Alkalinity?

[CarlD]

Evan and I are on the same page here.

The WalMart HTH 5-way kit is really very good, but with super-high chlorine levels you may have problems with pH.

I had forgotten to mention that pH must be at or below 7.2 for aeration to work.

I've been an advocate of the shot-glass method for years. You can even use 2 shots of distilled water to one of pool water to measure chlorine levels to 15ppm with the 5-way kit.

Unfortunately, if you don't have the chlorine neutralizer, it's tougher to get an accurate reading--unless you have the Taylor phenol red that has the neutralizer in it.

[jenmenke]

I had forgotten to mention that pH must be at or below 7.2 for aeration to work.

So, how do you raise Ph above 7.2 without raising alkalinity? I have been doing the same process as savdoc2. I am now down to Ph of 7.1 or 7.2 with alk at 110 (down from 300+ a week ago). My fill water has a Ph of 7.2 and I can't seem to get my water any higher than that with aeration. Then I saw your note (quoted above). Is that all the higher I can get it with aeration? Which would be good to know since my fountains have been running for a week and I'm sick to death of them.
thanks
jennie

[Watermom]

You can just add a little Borax to the skimmer while the pump is running. It will raise ph without affecting alk. Just a little - ph at 7.4-7.6 is good.