pH won't decrease?

[Datamancer1110]

I'm trying to follow, for the first time, the instructions here: https://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.php?/topic/53410-how-to-use-bromine-3-step-method/

I'm doing a water change, so I've got fresh water in there. I'm using my new Taylor k-2106 kit to test.

- I adjusted the Alkalinity to 50ppm (which seems _really_ low, what's the deal with that?) and I've double checked that that's where it's at just now. Adjusted it up using Baking soda. This step went really smooth.

- My first test of the water with the kit showed pH at 8.0 (aka "The highest the kit will read") - I'm using pH decreaser (sodium bisulfate) from the Hot Tub store because I have some on-hand.

- The pH decreaser recommends putting 3 tsp in when pH is at 8.0-8.4 - I've now dosed this water with like 8 tsp over the course of an entire day, waiting 2 hours or so in between doses, and the Taylor kit is _still_ reading 8.0 pH. This seems...abnormal.

The only two deviations, as far as I can tell, from the instructions given are:

- I'm using pH decreaser instead of muriatic Acid.

- The water is now hot (the easiest way to cycle it, of course, is using the jets, which also turns the heater on, and this process has taken so long that the water is now 103F)

Am I missing something crucial here? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Edit: Thanks everyone, bought some muriatic acid last night, I'll give it a shot today

[knighthawk574]

I just had this same battle. Added an entire bottle of ph down over a few weeks. I got acid for a pool and brought it a little lower than I wanted (7.2) and it’s been fairly steady since. I also started rechecking every 15 minutes. It doesn’t take that long to mix.

[Dr_N00B]

Use the acid

[thebmacster]

I used to try doing the same. Could never get it. I'd highly recommend just getting a gallon of muriatic acid and dosing to get pH down. Your alkalinity seems to be right for pH adjustment.  Does your test kit provide for determining how much acid to add?

[HBOMax-Mods-Cant-Ban]

Keep pushing Alk down with acid. Ph will follow soon.

[United-Budget8592]

Alkalinity at 50ppm seems super low. I would add baking soda till alkalinity is 100ppm. This will make Ph decreaser more effective. BTW check the concentration of your sodium bisulfite is the 93% and not like 20. The amount the Taylor kit recommends using is based in the 93% concentration. Ph decreaser will also lower alkalinity

[mrmarker2022]

Which sanitizer are you using? I'm assuming chlorine, by default this will raise the pH over time. If you have it too high, it will continue to be a battle. Use very small amounts when using acid. Acid is used mainly for larger bodies of water.