New Pool with High Ph

[cottagethyme]

We have a three week old 5250 gallon pool. We didn't get a cover right away. We have an oak tree close overhead within 10 ft. I have changed and cleaned filters 3 times, added chlorine each change, ran the pump a few hours a day, most days, cleaned the debris on the bottom more than a few times, and it's looking pretty good now. The Free Chlorine is 3 ppm (OK), the pH is 8.0 down from 8.5 before the first shock treatment 2 days ago, and a good rain today. Total Alkalinity is 120 ppm (OK). Any advise regarding the pH?

[Expert Pool & Spa]

pH is always better a bit high than a bit low. I would leave it alone. It will fall on its own, with the use of chlorine and rainfall. We would suggest running the pump for 24/7 and utilizing a pool chlorinator installed near the pump/filter. You dont mention if it is an above ground pool or not. You dont mention what type of filter you have i.e. sand, cartridge, d.e.. The tree location wold be irrelavant other than a nusiance. We have pools with trees all over the top of them and, although it makes more work for the pool cleaner, the pools still look great and have some shade around them!

[cottagethyme]

The circulator uses a cartridge filter that I have been hand cleaning and reusing twice now. It uses 1" chlorine tablets and I will begin to run it continuous as suggested. Thanks for your help!

[Expert Pool & Spa]

This sounds like a "$150" wal-mart above ground pool....???

[cottagethyme]

$300.00 above ground pool (on sale) but we are happy with it. I have learned that there is upkeep and extra expenses like cover, filter and chlorine, but for about $500.00 it should be able to be used for a few years - my hope. It is just me and my wife - no kids.

[Expert Pool & Spa]

It is a good start!