Does Raising Alkalinity Raise Ph?

From a water balance standpoint and from a practical standpoint, a high alkalinity will continuously raise the pH. You will always be adding acid to a pool that has high alkalinity.

What should be adjusted first alkalinity or pH?

Remember that the alkalinity if set correctly locks the pH in place and gives you the ability control it. Preventing the pH from going up and down randomly. You should always adjust the alkalinity first to the 80-100 ppm range then the adjust the pH to the 7.2 to 7.8 range.

Does alkalinity affect pH?

In simpler terms, total alkalinity is a measurement of the water's ability to resist change in pH. In particular, alkalinity slows the reduction of pH. Too much alkalinity is actually a source of rising pH. The more alkalinity you have, the more acid it takes to reduce pH.