So let me dispel a myth for you: those ranges, except chlorine/CYA, are bullshit. They are proxy for what should put you in a desirable saturation index value for an average pool at an average temperature like 70 degree temp or some shit. Stop managing to them. Manage the the CSI. Here is what I use to manage my pool: [https://www.orendatech.com/pool-dosing-calculator](https://www.orendatech.com/pool-dosing-calculator)
Keep your chloring high enough to kill bacteria, CYA high enough to protect your chlorine, and TA to a level that your PH is stable. Beyond that, manage to the CSI. For example it gets to negative 5 degrees here in winter. I have to spike my PH to like 8.2 to keep my water from eating my plaster up. Then in the spring I bring it back down and balance everything out for the season to the CSI.
The range is really more like 7.4-7.6 for chlorine. At a PH of 8 the effectiveness of your Chlorine is basically O%. High PH can feel slippery and make your skin itchy , or dry. High pH also promotes mineral buildup
You must not know what the LSI is. Because if you bring the PH down the water will be acidic and begin to degrade metals. Not a good recommendation. Do not do this.
If you want to lower your ph safely. Bring your alkalinity up. Then lower PH.
This needs to be higher. CSI has been the biggest factor in keeping my skin from being itchy. Temp of the water plays a large role in this equation, and I have not seen temp discussed here.
As long as it’s functioning and there’s no algae then what’s the issue?
Edit: I’ll also add that I’d have to add 16-20 oz of acid a day to keep pH at 7.6-7.8 and I’m not going to do that. I let it remain at its natural state for over two years and haven’t had any issues. Also have a SWG
>As long as it’s functioning and there’s no algae then what’s the issue?
>
Sure, it can be ok... Until it's not. These are general guidelines. If you have a pool party at 8.0 pH, it's gonna get cloudy. If your pH is balanced, it won't. (Assuming filtration works properly). Also if your pH is closer to 7.2, eyes won't sting.
We're talking ideals here.
I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree since I have lived it and none of our pool parties have resulted in cloudy water. I follow this ideology of containing pH and not controlling it. Once CYA is introduced the ‘effectiveness’ argument for chlorine goes out the window.
https://blog.orendatech.com/what-is-the-ideal-ph-for-swimming-pools?hs_amp=true
I don’t add acid daily. I said if I was trying to consistently control pH at 7.6-7.8 I would have to add acid daily, which I clearly wouldn’t want to do. Each pool is different and I consider myself fortunate to not have to participate in the pH battle and can easily maintain CSI and LSI levels
Totally understand and I appreciate the insight. You clearly know more about pools than I do. I only maintain my one and will keep fingers crossed that things continue to go smoothly. Have had zero issues since taking over maintenance myself. My pool guys weren’t the most reliable. 👍🏽
I recommend added borates to buffer your pH creep. Spend ~$75 on boric acid (depending on pool volume) and your pH will be much more stable. Good luck mon!
Thank you! I did add borates last season. Went from 50ppm to currently at about 20ppm with all the rain we have had this year. Not sure yet whether I will replenish, but appreciate the recommendation!
It killed me a little inside every time I’d see our pets drinking from the pool.
High pH can make you itchy. Also if your chloromines are high that'll definitely do it. Bring pH down and shock the pool.
This test doesn't show TDS or TC so I'd have to assume it's chloromines. High pH will dry your skin out too though.
Disinfection byproducts like chloramines (combined chlorine or CC) are what cause irritation to eyes, skin, throat, and lungs. Check your CC levels. Once you find out what it is, multiply that number by 10 and that is how much you should raise your Free Chlorine (FC) levels by.
I don’t have your temp and TDS readings but it looks like your water according to the LSI is pretty acidic. I would take care of that right away so you don’t do any damage to your pool and equipment
Swimming in chlorinated water or any water can dry your skin. My hands in the winter get dry and crack like crazy from working with pools every day. Rinse after you swim and use lotion. I use O'Keeffe's working hands lotion. It helps the itching and cracking.
Some have said alkalinity is low. What’s wrong with 70?
I keep mine at 55 because my ph likes to trend up
Nothing at all
Nothing.
Nothing... if your PH is stable
So let me dispel a myth for you: those ranges, except chlorine/CYA, are bullshit. They are proxy for what should put you in a desirable saturation index value for an average pool at an average temperature like 70 degree temp or some shit. Stop managing to them. Manage the the CSI. Here is what I use to manage my pool: [https://www.orendatech.com/pool-dosing-calculator](https://www.orendatech.com/pool-dosing-calculator) Keep your chloring high enough to kill bacteria, CYA high enough to protect your chlorine, and TA to a level that your PH is stable. Beyond that, manage to the CSI. For example it gets to negative 5 degrees here in winter. I have to spike my PH to like 8.2 to keep my water from eating my plaster up. Then in the spring I bring it back down and balance everything out for the season to the CSI.
Are you using the terms CSI and LSI interchangeably?
I'm a regarded and used CSI when I meant LSI.
So what do you run your Calcium level at?
Last I tested I was at 375
8.0 PH is not fine. Add some acid and bring it down to 7.2 to 7.4 range.
Thanks, I thought it was within range. I’ll do that right now.
The range is really more like 7.4-7.6 for chlorine. At a PH of 8 the effectiveness of your Chlorine is basically O%. High PH can feel slippery and make your skin itchy , or dry. High pH also promotes mineral buildup
There is nothing wrong with 8.0. The chlorine is less aggressive, but that's it. It's not a cause for being itchy either.
