High PH/Low Calcium

[spahopeful]

After adding my dichlor each night I have been testing with the LT strips.  My dichlor and Alkalinity get to the right color on the strip, but my PH is always high and my calcium is always very low.  

How do you lower PH without lowering alkalinity?  

And, is it important to get my calcium up (my dealer has told me not to worry about calcium)?

[Vanguard]

You do need to worry about your calcium level.  If it is too low, you can damage some of the materials in your pump and heater, etc.  Usually, if it is too high, you can get scaling - especially with high TA and pH.

You can lower TA without lowering pH.  Read the directions on the bottle or from your local dealer.  You will notice lowering of pH initially, but with a high TA, the pH will come back.  Once you get the TA in line, the pH will stabilize and not "bounce."

[Chas]

If the water in your tub is older than three months, just change it.

[spahopeful]

My water is only about 3-4 weeks old, so it would seem I should be able to lower the PH and keep the alkalinity at the current level.  Is there a good standard approach to lowering the PH when the alkalinity is already OK?  Or, do I just not worry about the PH level and just worry about keeping te alkalinity at the right level?

[Chas]

Generally if you drop the TA the pH will also drop, but the pH should climb slowly. It may take a few days to do so.