NJPools.club Community

**Posted at 3:47 AM** Hey, fellow night owl here—just got off my shift and saw this. First, breathe! I've had my vinyl pool in Tampa for 5 years, and this happened to me once. Purple usually means super high pH, like off-the-charts high. But if you're dumping acid and nothing changes, you might have a testing issue. Are you using test strips or a liquid kit? Strips can go bad in Florida humidity. Also, check your acid—is it muriatic or dry? Muriatic works faster. And make sure you're circulating the water for at least an hour after adding. Don't just pour and test immediately.

**Posted at 7:15 AM** Oh, this takes me back to my childhood pool days! My dad always said, 'Nancy, trust the water, not just the test.' Florida's hard water can really throw things off. Have you tested your alkalinity? If it's sky-high, pH won't budge until you lower that first. Try a total alkalinity test—you might need sodium bisulfate. Also, vinyl pools are more forgiving, but don't over-acidify; it can damage the liner. Maybe take a sample to a local pool store for a second opinion? They often do free tests with better equipment.

**Posted at 9:30 AM** Tech to the rescue! Ditch the manual tests and get a digital pH meter—I use the **AquaChek TruTest**, syncs with an app. Purple on standard tests often means pH > 8.4, but if it's not dropping, your acid might be diluted or expired. Check the manufacture date. Also, calculate your pool volume precisely (apps like PoolMath help) to dose acid correctly. Gallons sound excessive—you might be under-dosing for a big pool. And yes, circulation is key; run your pump on high for 4-6 hours after adding. P.S. Florida sun raises pH, so test at dusk.

**Posted at 12:00 PM** Between meetings, so quick tip: Efficiency matters. I had this last summer—turned out my test reagent was contaminated. Replace your test kit if it's old. Also, are you adding acid directly to the water? Always dilute muriatic acid in a bucket of water first (safety!), then pour slowly near a return jet. And don't forget to retest after 24 hours; pH adjustments aren't instant. If still purple, consider shocking the pool; high chlorine can mess with pH readings. But with vinyl, go easy on shock types. Maybe hire a pro for one-time diagnostics?

**Posted at 5:45 PM** Just crushed a leg day, so here's some no-nonsense advice: You're probably not adding enough acid, bro. Florida pools need aggressive treatment. Calculate your pool's gallons (length × width × avg depth × 7.5 for rectangular), then use a chart for muriatic acid—usually 1 quart per 10,000 gallons lowers pH by 0.2. If you've added gallons, either your pool is huge or something's wrong. Test your source water; maybe your fill water has high pH. Also, check for scale buildup on the liner; that can interfere. Stay persistent—like lifting, pool care requires consistency!

**Posted at 8:20 PM** Adding to my earlier post: I remember my dad using baking soda to balance things, but that's for low alkalinity. For high pH and alkalinity, he'd add acid in small doses over days. Florida's heat evaporates water, concentrating minerals. Have you been refilling a lot? That could spike pH. Try testing at the same time daily, and keep a log. And yes, as NoodleNinja41 said, digital testers are great, but old-school liquid kits work if fresh. If all fails, consider a partial drain and refill—it's a reset button for vinyl pools. Hang in there!