Can you take a look at my test #'s?

Here are my #'s as of today:

CL - 3
Ph - 7.5
Alk - 220
CA - 0

I am awaiting Ben's test kit that I ordered 11 days ago. The last time I tested CYA it was 30, but it could have gone up since then as it has been 4 days since I added it. I am out of regeant though, as the lovely HTH kit at Leslie's has enough for a whopping 2 (or 3?) tests.

I'm working on getting alk down (I started with fill water of 370), but my ph has gotten stubborn. Even with adding 12-20 oz of muratic acid each night, it's been 7.5 consistantly all week. We've had rain every day (quick, but heavy showers) and I'd think that would help bring the ph down.

Because I can't test my CYA right now, does it sound right that I'm adding 3 qts of bleach each evening, and my CL has been consistantly 3 each evening before adding more? My AG pool is approx. 14,000 gallons.

Thanks!

Hi, Courtney,

You sound like you have a good handle on your pool chemistry.

You're using about 3ppm daily of chlorine which seems a little higher than normal but I would not call it excessive.

AS I'm sure your know. reducing your Alk requires fairly low pH, (7.0) So I'd increase the acid dosage to keep it down there. Then, of course, aerate and re-add acid to get the pH back down in that 7.0 range.

Sounds like you're on your way....you'll really enjoy Ben's kit....everything gets much easier (including the Calcium test which looks a little suspect...unless you filled with a water softener)

It may take a little more acid to reduce the PH with high ALK. Put in the quart, then test about an hour later with the pump running to circulate OR brush it around - if no effect add a little more. You don't have to wait until the next day.