pH Level Won't Increase My My Pool

by Brenda McGee
(Elizabethtonm TN USA)

I am having trouble raising the pH level and I have algae. I have brushed the algae and used pH increaser. Hasn't worked. I keep trying.

Tried baking soda. Still not successful.

Do I need to drain my pool so much and fill up again?

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Thanks for the question Brenda

First, I'd like to have your complete chemicals readings: Chlorine, CYA (cyanuric acid/stabilizer), pH, Alkalinity, Calcium, Hardness, Metals (iron and copper), Total Dissolved Solids. It makes troubleshooting much easier and the process of clearing up your pool will go much faster. Without these numbers I'm just guessing at what the problem is.

The question also says the pool has algae. Have you taken any measures to correct this?
If so, exactly what have you done? And what was the outcome? I need to know so I can have the information to best help your situation. It's just very difficult to diagnose a problem when the information I have is incomplete.

You may not have any stabilizer in the pool which will cause you to lose chlorine which will turn your pool green. Or you may have too much stabilizer which will cause your chlorine to be rendered ineffective. Or the pH might be too high which will also render the chlorine ineffective.

A pH level over 8.2ppm and you're only using about 25% of the available chlorine. If you could give me the chemical readings and answer the above questions I'm sure I can help.

Robert