Question about pH

[dirtysouth]

I know this one is gonna sound crazy but what exactly is meant on the tester when it says ADD ACID (high pH) and ADD SODA ASH (low pH)? I've always thought that acid is CYA but I usually don't do anything during those occasions when my pH is high. I never know why it gets high no and then but it always returns to normal on it's own. Is adding CYA the way to lower my pH?

Is soda ash simply baking soda? I've always added baking soda if pH was low but I'm hearing people say that it's the Borax that raises pH.

In a nutshell, how do I raise and lower pH? Haven't had any problems and water is always crystal with no burning eyes or fading swimsuits. But i've never been real sure about this. Thanks.

[duraleigh]

Use Borax to raise your pH

Use Muriatic acid to lower it

CYA is completely unrelated

Read some more info @ poolsolutions.com and all of the "stickies" on the forum.

[CarlD]

I know this one is gonna sound crazy but what exactly is meant on the tester when it says ADD ACID (high pH) and ADD SODA ASH (low pH)?

You use acid (Muriatic or Dry Acid) lower pH. You use either Soda Ash or Borax to raise pH. Soda Ash is sodium carbonate, Arm&Hammer sells it as "Washing Soda" at the supermarket. Borax is usually right next to it, is 20 Mule Team Borax but some others are marketing Borax as well. Borax is better for raising pH because it doesn't raise something else, called TOTAL ALKALINITY, but Soda Ash does.

I've always thought that acid is CYA but I usually don't do anything during those occasions when my pH is high. I never know why it gets high no and then but it always returns to normal on it's own. Is adding CYA the way to lower my pH?

CYA is Cyanuric Acid and is also called Stabilizer or Conditioner. It is not used to lower pH and doesn't seem to have any effect on pH. I suspect it's a very weak acid. CYA in your water cannot be gotten out except by dilution.

Is soda ash simply baking soda? I've always added baking soda if pH was low but I'm hearing people say that it's the Borax that raises pH.

Do not use baking soda to raise pH. It does a poor job but is VERY effective at raising Total Alkalinity. Soda Ash is Sodium Carbonate. Baking Soda is Sodium BI-Carbonate. Arm&Hammer sells both, but, as mentioned above, they sell Sodium Carbonate as Washing Soda. Be VERY certain not to confuse the two.

In a nutshell, how do I raise and lower pH? Haven't had any problems and water is always crystal with no burning eyes or fading swimsuits. But i've never been real sure about this. Thanks.

Muriatic or Dry acid to lower pH, Borax to raise it.

[dirtysouth]

Thanks Carl. That clears it up for me.

One more thing. Should I not be using Baking Soda at all with an AG vinyl liner pool? Is alkilinity not basically for concrete and such? Are pH and chlorine levels not all that I'm to be essantially concerned about?

If this is so, then can I not maintain a healthy and happy pool with just bleach and borax (and, of course, CYA which is generally ok year round)?

Thanks again.

[waterbear]

Calcium is what is not needed in a vinyl pool (unless it has a heater). Alkalinity is needed in all pools. It is also called carbonate hardness and is the buffer system of carbonic acid/bicarbonates/carbonates that helps to keep the pH from bouncing all over the place. Use baking soda to increase it. To decrease it see this post
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191

[CarlD]

Calcium is what is not needed in a vinyl pool (unless it has a heater). Alkalinity is needed in all pools. It is also called carbonate hardness and is the buffer system of carbonic acid/bicarbonates/carbonates that helps to keep the pH from bouncing all over the place. Use baking soda to increase it. To decrease it see this post
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191

What this all means is that "total alkalinity" (which is kind of misleading) is a "stabilizer" for pH. Proper T/A will make it harder for things to influence your pH, either up or down.

People who have pH bouncing all over the place frequently have insufficient T/A. Too much is a problem as well.

So, yes, DS, you need to maintain T/A as well. Raising it is easy: You pour a bit of baking soda in your skimmer and let the filter run for a few hours.

Lowering T/A is tougher.

[dirtysouth]

Got it. Thanks a ton.