Ph 6.6 Alkalinity 50 HELP

[CarlD]

OK,
Those numbers change everything. Do NOT add either Washing Soda OR Borax! And don't add Baking Soda either.

You still need to raise your pH, but you can do it without increasing your Total Alk level (already at the upper limit) by aerating your pool. You can point the return at the surface, toss in a bunch of 12 year olds (in old suits), get a sprayer or fountain, and leave it UNCOVERED!

I have a $10 to $20 fountain that screws into the return instead of the eye that will aerate the water SO quickly that you can raise the pH rather rapidly that way.

This is now really the only acceptable way to raise your pH without causing problems.

It's a component of the process we recommend for lowering Total Alk...you lower pH to 7.0 (where you are) with acid, lowering Tot Alk with it, then raise pH with aeration--Tot Alk doesn't go up. Then you lower pH again with acid and that brings down Tot Alk some more, and you aerate to bring it up.

You are right at the point where aeration is the next step.

Then you'll be fine. BTW, your FC will come down from evaporation, sunlight, kids playing, etc.

[Spensar]

Is Arm&Hammer WASHING Soda the same as Baking soda?

[aylad]

Not quite...........washing soda will raise your pH and your TA....baking soda only raises TA.

Janet

[CarlD]

Not even close!

Baking Soda is safe for human consumption--It's Sodium Bicarbonate and was in use as an antacid for decades. It's used in toothpaste as well. You can even cook with it.

Washing soda is a DEADLY POISON, also called Soda Ash. It's Sodium Carbonate, not BIcarbonate, and gives laundry that really fresh, clean smell.

They are chemically different. One is safe for human consumption, which is why "baking" is in the title, one is not, which is why "washing" is in the title.

[timmie]

Carl, Are you saying that I shouldnt use Soda Ash at all?? My numbers were normal and now they are abnormal again..........

[Watermom]

Timmie,
The last numbers you posted were from 17 days ago. We need a current set of numbers to advise you. Also, by the way, FC + CC = TC. Always. Retest and repost and somebody can help you.

[CarlD]

Timmie, without current numbers we cannot advise you.

I never say never to any of the basic chemicals. It's always a question of what is appropriate to the status of your water. I use Washing Soda as needed--this season more than usual. Generally, I prefer Borax, but with all the rain my T/A has been low so the Washing Soda does in one box what Borax and Baking Soda do in two boxes.

Likewise, I RARELY use Tri-Chlor pucks but my CYA levels have kept being diluted by the rain this season. So I use pucks in a floater to keep constant FC levels and to keep feeding CYA into the water. Meanwhile, the pucks lower pH and since the rain has washed out the T/A as well as the CYA, regular additions of Washing Soda keep THAT in line as well (that is, pH AND T/A). Since Washing Soda has shot up over 3 years from $.79/lb to about $.98...well, I can still manage to buy a 4 lb box every two weeks!

In a normal season, I RARELY need to adjust pH, T/A or CYA levels, and rely solely on bleach/Liquid chlorine for my chlorine. Since this season has been very different, I have adapted and used appropriate tools. It doesn't, by any means, negate the B-B-B method, it is simply a variation on it. B-B-B implies understanding what each chemical does and how to use it effectively and cost-effectively.