Increased Ph 8.0? Should I decrease and if so, how?

[cdingess]

Pool looks good but numbers are so so. Cl is 4-6 cya 80 ph has been 8.0. Should I decrease it and if so how? I use the Taylor test kit. It's great. Also I was wondering if rain would help decrease the ph so I don't have to add chemicals?

[FormerBromineUser]

What is your TA? Yes, decrease pH. Here's howIf 120+, add 3C MA. If closer to 80, add 2C.

I also suggest that you add about a half gallon of 8.25% bleach.
Rain doesn't usually make much difference.

[cdingess]

What is TA? Where do I buy MA at?

[FormerBromineUser]

TA stands for total alkalinity and you should have a TA test in your kit, assuming you have the Taylor 2006 which is our recommended testkit.

You can buy MA, muriatic acid, in the paint section of any hardware or big box home store. Here is a link on how to handle MA just in case you are not familiar with it: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/13111

[cdingess]

My TA 140. Is 3c still good?

[FormerBromineUser]

Yup. Retest it after a couple of hours and see where you are.

[swimdaddy]

You have to be careful which bottle of MA you get, there is a diluted product at my local Lowe's that they usually put right out front at eye level, and then the stronger stuff they hide down low and behind everything. They aren't labeled very well either, so its hard to know what strength you are getting.

[cdingess]

I did about 1/2 the quart of MA then test after 2 hours. Ph still 7.8-8.0. I added the rest of MA and retested 1 hour later. Ph bout 7.5😄 Cl 6 after 1/2 gallon of bleach. Thank you so much!!

[FormerBromineUser]

You are welcome!!!
Have you ever tried going a little higher with your FC goal? With a CYA of 80, I would consider that.
http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/best...e-chart.html#a
You're bordering on the low end of the range with 6. Trying to stay at 8-9 might be better. But if your pool does well with a lower goal, that's fine!

[cdingess]

Last year I had the CL higher bout 10-12 and it smelled like bleach really bad! Everyone smelled like it as well. That's why I'm trying to stay on the lower end this season. Thanks for all your help.