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If you find that the pH readings are too high, it might be time to add some muriatic acid to the pool. Keep in mind that the ideal readings for pool water are between 7.2-7.8, which means that anything higher may call for acid.
How often should I add muriatic acid to my pool?
You should add muriatic acid when the test is 7.9 or higher. After adjustments to pH and other chemical parameters the water will stabilize and you will find that the pH does not need adjusting as often. Then you can drop back to testing pH once a week, but never less than that.
Should I add chlorine or muriatic acid first?
You should never add chlorine and muriatic acid at the same time. The muriatic acid will react with the chlorine in your pool and create a deadly gas called hydrochloric acid. You need to wait for a minimum of 30 minutes, after you add the acid, before adding any chlorine to your pool.
How long after adding muriatic acid can you swim?
After Adding Muriatic Acid Muriatic acid can create a hot spot of acid in the water that could potentially burn or irritate your skin. It is best to wait 30 minutes after adding it to your pool.
Do you run the pool pump when adding muriatic acid?
Turn Your Pump To Circulate Set your pool pump to circulate before adding muriatic acid. This will help disperse the acid in your water when you add it. You should also turn off any water features, including aerators and fountains.
Will muriatic acid clear up a cloudy pool?
Cloudiness Due to Elevated pH You may be able to clear the water by adding muriatic acid to lower the pH. Circulate the water for an hour, and then recheck the pH. Add more if needed. If the pool is still cloudy after the pH is lower than 7.8, you probably need to floc.
Can you add muriatic acid and chlorine to your pool at the same time?
Chlorine & Muriatic Acid Perhaps most important note of all, never add chlorine and muriatic acid together in the pool. This creates a dangerous toxic gas that can have severe health consequences if inhaled.
How long does it take muriatic acid to lower pH?
It will take 24 hours for the muriatic acid to react with the existing balanced pool water. Remember never to pour muriatic acid into your pool. Dilute part of the muriatic acid in a bucket of balanced pool water, and then pour it into your pool. “Dilution is the solution,” Dukes says.
How long do I wait between adding pool chemicals?
Wait times for adding pool chemicals The wait times between adding pool chemicals is usually around 10 minutes each, as that is also sufficient time for the chemicals to mix in the water. Users also under normal conditions can swim roughly 10 minutes after adding chemicals.
What does muriatic acid do to pool water?
Along with balancing the pH levels of your pool water, muriatic acid is strong enough to kill mold, remove rust stains, get rid of calcium deposits, and clean the surfaces of your pool.
Does muriatic acid raise pH?
Muriatic acid lowers both pH and alkalinity. To raise alkalinity, add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). This is different from sodium carbonate (soda ash).
How much muriatic acid do you add to lower pH?
The amount of muriatic acid needed to decrease pool pH will depend on your pool’s water volume, pH level and alkalinity level. Remember that when you lower alkalinity, the pH will follow. You’ll need approximately 35-60 fl oz of muriatic acid per 10,000 gal of water to reduce alkalinity by 10 ppm.
Why does my pool need so much acid?
Why do Swimming Pools need acid? The reason we add acid to swimming pools is reduce the pH (Potential Hydrogen) of the water. The pH is always slowly rising due to either chlorine being added manually or produced through salt chlorination.
How do I lower the pH level in my pool?
To bring down pH, use a made-for-pools chemical additive called pH reducer (or pH minus). The main active ingredients in pH reducers are either muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate (also called dry acid). Reducers are readily available at pool supply stores, home improvement centers and online.
How do I make my pool water blue?
1. Shock the pool with chlorine every day until all the green is gone (possibly 3 to 4 days). 2. Run the filter 24 hours a day and backwash every day until the green and then cloudiness is gone (usually up to 7 days, sometimes as long as 2 weeks depending on the filter).
Will muriatic acid lower hardness in pool?
If draining and floc don’t work, you can add muriatic acid as a last resort. It won’t actually reduce the water’s calcium hardness, but it will raise the saturation level, which can help bring the water back into balance.
How do you handle muriatic acid?
→ When handling muriatic acid, always wear protective gear, including wrap-around eye goggles, dual-cartridge respirator, face shield, acid-resistant rubber gloves, rubber boots, pants (not shorts), and long-sleeved shirt. → Always dilute muriatic acid in water; never use it full strength.
How long does it take to lower alkalinity in pool?
All you have to do is add muriatic acid to lower both totally alkalinity and pH, then aerate the pool to balance pH out. It usually takes me an average of 48 hours to get perfect balance of total alkalinity and pH.
