Krizoid
07-11-2013, 12:48 PM
I just set up my first pool this year, a 25k gal above ground. Filled with my well water. After filling and filtering out a lot of iron with the DE filter the PH has continued to rise. At latest test PH was 8+ (8 is the limit of my taylor kit). I'd like to balance the water but my fill water is pretty high in TA.
the well water is
350 Alk
350 CH
7.4 PH
My biggest goal is to control the PH and not be always fighting it. I understand the bicarbonate to carbonic acid buffering and how the carbonic acid will equalize with the air. The PH tends to rise over time which my research seems to say it due to carbonic acid off-gassing as Co2 over time leaving a net increase in bicarbonate behind to raise the PH.
What I haven't been able to confirm is if lowering the total alkalinity would cause the PH to stay in the acceptable range (assuming no addition of chemicals). If I lower the TA to the correct level, will the PH tend to stay within the 7.2-7.8 range or am I destined to always be adding acid?
I guess I also have a second question. Adding Muratic acid is listed as the solution to both the high PH and high alkalinity. On poolsolutions.com it says that adding acid to a low PH and aerating is the only known way to lower alkalinity if the fill water is also high in TA. It also mentions this is very counter to the conventional wisdom. What I am read on many sites is that to reduce alkalinity you simply add acid (without the need to aerate or go to the lower part of the safe PH range). I don't understand the difference between both methods. Why would merely adding acid without aerating send you on a "roller coaster ride"? I would expect that lack of aeration would mean that the offgassing to Co2 would just be very slow resulting in a slow PH rise and a slow reduction in Alkalinity.
Hopefully I've asked intelligent questions and given enough background data in this rather lengthy post.
the well water is
350 Alk
350 CH
7.4 PH
My biggest goal is to control the PH and not be always fighting it. I understand the bicarbonate to carbonic acid buffering and how the carbonic acid will equalize with the air. The PH tends to rise over time which my research seems to say it due to carbonic acid off-gassing as Co2 over time leaving a net increase in bicarbonate behind to raise the PH.
What I haven't been able to confirm is if lowering the total alkalinity would cause the PH to stay in the acceptable range (assuming no addition of chemicals). If I lower the TA to the correct level, will the PH tend to stay within the 7.2-7.8 range or am I destined to always be adding acid?
I guess I also have a second question. Adding Muratic acid is listed as the solution to both the high PH and high alkalinity. On poolsolutions.com it says that adding acid to a low PH and aerating is the only known way to lower alkalinity if the fill water is also high in TA. It also mentions this is very counter to the conventional wisdom. What I am read on many sites is that to reduce alkalinity you simply add acid (without the need to aerate or go to the lower part of the safe PH range). I don't understand the difference between both methods. Why would merely adding acid without aerating send you on a "roller coaster ride"? I would expect that lack of aeration would mean that the offgassing to Co2 would just be very slow resulting in a slow PH rise and a slow reduction in Alkalinity.
Hopefully I've asked intelligent questions and given enough background data in this rather lengthy post.