TA of 160 low ph

[natbea09]

I have a total alkalinity of 160 which I rosefrom 20 by adding baking soda. My ph is 6.9. Will I be able to get it to the 7.5 area with my alkalinity where it's at? My pool is roughly 12,400 gallons.

[Denniswiseman]

I would suggest that your TA is high and although it will raise pH it will do constantly
Check out Chlorine / CYA Chart and Pool Levels, aeration will raise pH only
Adjust your levels with
Liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite or plain bleach)
Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) to lower pH and TA
Bicarbonate of soda to raise TA
Aeration will raise pH only
Soda ash will raise pH and TA

[natbea09]

Splash Pools 30700 Waterfall Pool Fountain https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026MTCOU/re ... dBb1XWZJ6Q

Would this make for a good aerator?

[natbea09]

And should I use 20 mule team borax to bring up the ph before adding the Muriatic acid so that my ph doesn't go too low?

[Denniswiseman]

Splash Pools 30700 Waterfall Pool Fountain https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026MTCOU/re ... dBb1XWZJ6Q

Would this make for a good aerator?

That looks ideal so long as the water goes into the air you are aerating it. I use a large pond aerator in my pool when necessary
I would hold off using 20 mule team borax and the muriatic acid at the moment and just aerate to raise your pH
The borax will raise TA as well as pH and you could start yo-yoing
Once you have a decent pH just monitor it for a while and if your pH continues to rise, lower it and your TA with muriatic acid, then aerate to bring your pH back up
Eventually you will find a happy level for your TA and pH
Don't overdo the lowering of your pH as it will make your water acidic
Check out Pool Maths to work out how much muriatic acid is needed to lower pH (and TA)

[natbea09]

Is the water still safe to swim in until I get the aerator and acid?

[Teapot]

What is your pool made of natbea09?
pH below 7 can cause some eye irritation.
What is your cyanuric acid (stabiliser) level?

[natbea09]

My pool is an inground 17x27 vinyl pool. I can test it again tonight and let you know what the cyanuric level is.

[Denniswiseman]

6.9 isn't much below 7. Perhaps wear goggles
Personally I would use it but forget the acid for a while
You haven't given a full range of numbers
FC:
TC:
pH:
TA:
CH:
CYA:
Your Chlorine level is relative to your CYA

[Teapot]

As your pool is vinyl, the alkalinity doesn't really matter. Alkalinity is important to pools with plaster or tiled finishes. Having an alkalinity above 60-80 usually means your pH will climb much easier than when it's lower around 40ppm. Obviously we need to take not of hardness etc. My pool runs around 38 for alkalinity and many of my customers around 20-25 this means the pH barely moves at all throughout the season. Sadly the industry doesn't yet differentiate between different pool construction. Using pucks which are known to be acidic could cause a pH issue but with bleach it's fine.