Question about PH bounce

[Poconos]

Judy,
I'd wait a couple days before doing anything about the pH just to be sure the water is mixed up well. Your bouncing could be due to circulation issues, when and where you take the sample, etc.
Al

[CarlD]

First--try Poconos's advice. If that doesn't work...

Second -- With a vinyl pool you can safely bring your T/A as high as 180. I'd start by bringing it to 120-130ppm. See if that helps.

Third--you didn't say what your CYA is--if it's very low (like well below 30, or below 20), you can try chlorinating with Di-Chlor powder or Tri-Chlor tablets or powder. Both add CYA, so if it's low they will help and both are VERY acidic, especial Tri-chlor.

Fourth--Do you have a salt water generator? If so they are frequently to blame for rising pH.

[jnorris]

First--try Poconos's advice. If that doesn't work...

Second -- With a vinyl pool you can safely bring your T/A as high as 180. I'd start by bringing it to 120-130ppm. See if that helps.

Third--you didn't say what your CYA is--if it's very low (like well below 30, or below 20), you can try chlorinating with Di-Chlor powder or Tri-Chlor tablets or powder. Both add CYA, so if it's low they will help and both are VERY acidic, especial Tri-chlor.

Fourth--Do you have a salt water generator? If so they are frequently to blame for rising pH.

CYA level is 40. Just stopped using the trichlor sticks. I have been shocking with cal-hypo, so I haven't needed to add bleach yet (I think bleach raises PH). I was just wondering if cal-hypo is known to have an effect on PH. Strange thing is, we have had probably 3 inches of rain in the last week or so, and I know rain is acidic, yet my PH continues to bump up.

And, no, I don't have a SWG. Didn't know about them until after pool was built, and I don't think I can talk hubby into spending the money right now. I guess I'll be on the bleach bandwagon. I am hoping I can get to where I check my FC everyday, and add bleach every 2 or 3 days; that will be manageable.

EDITED TO ADD: Re: raising the TA: Now that I know that aerating the water lowers TA, I may have another piece of the puzzle. When I first started testing the water, my TA was 80. PB added chemicals (baking soda?) to bump it up to 130. However, we have 5 deck jets, and we run them alot when we are swimming. Maybe I've dropped my TA, and made my PH a little less stable? So maybe I should raise my TA back to 130?

Judy

[CarlD]

Cal-hypo is far more likely to raise pH than bleach. Use that instead. The pH of bleach is high, but it's generally 1 gallon's worth against 10,000 or 20,000 gallons, so it's usually not effecting a change.

Aerating doesn't lower T/A--that's been a confusion around the board. But it DOES raise pH under certain conditions that are part of the T/A lowering process and may be contributing to the rising pH.

I would raise T/A and see if it helps.