I live in NY and have a pH-TA problem. Here are my pool specs: in-ground, 21K gal, TA low (60), Chlorine high (4.5) pH high (8.0), water still greenish. The local pool store has dragged me into a pH-TA vicious cycle. They claim that because my pH is too high, chlorine can not be effective: makes total sense, so they make me buy pH minus. Wait 48h, retest. Then TA is too low, buy Alkalinity ($$). Wait 48h, retest. pH too high, chlorine not effective. Buy pH minus, wait 48h retest, add chlorine because it has dissipated, wait 48h, retest, buy more alkalinity...then redo the scheme until you're broke. Meanwhile, the water has not gotten any better...I've been looking around at different forums unsuccessfully...please advise! Thanks! Dany
Thanks for the question
I had this problem with high pH (8.2) and low TA (30) with the fill water at the YMCA pool. This is how I did it. Add the acid around the perimeter of the pool, allow to filter for 10 hours, then retest the pH and TA. The TA may be lower and that's alright. It's 0.8 qrts. of acid to lower the pH 0.2 per 10,000 gallons. I'd use 1/2 qrt or 16 oz. for your pool right now.
Baking soda to raise the TA. You don't need TA Up or pH Up, just baking soda. It's about $4.99 for 4 lbs. Turn the pump off and add the bicarb in the deep end. Allow to sit for 4 - 5 hours, turn the pump back on, filter for 10 hours then retest both the pH and TA. It's 1 lb. of bicarb to raise the TA 10ppm per 10,000 gallons. Very important to go slow and incrementally.
Your TA is not too far off. The range is 80 - 100ppm. The pool store employee is correct that chlorine is more effective at a lower pH level.
Let me know how it turns out for you.
If you feel your situation is more complex than this, I do phone consultations for a donation of your choice. It makes things go much faster and many people have found it extremely beneficial, saving them time and money in the long run. All your questions will be answered. I have nothing to sell you so you know I'm not bias.
