how to lower if I need to? alkalinity of 170

[mas985]

To lower alkalinity:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191

You did not post CC or CYA but from what you have given, it does not look like anything is at a dangerous level. Why did you think you could not swim?

[timmie]

I thought once it reaches a certain level that you cant swim ( alkaline)

[timmie]

I forgot to mention that my PH is o.k, its the alkalinity that I am worried about..................I dont understand the thread that you sent me. I did have my solar cover on for a few days , could that have changed the alkaline? Do I need to use the acid to bring it down abit? Or can I just add more water to my pool? We had quite a bit of rain in the past few days...

[let_her_flicker]

You want to read this thread:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=195

Personally, I wouldn't worry about an Alkalinity reading of 170, as long as your PH is not bouncing around. When you read the information, Ben says "around" when he mentions the numbers.

Pool is okay to swim in.

[mas985]

Timmie,

First alkalinity of 170 is a bit high for pool water but my house is over 240 so it is safe to swim in.

Next, in your original post, you asked how to reduce alkalinity which is why I gave the link I did. Did you not understand the procedure or were you looking for something else?

[CarlD]

I have to disagree. For an ordinary vinyl pool, a T/A of 170 is nothing to worry about and nothing to lower. Not until you hit 200 do you have a problem, so I like to limit the safe range to 180.

Don't bother lowering it. Don't be afraid to swim in T/A of 170.

[mas985]

Sorry Carl, I guess I assumed too much. Although he did not say he had a heater, according to Ben:


What should my TA be?
Somewhere between 50 and 200 ppm. If you've got a heater, it usually should be lower than 150 ppm. If you've got a plaster or concrete based pool, it usually should be higher than 80 ppm.


Because I have a plaster pool and high calcium, I like to keep mine between 80-120.