Low TA high Ph

[JLB]

I've been struggling with my TA and Ph. I try and raise TA to 120/125 and then lower Ph, the next day ph will be high again and I'll notice TA starting to drop. I use dichlor and shock weekly/ bi weeekly depending on use. Is trying to do this all in one day the problem? Should I allow more time in between the TA adjustment and PH? I don't know what to do.  

[Brewman]

What are your current TA and Ph levels?
What are you using to adjust them?

[JLB]

  Tested last night trying to read test strips TA looked like 60 and PH was 8.0/8.4   tried to raise TA to 120/125 like the directions stated ( TA increaser chemical) ran tub  tested agian thought it to be about 120 then add PH decreaser ran tub tested looked to be about 7.8 Fine, I done this same thing 3 times in the pass 2 weeks. I've never had  this problem before, my water is about 6 week old. I feel like my skin is being affected be the high PH because I'll feel ichy in certain spots. Hope thats enough info. Thanks

[cappykat]

JLB..I'm having the same problem.  I think my water is about 3 months old.  I just recently started having problems.  Bromine is 20, pH and alk were very low until I added 3 oz of baking soda.  Now pH is about 8.4 and alk is between 60-80.  (Using test strips)

My weekly routine has been to add 2-3 oz of shock, bromine is set at 1.  Since the ph/alk issues I've started adding 3 oz of baking soda.  It raised the pH but hasn't done much for the alk.

[Brewman]

 If you get too far out of whack, it's often best to just dump and refill.  

And no, you don't want to adjust too often or you'll just end up chasing the readings.  

In general, Ph decreaser will lower both Ph and alkalinity.

Baking soda can be used to raise alkalinity without increasing Ph (much).

Ph increase can be used to increase Ph.

Adjust gradually over at least several hours, even the next day.    

[tonyp]

I take it slow and easy.  When I finally get the Ph to stay put - it's time to change the water (every 4 months)

[cappykat]

I agree, Tony.  It must be time to change the water because these "problems" just started.  

The interesting thing is when I use baking soda it raises the pH more than the alk??

[CapMorgan]

If you get too far out of whack, it's often best to just dump and refill.  
 
 And no, you don't want to adjust too often or you'll just end up chasing the readings.  

 In general, Ph decreaser will lower both Ph and alkalinity.

Baking soda can be used to raise alkalinity without increasing Ph (much).

Ph increase can be used to increase Ph.
 
Adjust gradually over at least several hours, even the next day.    
 

Brewman i thought that using baking soda was for raisng Ph ?

[Brewman]

If you look at a bottle of Alkalinity Increaser, it will likely list Sodium Bicarbonate is the ingredient- which is just chemical speak for baking soda.
It's supposed to raise alkalinity with no (or very little) impact on Ph.  That's how it's been working for me, but maybe under certain conditions it hits Ph- that seems to be the case for Cappycat right now.
Dont' know why.