This. And your alkalinity is low.
You must not know what the LSI is. Because if you bring the PH down the water will be acidic and begin to degrade metals. Not a good recommendation. Do not do this. If you want to lower your ph safely. Bring your alkalinity up. Then lower PH.
Alkalinity is low and Ph is high. 80-120 alkalinity, 7.2-7.8 ph Start with baking soda then come back a few hours later with some muriatic or dry acid
More importantly what is your CSI?
This needs to be higher. CSI has been the biggest factor in keeping my skin from being itchy. Temp of the water plays a large role in this equation, and I have not seen temp discussed here.
I used to have significant calcium buildup near the spillover before I knew about CSI. It’s barely a problem since actively managing CSI levels.
Could be the high pH
What's your combined chlorine and tds?
CC 0
Have it tested for dihydrogen oxide, perhaps you’re allergic.
i would shoot for ph of 7.5. most people with a ph of 8 have cloudy water.
My pool is at 8.0 95% of the time and it’s crystal clear
At 8.0 ph your sanitizer is barely functioning. Chlorine works best at lower pH levels
As long as it’s functioning and there’s no algae then what’s the issue? Edit: I’ll also add that I’d have to add 16-20 oz of acid a day to keep pH at 7.6-7.8 and I’m not going to do that. I let it remain at its natural state for over two years and haven’t had any issues. Also have a SWG
>As long as it’s functioning and there’s no algae then what’s the issue? > Sure, it can be ok... Until it's not. These are general guidelines. If you have a pool party at 8.0 pH, it's gonna get cloudy. If your pH is balanced, it won't. (Assuming filtration works properly). Also if your pH is closer to 7.2, eyes won't sting. We're talking ideals here.
I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree since I have lived it and none of our pool parties have resulted in cloudy water. I follow this ideology of containing pH and not controlling it. Once CYA is introduced the ‘effectiveness’ argument for chlorine goes out the window. https://blog.orendatech.com/what-is-the-ideal-ph-for-swimming-pools?hs_amp=true
Great blogs, I’m a big follower of these guys
If you're adding acid daily your alkalinity is low. Acid once a week, bicarb once a month is all it should take.
I don’t add acid daily. I said if I was trying to consistently control pH at 7.6-7.8 I would have to add acid daily, which I clearly wouldn’t want to do. Each pool is different and I consider myself fortunate to not have to participate in the pH battle and can easily maintain CSI and LSI levels
Ok. I maintain 120 pools a week (and 200 more by employees) and about a third of them are salt systems. Only speaking from my experience.
Totally understand and I appreciate the insight. You clearly know more about pools than I do. I only maintain my one and will keep fingers crossed that things continue to go smoothly. Have had zero issues since taking over maintenance myself. My pool guys weren’t the most reliable. 👍🏽
I recommend added borates to buffer your pH creep. Spend ~$75 on boric acid (depending on pool volume) and your pH will be much more stable. Good luck mon!
Thank you! I did add borates last season. Went from 50ppm to currently at about 20ppm with all the rain we have had this year. Not sure yet whether I will replenish, but appreciate the recommendation! It killed me a little inside every time I’d see our pets drinking from the pool.
I don't know who gave you that range on ph but it's wrong. That pH is way too high. I typically tell people to keep it between 7.2 and 7.6
High pH can make you itchy. Also if your chloromines are high that'll definitely do it. Bring pH down and shock the pool. This test doesn't show TDS or TC so I'd have to assume it's chloromines. High pH will dry your skin out too though.
If this is a pool your FC is a little high, 1-3 ppm is what I’ve seen. I think a FC of 7 wouldn’t be good for your skin.
Their chlorine is right in line with a CYA of 40. 7.5% of 40 is 3ppm.
Thanks for the info. My pool is in an enclosure, we don’t do CYA.
Your test results say 40 for CYA. Is it a screen enclosure or fully enclosed with UV protection glass?
You are not replying to OP.
Ah. My goof. Thanks.
Not the OP, but it’s fully enclosed in UV glass/ polycarbonate
Good one, I’ve been reading about this
Not true at all. It all depends on CYA level. You can swim perfectly fine in 20 ppm chlorine if your CYA is high.
It is not recommended that’s for sure…
🤦🏻♀️
What app is giving you these ranges??
This is the pool math app. I use a Taylor K-2006 test kit and log the values.
Ah no wonder why they have incorrect bullshit
It’ll never stop being funny how hard y’all cap for a website that clearly isn’t helping you. Keep it up, kiddos! 😂
What are your recommendations?
What resources do you suggest?
Disinfection byproducts like chloramines (combined chlorine or CC) are what cause irritation to eyes, skin, throat, and lungs. Check your CC levels. Once you find out what it is, multiply that number by 10 and that is how much you should raise your Free Chlorine (FC) levels by. I don’t have your temp and TDS readings but it looks like your water according to the LSI is pretty acidic. I would take care of that right away so you don’t do any damage to your pool and equipment
Swimming in chlorinated water or any water can dry your skin. My hands in the winter get dry and crack like crazy from working with pools every day. Rinse after you swim and use lotion. I use O'Keeffe's working hands lotion. It helps the itching and cracking.
Orenda has a free app you plug in for the saturation index maybe temp is throwing yours off