Is this "Normal?"

Hello Everyone,

First and foremost, I want to take the time to thank everyone for your responses, advice and guidance to a new pool owner! It is my hope that I am able to continue to learn the finer points of balancing the chemicals in my pool, and in the meantime, appreciate the patience with my many questions.

My pool and spa is approximately 10,500 gallons and uses a Jandy 1400 SWCG in combination with a Del Ozone system for sanitation. My pool was filled in the middle of June, so it is a fairly "new" pool. I have heard that it is often difficult to maintain a consistent PH level with new pools. Is this correct?

My chlorine and alkalinity seem to remain stable, but my PH needs to be adjusted downward every three to five days. With the constant addition of Muriatic Acid, sheer descents, and adding water to compensate for evaporation, I finally had to add baking soda to raise my alkalinity. It was in the 60 - 70 range, and I added enough baking soda to get the Alk up to 90.

Here were my test results this morning:

FC - 3
TC - 3
CC - 0
PH - 7.8
ALK - 90
CYA - 50
Salt - 3.2

Jandy set to 35%, Ozone runs constantly when pump in ON.

I went ahead and added another 16oz. or so (1pt.) of muriatic acid to lower the number. I realize that 7.8 is supposed to be acceptable, but with the way my pool seems to be working, I know that it will be 8+ tomorrow, especially after adding an inch or so of water. Four hours later, the PH is down between 6.8 & 7.2 with all the other numbers the same.

Anyway, is this creeping of the PH normal? Is it related to the gunite and the "newness," of my pool? As I mentioned, all the other chemicals seem to have "leveled" off and the pool looks great. If I have to add 16oz. of Muriatic Acid every few days, it is really no big deal, or is it?

We just had our second baby, a little girl named Sophia, and I have taken a couple of months off of work to be at home and I know I am going to be obsessed with perfecting my water chemistry!

Thanks for your thoughts,

Mike

P.S. I ordered a kit from this site a few weeks ago and am eagerly awaiting its arrival so that I can more accurately test my water. I am currently using a Taylor kit. Can anyone clue me in to how long it usually takes to get a kit?

Welcome to the forum. Yes, it is normal in a new gunite pool for the ph to rise. Using acid to lower it is exactly right. As far as a time range on receiving your test kit, unfortunately, it sometimes takes awhile to get it. Ben has had a multitude of problems this summer and is doing his best to get kits out all the while working and trying to keep the forum up and running. The latter has been a real pain for him recently as he has had numerous hackers causing him problems. The kit is worth the wait, however.

Enjoy your pool and that new baby girl and congrats!

Which talylor kit are you using? If it is the k-2005 you can get pretty accurate results if you use the diltion method that is at the bottom of the clorine test instructions on the lid of the kit....not as easy as Ben's but it will work until his kit comes. It's a bit more difficult to detrermine CC with this kit also, unless it is about 1 ppm or higher. If you have the K-2006 you have basically the same functionality as Ben's kit. You are missing the OTO test which is a good quick check for daily chlorine readings.

Thanks Watermom,

I have have been following the various problems that Ben has been having this year and am symathetic for his situation. This forum is fantastic and a great resource for me, so I am willing to be patient so he can keep this site up and running. Since I am currently using the Taylor Kit (Not sure of the model #), it seems to be covering the basics for me right now and should last until I receive my new kit from Ben.

As far as the pH rise in a new pool, this is probably a silly question, but is there a general guideline on how long the pH rise will continue?

Thanks for the reply,

Mike

The pH is rising primarily because of the SWG. It is the nature of the beast.

Mike - the rising pH is definitely being caused by the curing gunite and plaster. Even after everything's cured, the SWG will continue to drive your pH upwards, although not quite as fast. I'm in the same boat having had our pool filled only on August 1st. I have to add 16 oz of Muriatic acid at 7:30 AM, then again 12 hours later, just to keep the pH around 7.4.

I'm told that this could last as long as 6 months, maybe even longer.

Thanks for the response joelq and congratulations on your new pool!

I'll consider myself lucky that my other key chemicals seem to be settled. As I mentioned before, it is a small price to pay to add a little muriatic acid every 3 to 5 days. Besides, I really do enjoy taking care of my pool. There is a lot of satisfaction seeing my family really enjoy a sparkling, clean pool.

By the way, I just received notice that my testing kit just shipped! Thanks Ben!

Regards,

Mike