Looking for suggestions for increasing Ph and TA

[rchadha]

I tested all chemicals as the chlorine was going down to 1 from 4 in 24 hours. I think the culprit is lack of CYA. We have a pool cover but the sun has been strong last few days. Also cleaned the cartridge filters but next day again the chlorine dropped.
I will add the CYA (Sunblock) as suggested by pool math app.
57 oz for 17k gal pool.

However I would like to increase the Ph and TA. Any suggestions how I should do that? In 3 years of pool ownership I have never had to increase Ph. In previous years I used to Muriatric acid time to time to reduce Ph. Any idea why this the Ph is so low? We have had record rainfall in SW PA this year so acid rain?

 

[PoolStored]

Raise your TA to 60 with Baking Soda. Wait 30 minutes, pump running, brush a bunch, then test pH.

Then, raise your pH to 7,4 with 20 Mule Team Borax, after you confirmed you raisee TA to 60.

You need to raise your CYA to 30ppm. Use the sock method.

When the sock hits the water, raise your FC to the appropriate level for 30 CYA. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

I would perform the OCLT tomorrow night to confirm you don't have algae...Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

If you fail OCLT, time to follow the SLAM process...Link-->SLAM Process

 

[rchadha]

Raise your TA to 60 with Baking Soda. Wait 30 minutes, pump running, brush a bunch, then test pH.

Then, raise your pH to 7,4 with 20 Mule Team Borax, after you confirmed you raisee TA to 60.

You need to raise your CYA to 30ppm. Use the sock method.

When the sock hits the water, raise your FC to the appropriate level for 30 CYA. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

I would perform the OCLT tomorrow night to confirm you don't have algae...Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

If you fail OCLT, time to follow the SLAM process...Link-->SLAM Process

Thank you. Can I just use washing soda to raise both Ph and TA together?
Any concerns with using Arm and Hammer super washing soda? Per pool math adding 48oz of it should raise ph by 0.6 and TA by 20.

 

[PoolStored]

Soda ash is a big hammer when it comes to adding alkalinity (and raising pH). It can also cause clouding. I'd rather not introduce another issue for you.

Best to not use Soda ash. Better is to use baking soda to raise TA (if necessary) and borax to raise pH.

TA/pH is low due to the rains.

 

[rchadha]

Thank you, that makes sense. Appreciate your help!

 

[pjt]

However I would like to increase the Ph and TA.

For the TA test, are you continuing to add drops until there's no further color change? Are you adding MA or any acidic chlorine products?