Question about pH

[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.