How do i raise the ph level in my pool and treat it for algea?
Question:Can i do these two at the same time? If not which one first? my ph is a bit low and the sides and bottom of my vinyl above ground pool are just starting to get slippery. The water is a little bit cloudy. I want to fix these things before they get way out of hand...Help!
Answers:
Hi Shannon,
Let me debunk a little of the prior answers. The chlorine actually works more effectively at lower pH levels than it does at higher pH levels, so that statement was false. Baking soda doesn't raise the pH very well, it is intended for use in raising the alkalinity of the water which is a different beast but they do both help balance each other. And chlorine will not make your hair green, what is making the hair green is copper in the water... this is a common misconception.
Now, all that said. You really need to know exactly what the water chemistry is in your pool. Take a sample of the water down to your local pool store and have them test for the following:
Free chlorine
Total chlorine
Combined chlorine
pH
Alkalinity
Hardness
Total dissolved solids
Cyanuric acid
Metals (copper, iron, manganese, etc)
Nitrites/Nitrates
Phosphates
Don't purchase anything from them right at the moment, but bring the results and recommendations back and post them here or feel free to email them to me at robandliz1992@yahoo.com Please also include the gallon size of your pool and filtration system you use.
pH can be raised independently of the alkalinity by the addition of borax. 20 Mule Team Borax found in your grocery store detergent isle is an extremely useful chemical. Pool stores sell the exact same chemical as a pH buffer or pH Conditioner but it is nothing more than sodium tetraborate pentahydrate or decahydrate. The hydrate portion of the chemical does nothing for the pool and the only active portion is the tetraborate. About half a box per 10,000 gallons of water will increase the pH by .5 It's powerful stuff when adjusting pH so we don't want to use too much at once.
An added benefit of borax is that it's a great algaecide. It abrades the cell walls of algae and bacteria which allows the chlorine to work more effectively.
There is another pH product out there called Soda Ash (sodium carbonate... not to be confused with baking soda which is sodium bicarbonate). This only raises the pH but does not maintain it as the carbonate it offers is easily removed from the water. Borax will buffer the pH meaning it will help it resist changes up or down.
So for now, leave the pH a little on the low side to allow the chlorine to work more effectively and get back to us with the readings of the test as outlined above. We'll get your pool back in shape in no time.
Check with your local pool chemical supplier. Take them a quart of water from your pool so they can test it and determine what you need. Also, tell them how many gallons the pool holds, or give them the dimensions so they can come up with a treatment plan for your individual needs.
There is a PH+ product on the market for that very purpose. You can try that first.
When you PH is too low, the Chlorine or Bromine disipates quickly and may not be as effective as it should. Increasing the PH may fix that problem and take care of the algea.
If the water is cloudy, you may also want to consider shock.
Many chemical supply places (like Leslie's) will test your water for you and offer suggestions if you take it in. You should just put some in a jar and take it in within an hour. Don't let it sit too long as sun can affect the readings.
Use some lime products that will be easy one for one..or there are lots of products available in market to increase the level 0f ph, u also can use them too
Try baking soda. Baking soda nuetralizes ph.You can buy it in large boxes in any large grocery store. If your hair is green from chlorine mix a little baking soda with your shampoo,wait 5 minutes and rinse, the green will be gone. Don't do this too often because it can dry your hair so make sure you use conditioner after. DianeK
try baking soda start slowing adding a little bit at a time
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