Browse Forums Pools & Spas 1 May 26, 2018 4:21 pm We've had pools for over 10 years now and each time we take water to the pool shop to be tested were told to put excess amounts of ph up in the pool then a few hours later put near equal amounts of ph down. I know spiking ph can help to kill any nasties living in the pool however is it really necessary all the time? We got a brand new pool a week ago and were told to raise ph with 2kg of ph up then add a liter of acid a few hours after, I took a water sample today and was told to do the same thing. Is there something wrong with just adding a little ph up or down to adjust the levels slightly without using so many chemicals? Is their technique just a money spin most of the time? I did ph spikes only once a year, if that, with one of my other pools and there was never any issues with it, I just added small amounts to adjust the ph when required. Sorry if this sounds stupid lol. Re: Raise ph to bring it down again 2May 26, 2018 6:26 pm Hailsm We've had pools for over 10 years now and each time we take water to the pool shop to be tested were told to put excess amounts of ph up in the pool then a few hours later put near equal amounts of ph down. I know spiking ph can help to kill any nasties living in the pool however is it really necessary all the time? We got a brand new pool a week ago and were told to raise ph with 2kg of ph up then add a liter of acid a few hours after, I took a water sample today and was told to do the same thing. Is there something wrong with just adding a little ph up or down to adjust the levels slightly without using so many chemicals? Is their technique just a money spin most of the time? I did ph spikes only once a year, if that, with one of my other pools and there was never any issues with it, I just added small amounts to adjust the ph when required. Sorry if this sounds stupid lol. It’s a money spinner . The people who supply the chemicals to the pool shop supply and calibrate the testing computer . It’s in their interest to supply maximum amount of chemicals . Their is rarely a need to raise ph of a pool . It rises naturally . In most cases the clarifier and water sparkle and chlorine for a saltwater pool is also a waste of money . Chemical cost for a well set up 7m pool should be around $60 per year . Re: Raise ph to bring it down again 3May 27, 2018 7:12 am wheeliworks Hailsm We've had pools for over 10 years now and each time we take water to the pool shop to be tested were told to put excess amounts of ph up in the pool then a few hours later put near equal amounts of ph down. I know spiking ph can help to kill any nasties living in the pool however is it really necessary all the time? We got a brand new pool a week ago and were told to raise ph with 2kg of ph up then add a liter of acid a few hours after, I took a water sample today and was told to do the same thing. Is there something wrong with just adding a little ph up or down to adjust the levels slightly without using so many chemicals? Is their technique just a money spin most of the time? I did ph spikes only once a year, if that, with one of my other pools and there was never any issues with it, I just added small amounts to adjust the ph when required. Sorry if this sounds stupid lol. It’s a money spinner . The people who supply the chemicals to the pool shop supply and calibrate the testing computer . It’s in their interest to supply maximum amount of chemicals . Their is rarely a need to raise ph of a pool . It rises naturally . In most cases the clarifier and water sparkle and chlorine for a saltwater pool is also a waste of money . Chemical cost for a well set up 7m pool should be around $60 per year . I need to go back next week and get it tested again and I'll be asking the reason behind adding all these chemicals, I'm interested to hear what they say haha. Re: Raise ph to bring it down again 4May 27, 2018 9:26 am If it is a fibreglass pool you only need to test chlorine and ph regularly . Buy yourself a good test kit it only takes about 2 minutes to do . There is only 2 possible actions required 1- add acid to lower ph 2- adjust salt chlorinator up or down The alkalinity rarely changes but is worth testing seasonally . If your pool is concrete you have calcium hardness and alkalinity is important to test regularly . Re: Raise ph to bring it down again 5May 27, 2018 11:40 am oh dear, you have been pool shopped as an experiment take a sample to each pool shop in your area or have a friend bring in a sample from your pool an hour later and pretend it is from their pool, note ph will change and free chlorine will be slightly lower more than an hour later and compare the results wander over to troublefree pool https://www.troublefreepool.com/content ... e?tabid=40 and learn what you need to know their premise is in quality testing and adding only what your pool needs usually using chemicals from