Welcome to our forum.
New owner here, now 2 weeks of Chemistry and still having balancing problems...I am owner of the Sundance Marin (335 gal per specs) using dichlor, nature2 stick and an ozone system.My tub was filled with hard water from outside, bypassing my softener. I began testing my water immediately using the test strips that came with the startup kit. PH - excess of 8.4 and TA - Excess of 240Over a matter of 3 days, I added 9 tablespoons of PH Down and still had same reading. This was added while the pumps were running. I went back to dealership and purchased a Basic 4 test kit (I asked if they had the Taylor kit that so many talk about here...they said it was similiar). The salemen felt that the PH was locked (Not sure what that means)He instructed me to add an additional 9 tablespoons of PH Down and drop it in the center of the tub without the pumps running and after 3 hours, run the pumps for 1/2 hour and test again.Before adding, I tested the water with the Kit, which indicated the PH was in excess of 8.2 and the acid demand test indicated that I need 4/5 oz of Muriatic Acid to reach a level of 7.6. The TA was at 270.After using the PH Down as instructed, my PH was 7.8 and TA was 120. Although my PH was still high, I decided to wait few days until I added water to compensate for evaporation.I added about an inch of water this weekend and did my test again. The PH was off the chart again.Just today, I added 3 tablespoons of PH Down and my current PH is excess of 8.2 and the acid demand test indicated I need 1/2 oz of Muriatic Acid to reach a level of 7.6. The TA is 70.Wow, that was tough to get out as a newbie. Sorry about the excessive details.My questions...1) How do I lower the PH while not affecting the TA?2) The PH Down doesn't indicate what ingredients it contains. Can I assume this is Muriatic Acid?3) Does the PH Down work differently if used while the pumps are running vs. a drop and soak method?4) Based on my last reading above, what do you recommend I do?5) Does the amount of Dichlor have any effect on the PH & TA readings?I would like to make it to the newbie 1 month dump water rule, so any help would be appreciated.Thanks so much!
If your pH is at 8.0 why would you add baking soda? That's going to make it go higher & you're trying to get it lower. I'd worry more about getting the pH in the right range - you might find it holds at 7.x with only small adjustments needed every week to keep it there. I'd fill the tub, add 1 tbsp dichlor, 1/2 bottle of Metal Gone & let the pumps run 1/2 hr or so. Do this in the afternoon & then don't mess with it until the next morning. Just let it be. Now test cl & pH. Get those right over the next 48 hrs adding acids slowly like you did, & then waiting to retest at least 4 hrs after adjusting. Then go from there adjusting Ca & TA last.