How do I lower the alkalinity in my pool?

Question

The alkalinity in my in ground pool (25K gallons) is very high. It takes 20 drops in the tester to produce clear test. I've already bought a new tester. My ph is normal. How do I lower the alkalinity without also lowering the PH too much? I have to add acid but won't that also lower th PH too much?

Answer 1

You can lower the alkalinity with muriatic acid. 1.3 pints per 10,000 gallons will lower it by 10ppm. 3.25 pints in your pool will lower it by 10ppm. To get to the level you need of approximately 100-120 you will need to use 26 pints of muriatic acid to reduce it by 80ppm or 3.25 gallons of liquid muriatic acid.

You are testing the TA and getting 200ppm for your inground pool right? Make sure you walk a perimeter around the pool while pouring this in and wear proper safety equipment (eye protection and gloves) as muriatic acid is a diluted form of hydrochloric acid. Make sure you turn off any automatic chlorinators or remove chlorine pucks/sticks from the pool and NEVER let muriatic acid come into direct contact with chlorine products. Once in the water it will play safe but outside of water it will create chlorine gas which will kill a human in a matter of minutes.

You can get muriatic acid from the pool store or a local hardware store (sold as a cleaning agent).

Answer 2

Turn off the pump, pour one gallon of acid into the deep end and wait about 5-10 minutes before turning the pump back on. Don`t spred the acid around, make sure you slowly pour it into one spot. Retest. Repeat if necessary. Yes it will lower ph, you can wait till its high to do this or increase it afterwards.

Answer 3

1. I would ask at the pool supply store. I'm sure they have something.
2. I thought that the ph scale measured acidity and alkalinity on one scale, with acid at one end and alkaline at the other end? If your ph is normal, then what's the problem???