box stores like bunnings you will require a quality test kit either taylor k2006c http://www.poolvacparts.com/taylor-fas- ... -size.html or clear choice labs https://clearchoicelabs.com.au/product/ ... alt-water/ you need the fas-dpd test my chemical usage went from $100-$300 per pool shop visit to $150 per year with salt water generator there is a lot more to looking after pool chemicals to keep it safe not just algae free after a short time you will learn how each chemical works in relation to other chemicals if you arent sure just post your test results and what kit you used and the experts will advise you how to proceed i cannot have enough praise for how much i learnt at TFP here is a post i made of my clean pool before and after TFP https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads ... -after-TFP at TFP your water is clean if you can drop a coin in the deep end and tell if it is heads or tails Re: Raise ph to bring it down again 6May 28, 2018 10:45 am aussieta oh dear, you have been pool shopped as an experiment take a sample to each pool shop in your area or have a friend bring in a sample from your pool an hour later and pretend it is from their pool, note ph will change and free chlorine will be slightly lower more than an hour later and compare the results wander over to troublefree pool https://www.troublefreepool.com/content ... e?tabid=40 and learn what you need to know their premise is in quality testing and adding only what your pool needs usually using chemicals from box stores like bunnings you will require a quality test kit either taylor k2006c http://www.poolvacparts.com/taylor-fas- ... -size.html or clear choice labs https://clearchoicelabs.com.au/product/ ... alt-water/ you need the fas-dpd test my chemical usage went from $100-$300 per pool shop visit to $150 per year with salt water generator there is a lot more to looking after pool chemicals to keep it safe not just algae free after a short time you will learn how each chemical works in relation to other chemicals if you arent sure just post your test results and what kit you used and the experts will advise you how to proceed i cannot have enough praise for how much i learnt at TFP here is a post i made of my clean pool before and after TFP https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads ... -after-TFP at TFP your water is clean if you can drop a coin in the deep end and tell if it is heads or tails Re: Raise ph to bring it down again 7Nov 15, 2018 12:31 pm Hailsm aussieta oh dear, you have been pool shopped as an experiment take a sample to each pool shop in your area or have a friend bring in a sample from your pool an hour later and pretend it is from their pool, note ph will change and free chlorine will be slightly lower more than an hour later and compare the results wander over to troublefree pool https://www.troublefreepool.com/content ... e?tabid=40 and learn what you need to know their premise is in quality testing and adding only what your pool needs usually using chemicals from box stores like bunnings you will require a quality test kit either taylor k2006c http://www.poolvacparts.com/taylor-fas- ... -size.html or clear choice labs https://clearchoicelabs.com.au/product/ ... alt-water/ you need the fas-dpd test my chemical usage went from $100-$300 per pool shop visit to $150 per year with salt water generator there is a lot more to looking after pool chemicals to keep it safe not just algae free after a short time you will learn how each chemical works in relation to other chemicals if you arent sure just post your test results and what kit you used and the experts will advise you how to proceed i cannot have enough praise for how much i learnt at TFP here is a post i made of my clean pool before and after TFP https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads ... -after-TFP at TFP your water is clean if you can drop a coin in the deep end and tell if it is heads or tails Thanks for your advice I'll definately head over to that page and do some reading thank you. I've never been a fan of pool shops and their way of making money, every time I've had water tested at any pool shop they tell us to raise the ph super high to only bring it back to neutral. The only reason I'm getting the pool shop to test my water is to get the print out records for warranty purposes on the pool shell. Hi, realize I'm a bit late to the conversation, what was the final result? Interested to know Thanks Matt ok thanks - yes was wondering if that should have been listed as Option Three! 2 7742 i had the my concreters concrete right up to the fence. I have pits all along my path, so the water tends to drain away from the house and into the pits. There's only one… 7 12773 How long is a "long period"? For a few weeks, it should be ok. It also depends on the area you live in...I would let your neighbours know that you will be away too and… 1 28573 |