Clear Pool but cannot maintain free chlorine level?

[CarlD]

Ted probably knows more about SWCGs than me, but a TA of 185 with one is SURE to see you with high pH...too high! But 5 LITERS of Muriatic acid? I wouldn't put 5 liters of ANYTHING in a pool at once other than...water itself.

Here's probably a good set of numbers to aim for, but the SWCG manufacturer's recommended levels should be approached.
CYA: 80
TA: 80
FC: 4 or more
pH: 7.2-7.8

Ted or some of the other pros may give you better guidance but SWCGs DO tend to increase pH. I don't know if it's the nature of the beast or that something's out of adjustment, but with your low CYA, you can use Tri-Chlor tablets in a floater. They are extemely acid and will help control the pH, plus they add stabilizer, which you need as well.

Carl

[SalemCastles]

The poolcalculator.com suggests 1.3 litres of muriatic acid to go from 8.0 to 7.2 with a TA of 185. Perhaps trying half of that and rechecking would be the best approach. Are you in the GTA area?

[Mr.Mooks]

Thanks Glen. I was going to start with a lower amount. Did not get time last night. I think they were just trying to make a little extra by selling me all the stuff. I am in Barrie.

[Watermom]

It is usually best to go with small additions of acid, retest, then redose if needed instead of trying to get to the target with one big dose.

[Mr.Mooks]

I want to thank everyone who has helped me out on the site with this issue. So glad to have found this site. I am going to start first with cleaning the plates and then add a little acid. I will then recheck my levels after about 2 hours.

[Watermom]

You are very welcome!

[waste]

You're on the right path!

It's always a pleasure to help someone who is willing to listen to the advice and do the work involved!

Though there is probably a better place for this; I want to mention the SWCG= rising pH issue. As a result of salt being electrolytically converted to chlorine, a couple of hydrogen atoms are left over. They form a bubble of hydrogen gas which is introduced into the pool via the returns. This causes aeration, which raises pH. The concentration of hydrogen bubbles, per return effects the aeration process (the pools I built in Ct. had ~ 12 returns !?! (7 regular returns, 2 in the steps and 3 low returns)) Because we split the excess hydrogen between 12 returns, I never saw the pH creep often reported- but I certainly did on pools that had 2 - 4 returns. I hypothesize that the hydrogen is more aggressively aerating the water in pools with fewer returns thus causing the constant pH rise