Question about PH bounce

[CarlD]

First--try Poconos's advice. If that doesn't work...

Second -- With a vinyl pool you can safely bring your T/A as high as 180. I'd start by bringing it to 120-130ppm. See if that helps.

Third--you didn't say what your CYA is--if it's very low (like well below 30, or below 20), you can try chlorinating with Di-Chlor powder or Tri-Chlor tablets or powder. Both add CYA, so if it's low they will help and both are VERY acidic, especial Tri-chlor.

Fourth--Do you have a salt water generator? If so they are frequently to blame for rising pH.

[jnorris]

First--try Poconos's advice. If that doesn't work...

Second -- With a vinyl pool you can safely bring your T/A as high as 180. I'd start by bringing it to 120-130ppm. See if that helps.

Third--you didn't say what your CYA is--if it's very low (like well below 30, or below 20), you can try chlorinating with Di-Chlor powder or Tri-Chlor tablets or powder. Both add CYA, so if it's low they will help and both are VERY acidic, especial Tri-chlor.

Fourth--Do you have a salt water generator? If so they are frequently to blame for rising pH.

CYA level is 40. Just stopped using the trichlor sticks. I have been shocking with cal-hypo, so I haven't needed to add bleach yet (I think bleach raises PH). I was just wondering if cal-hypo is known to have an effect on PH. Strange thing is, we have had probably 3 inches of rain in the last week or so, and I know rain is acidic, yet my PH continues to bump up.

And, no, I don't have a SWG. Didn't know about them until after pool was built, and I don't think I can talk hubby into spending the money right now. I guess I'll be on the bleach bandwagon. I am hoping I can get to where I check my FC everyday, and add bleach every 2 or 3 days; that will be manageable.

EDITED TO ADD: Re: raising the TA: Now that I know that aerating the water lowers TA, I may have another piece of the puzzle. When I first started testing the water, my TA was 80. PB added chemicals (baking soda?) to bump it up to 130. However, we have 5 deck jets, and we run them alot when we are swimming. Maybe I've dropped my TA, and made my PH a little less stable? So maybe I should raise my TA back to 130?

Judy

[CarlD]

Cal-hypo is far more likely to raise pH than bleach. Use that instead. The pH of bleach is high, but it's generally 1 gallon's worth against 10,000 or 20,000 gallons, so it's usually not effecting a change.

Aerating doesn't lower T/A--that's been a confusion around the board. But it DOES raise pH under certain conditions that are part of the T/A lowering process and may be contributing to the rising pH.

I would raise T/A and see if it helps.