HELP NEEDED. My PH is in range but my Alkalinity is high. How can I get that down? My Calcium is a little out of range as well. Does that effect the Alkalinity?
Thanks
Whether you use dry or liquid reducer, its most effective if added to the water and then the water stays calm. That goes against conventional wisdom but by leaving the water calm and undisturbed you get better results when using pH/Alkalinity reducing agents. Thus, it is why I prefer the dry vs the liquid.
Calcium, in my vast experience with in ground pools, swim spas and hot tubs, tends to only effect the concrete. If you do not have a concrete hot tub I wouldn't bother. Yes- You can balance it and all would be well. But I have never seen tangible ramifications of unbalanced calcium in non-concrete pools/spas.
I understand the science behind it. But I also see the results in front of me. It seems that this industry has to find new ways to generate needs for dealers to purchase chemicals and thus teach customers about new aspects of water chemistry, which drives over the counter sales.
Thus you see more litmus pads added to test strips, helping generate more *needs* for more products to purchase. I have noticed this more since salt systems took a huge bite out of the industry. And again- to be fair- the science works on the things they are pushing. But the science is always presented in a way that benefits the chemical manufacturer.
Consider: Baking Soda usually is shown to contain Sodium Bicarbonate (at least on packages around where I live). But on my pool products it is labeled Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate. That is on purpose. You can figure out why.
Long-winded answer brought back into frame: Use a reducing agent to drop your alk (you'll possibly see a drop in your pH as well), and keep your eye on the pH and sanitizer as well. Everything else is almost a shell game.
EDIT: Spelling
