Low PH problem

[john1261]

I bought the HTH 6-Way Test Kit and checked for Total Hardness >200 if I read it correctly. The sample never turned red but more of a purple to begin with. I put 20 drops of the indicator in and it really didn't change any.

CYA tested well over 100. Not sure what to do about those two issues.

[PoolDoc]

For now, you need to run higher chlorine levels than you can measure with your kit. Keep the chlorine in the DARK yellow to orange-tinted yellow OTO range (10 - 30 ppm). Read the Best Guess page, linked in my signature block, for an explanation and more info. Probably the best way to do it, is to dose to orange-tinted yellow, and let it fall over a period days to dark yellow.

Make sure your pH is below 8.0 BEFORE you dose with chlorine: you cannot test pH with phenol red in the OTO orange range. So only re-test pH just BEFORE re-dosing with chlorine.

You can swim safely and comfortably with these levels, but I wouldn't recommend wearing your newest swimsuits when the pool is at peak chlorine levels. People are far, far more chlorine resistant than swimwear is . . . and the more expensive the suit, the less resistant it is!

But, you're going to need to order a K2006 kit (links in prior post) -- you really can't manage the high hardness levels and high CYA with the kit you've got.

[john1261]

Ben,

I have added 6 boxes of Borax 2 each hour and retested. The PH is now a little darker yellow but still not showing any red. Still less than 7.2. Do I ignore that for now and start adding chlorine? When do I know that I can proceed with whatever is next? Pool water is still clear.

[aylad]

Getting your pH up above 7.0 is critical--keep working with the Borax until the pH comes up--then start working on the chlorine (and I would stop using any trichlor or other stabilized chlorine, and switch to bleach!).

[john1261]

I have already added 12 gallons of bleach to the pool and have the chlorine in the orange tinted yellow range. How do I test PH at that level?

[Watermom]

How do I test PH at that level?

In a nutshell, you can't. That is why it is always a good idea to adjust pH before you shock a pool.

[PoolDoc]

It's not super accurate, but you can get a fair idea of your pH by buying some DISTILLED water in the bottled water section at Walmart, and diluting a pool water sample 1:1 with distilled water. (Fill a 1 cup measure with 1/2 cup of POOL water & 1/2 cup of DISTILLED water, & mix) Test the DILUTED pool sample. It's will be accurate enough to let you tell if have gotten in the 7 - 8 range.