher already. See the recommended levels.

I think the OP is following the guide to lower total alkalinity...which has the recommendation to cycle 7.0-7.6 as CO2 outgasses at the highest rate when pH is low.

Lower Total Alkalinity

A lower Total Alkalinity level can help a pool owner stabalize their pH increase. We'll explain how to lower TA with a little help from muriatic acid.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

If the readings are from test strips, I would not rely on them.

Also, you should know the CH to know the risk of scaling.

Test Kits Compared

 

[paul1971]

Let me comment on this as well.
First the test kit, i got the taylor pro recommended here and i could not be happier. The reading are so much more accurate than pool store or strips that is crazy. Never trust pool store tests.

Re alkalinity as mentioned before is not an issue, i learned here that FC and PH are the 2 most important level to check almost daily. High alkalinity will raise ph faster so you will need muriatic more often.
Use pool math to find out levels to add. Keep PH between 7 and 8. Eventually Alkalinity may go down.

To the new ones here i did a lot of reading on this forum and i now do my own maintenance and pool has never looked better.

Thanks forum!

 

[bikerdan]

How are you measuring the chemistry levels?

K-2006

 

[bikerdan]

I think the OP is following the guide to lower total alkalinity...which has the recommendation to cycle 7.0-7.6 as CO2 outgasses at the highest rate when pH is low.

Lower Total Alkalinity

A lower Total Alkalinity level can help a pool owner stabalize their pH increase. We'll explain how to lower TA with a little help from muriatic acid.

www.troublefreepool.com

That is correct. But now I’m wondering if I should worry about TA if pH can stabilize at recommended levels. Even with a TA of 200

 

[PoolStored]

When TA >80....When pH hits 8, lower to 7.4. pH will rise. Repeat
When TA 60-80, STOP lowering pH to 7.4, it should be fairly stable between 7.8 and 8. pH 7.8 to 8.0 is just fine.

 

[paul1971]

That is correct. But now I’m wondering if I should worry about TA if pH can stabilize at recommended levels. Even with a TA of 200

What will happen is that PH will raise back to 8 quickly with high alkalinity. Muriatic acid helps lowering both PH and alkalinity but not at same pace. TA 200 is very high so the other option could be to refill pool with low alkalinity water. Maybe your fill water has high alkalinity.
I would try to take care of ph with muriatic to keep it around 7/7.2 and check every couple of days. Hopefully eventually TA will go down but will take a while

 

[PoolStored]

A 200 is very high so the other option could be to refill pool with low alkalinity water. Maybe your fill water has high alkalinity.

There is never a reason to drain and refill a pool with high TA.

 

[paul1971]

True unless you are obsessed with it

 

[PoolStored]

True unless you are obsessed with it

We don't recommend, and there is no need to replace high TA water, even if you are obsessed with it.

 

[JamesW]

What is the calcium hardness?

 

[bikerdan]

What is the calcium hardness?

CH is 250

 

[bikerdan]

Here is my latest test results. Also, just to clarify, this is fresh water from our normal drinking system out of the wall faucet and run through an RV filter.

 

[JamesW]

Turn on CSI tracking.

Keep the CSI below 0.0.

CSI and LSI - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[bikerdan]

Turn on CSI tracking.

Keep the CSI below 0.0.

CSI and LSI - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Does it have to be below 0? I thought you just needed it to be as close to 0 as you can and + or - a couple of tenths is acceptable.