My ph is low and it laughs at Borax

[Unabomber007]

FC: 6
PH: 6.8
AL: 30
CA: unknown
CYA: 100

I never test for CA and when I did this time, it turned slightly pink and no matter how many drops I added, it wouldn't change to blue and I'm almost out of drops. Plus the drops are old as the hills. If this is important, I can have the pool store test it and report back otherwise I need to get more drops and I DOUBT the pool store will have them as they NEVER have any testing supplies worth a crap.

Well the internet tells me I'll need about 30lbs of Baking Soda....off to the store I go...

[Unabomber007]

Went to the pool store and bought 5 new test chemicals (first time EVER they had stuff in stock) and a pump filter basket gasket which ran $43. They had Alk Up or whatever they called it for $40 for 30# and $60 for 50#. So I bought 4 12lb bags of Arm and Hammer for $25 at Sam's. Gonna dump two now and test later today.

The internet told me to just dump in in the deep end, so I'll split the difference and do one there and one in the skimmer. Will do another full round of testing later.

[waterbear]

Why is your CYA at 100? I would recommend a partial drain and refill to get it down a bit. BTW, what test kit are you using?

[Unabomber007]

Probably because of the damn 3" tabs we are using is my guess as they all seem to have stabilizer in them. I'd like to find tabs that are JUST bleach and that's it. Heck, I've even thought about using the Clorox tabs you drop in your toilet tank but they are expensive per use.

100 is a little high, but nothing too drastic but I will be taking some water out of the pool. Test kit I'm using is the big honking one they sell here and I've been replacing the chems in it when they get low. I think I have the 232 model off the top of my head. Off to the pool now...

[CarlD]

Why are you dumping in Baking Soda when you don't even know your T/A #? What if it's already 200ppm?

Your CYA is very high--you need to dilute your water and refill. That might, of course, be the best recourse--dump at least half your water and refill. It should solve CYA and the heavy acidity as well.

[Unabomber007]

I'm dumping in baking soda to raise the ALK of the water. That's what you do to raise it unless the instructions on the side of the bag are wrong. Not hatin' with this statement, just stating why I am doing what I am doing.

I have no clue what T/A is??? The only unknown I have in my chem right now is CAL.

[Unabomber007]

New testing:

FC 6
CC 0
TC 5
PH 6.8
ALK 60
CAL 0?
CYA 80 (tested twice and got 80 both times)

During the CAL test my water just BARELY turns pale, pale pink and even 40 drops does nothing to change the color. So I'm guessing no CAL as previous years I've had some results from that test but nothing this year.

The pool has only been circulating for 1 or 2 hours so the Baking Soda is working and hopefully will go up a touch more later. I ended up adding 2 12# bags to the skimmer and 1 12# bag to the deep end. I still have one bag left and 2 boxes of Borax.