+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Lowering Total Alkalinity

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    9

    Unhappy Lowering Total Alkalinity

    My 15,000 gal gunite pool is 1 week old and the total alkalinity is still too high. It started at about 320, now it's at 210. Should I be in panic mode? Will my plaster start getting rough?

    Is this normal for a new pool? I brushed 1-2 times per day for a week, and have an in-line chlorinator with tri-chlor tablets.

    Here's the other numbers (I only have the Pentair 5-in-1 test):

    chlorine: somewhere between 1.5 and 3.0
    pH: 7.6
    TA: 210

    My manual from the test kit says to add acid to lower the TA, but won't that also lower my pH? How do I lower the total alkalinity without lowering the pH?

  2. #2
    mas985's Avatar
    mas985 is offline Lifetime Member Whizbang Spinner mas985 3 stars mas985 3 stars mas985 3 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Pleasanton, CA
    Posts
    1,423

    Default Re: Lowering Total Alkalinity

    Normally, for a new plaster pool, you want to keep your PH low but above 6.8(6.8-7.2) until all the plaster dust is gone (1-2 weeks). This will also lower your total alkalinity. Also, Ben has a good procedure for lowering alkalinity:

    http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191
    Mark
    Hydraulics 101; Pump Ed 101; Pump/Pool Spreadsheets; Pump Run Time Study; DIY Acid Dosing; DIY Cover Roller
    18'x36' 20k plaster, MaxFlo SP2303VSP, Aqualogic PS8 SWCG, 420 sq-ft Cartridge, Solar, 6 jet spa, 1 HP jet pump, 400k BTU NG Heater

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: Lowering Total Alkalinity

    Thanks for the link to the thread.

    I'm a little concerned about messing with the TA because my chlorine and pH seem good and my water is clear.

    I read on www.askalanaquestion.com that "There is no compelling reason to have to lower the TA, once the pH is in range and there is no sign of scaling or cloudy water."

    Is that true? Does the TA really not matter as long as everything else is OK?

  4. #4
    mas985's Avatar
    mas985 is offline Lifetime Member Whizbang Spinner mas985 3 stars mas985 3 stars mas985 3 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Pleasanton, CA
    Posts
    1,423

    Default Re: Lowering Total Alkalinity

    Well, do you want to wait until there is scaling or prevent it? Higher alkalinity increases the probability that you will have some scaling (depending on your calcium hardness). In addition, higher alkalinity makes it harder to change your PH when you need to.
    Mark
    Hydraulics 101; Pump Ed 101; Pump/Pool Spreadsheets; Pump Run Time Study; DIY Acid Dosing; DIY Cover Roller
    18'x36' 20k plaster, MaxFlo SP2303VSP, Aqualogic PS8 SWCG, 420 sq-ft Cartridge, Solar, 6 jet spa, 1 HP jet pump, 400k BTU NG Heater

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Method of Lowering Total Alkalinity without hardly affecting PH that I found
    By goldslinger in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-11-2011, 02:45 PM
  2. Lowering alkalinity, Ben's method...
    By steveinaz in forum Dealing with Alkalinity and Calcium
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-14-2007, 10:01 AM
  3. Lowering alkalinity raises TDS - What is it?
    By aquarium in forum Dealing with Alkalinity and Calcium
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 09-11-2006, 04:09 PM
  4. Total Alkalinity and Adjusted Total Alkalinity
    By cheshamjim in forum Dealing with Alkalinity and Calcium
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-18-2006, 08:36 PM
  5. lowering total alkalinity
    By l1tech in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-13-2006, 11:03 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts