Adjust TA first, right?

[Watermom]

I'd just leave ph of 7.8 alone. If it goes any higher, then I'd try and drop it some, but anywhere 7.2-7.8 is OK. And, your alk is only a little low. Go slow with the baking soda.

[waterbear]

WRONG!

PH should be adjusted first. The reason is that your alkalinity will change, if you adjust your pH, and what was a problem, may not be one, once you fix the pH.

Ben, I have a question. If the pH is high, say arround 8.0, and the alk is low wouldn't it make sense to raise the alk first and then lower the pH into proper range? Lowering the pH first would also lower the alk and then when you raise the alk you raise the pH again. I can understand adjusting pH first if it is low since raising it will also raise the alk and both could end up in the proper range then. I have a good grasp on the chemisty involved but would really like your take on it since the interaction between the two does make it tricky. Thanks!

[jnorris]

Update so far:

Last night I added about 3 lbs of baking soda. Tested this morning:

TA 90 (up from 70)
PH at least 8.0, very dark pink (up from 7.8 to 8.0ish)

So this morning I have added some muriatic acid, and then another 3 lbs of baking soda. I'll retest this afternoon to see what my numbers are.

My main objective is to get TA to a number that will prevent the PH from bouncing so much. I add acid, it comes down to 7.2 - 7.4, and then it creeps back up again. I am using tri-chlor when I am on vacation (which has been 2 weeks in the last month) and bleach the rest of the time.

I have been testing for FC and PH mostly every day. Maybe I shouldn't be testing PH so much? I am trying to stay ahead of my water, but maybe I should relax a little? Pool has been blue and crystal clear from day one, except for a little mustard algae, which seems to be much better with the higher level of FC. We've had alot of rain here in the south, so I feel better with a little higher level of FC, around 8 or 9. I must say though, my husband (who knows NOTHING about pool chemistry) is just amazed that I have kept the water looking so good. He thinks I'm a genius, but I know that you guys are the real geniuses!