New plaster, aerate with spa bubblers?

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S

sc5mu93

New member
Mar 26, 2025
2
Houston TX
Hello,
I am doing startup with new plaster installed. Plaster is Quartzscape from NPT. Currently pool has pH of 7.2 and a TA over 200. From reading, I can lower TA with acid, but I don't want to push pH much lower. Also I have read that I can use aeration to raise the pH. So, it seems like the course is: add acid to lower TA, and then use aeration to keep the pH from going too low.

Assuming the above is correct, I have my water feature running for aeration. Is there any reason why I cannot also run the spa bubblers in spillway mode (returns to the spa, and spills over in the rest of the pool) to aerate more efficiently/quickly?

I checked with the NPT website regarding running spa bubblers after new plaster is installed but it doesn't indicate either way if it will affect the new plaster.

Thanks.
 
How are you measuring pH and TA? If those are pool-store numbers I wouldn't trust them too much. If the TA is really over 200 the pH will not stay at 7.2 very long in any case. And a TA of 200 won't do any harm in the short run.

But yes running the system in SPA overflow mode works well for aeration. I've used it on my own pool when I've wanted to
 
Welcome to TFP.

Yes, you can run your spa bubblers and spillway for aeration with new plaster.

I would not get overly aggressive with trying to lower your TA. The start-up guides give you pH and TA targets that a e often impossible to maintain.

With a TA of 200 your pH will rise naturally pretty quickly. Just knock your pH down to around 7.6 whenever it gets to 8. Your TA will drop over time.

TA is the least important value as long as you keep your pH in the 7's.

You will always be fighting high TA and pH with lots of evaporation and high TA fill water in Houston.

What start-up guide are you using?

What test kit are you using?

What is your CSI?

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

The normal CSI guidelines do not apply to new plaster finishes under 30 days old. It is actually necessary to achieve a smooth and dense surface to have about a +0.5 CSI during the first 30 days. This is because the plaster (cement paste) surface contains about 20% calcium hydroxide, which is somewhat soluble in balanced and slightly positive CSI water and can be dissolved away. The plaster surface must be "carbonated" before lowering the CSI to the acceptable and balanced range. And that generally is achieved during the first month under balanced water.
 
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