How To Add Muriatic Acid To A Pool To Lower pH

[@ericlindberg9236]

What pool guy doesn't have a bucket on them?

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

I'm sure every pool guy has an empty bucket. I have one on my truck that I use to pre mix Fiber Clear when I do a filter clean. Time is money in this business and I don't waste my time getting a bucket out of my truck and have to carry it while I wheel my cart to the pool. No thx i'll take 3 sec and use the pole it does a better job. Plus on the days I use my Hammerhead there's no way i'm going to carry a bucket and my pole.

[@nelsonocasio2462]

I think most new pool owners don't, I agree having a bucket is a must.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

@@nelsonocasio2462 Again guys I have buckets. The point of this video is NOT about having a bucket. It's about the proper way to pour acid in a pool. Just so everyone knows the new standard now is pour slowly and mix.

[@Harley04]

I'm watching this because the pool shop where I get my water tested recommended the bucket procedure so I'm checking it out to understand the theory behind it. Previously I have only ever poured acid straight, very very slowly over the return jet area while the pump running so I could see that it was being mixed and dispersed immediately. Really, I don't see the advantage of using a bucket but I'll try it for a few months, and on into summer here in Australia.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

By using a bucket all you're doing is premixing the acid B4 you pour it in so it doesn't column down. Pouring the Acid slowly over a strong return line is also a good way to add Acid BC it is not going to the bottom of the pool. My method is good as well BC it also mixes the Acid in the pool to create the most stable pH. All methods work and the end game is the same. The important thing is do not just pour the Acid in and let in column down and sit there where it's a pH of 3.

[@Harley04]

Ah, very good, I had an idea that was the theory; dilute it and disperse it so there is no concentrated acid, roger, roger. I have a great bucket so will continue to use that to keep my water tester happy! Thanks

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

If you want put up your reading and I'll let you know how the water is. pH, Alk, Conditioner lvl, Calcium Hardness and TDS.

[@ben-vf]

Thanks for that. I have auto salt chlorinator. I have heard that you shouldn't add various chemicals to the pool at once. My question is, can I dose my pool with acid while the chlorinator is running? Same goes with buffer on other occasions? My system doesn't seem to give me an easy option to run it without it producing gas.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Yes just add the acid on the opposite side of the skimmer and either mix with the pole or pre mix in a bucket. If you need a pH buffer to bring back up the pH you're adding to much acid I never use soda ash or a Bicarbonate to readjust. If you have a pool spa combo remember you can use your spa to raise pH without affecting the Alkalinity. Yes do not mix these chemicals soda ash, bicarb, and calcium Chloride. It's best to always wait 3 hours before you add a second chemical.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Also want to mention if your Alkalinity is high your pH will tend to rise more. What are your readings? If you have a at least a 350 CH level you can drop your Alkalinity to 90 which will help the pH from going to high. But if your conditioner is high you can't go to a 90 Alk.

[@ben-vf]

My readings are generally around the mark . I keep my Alkalinity between 70-90 for the reason you stated. To be honest I haven't been using conditioner for the past four years. I keep CH levels between 2-3 PPM . I adjust the auto chlorinator depending on weather and or loads . Funny though , I bought some today and intend using this summer. (Southern Hemisphere)

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Conditioner is a pH buffer help with pH drop. Out door pool should have at least 30 to 50 ppm of conditioner. Was that a 2 or 3 ppm CH? I hope not. In a plaster pool you need a minimum of 150 ppm but 350 is ideal for CH.

[@ben-vf]

Swimming Pool Chemistry Done Right, I will check when I get home . Thanks for your time.

[@killabee2878]

Why can't you add it over the jets?

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

You can if you have a strong pool return just pour it in slowly over the return.

[@quantumaquatic1767]

Thanks bud I will definitely try this out I work for pool cleaning and am having hard time lowering pH. We have to add all chefs at once if needed unfortunately but I always add the acid first and isolate the chlorine in one slow area to give acid time to move. We also use bi carb too idk what I'm doing wrong to not lower ph when my other buddies can keep ph at 7.4 to the next week and I cant seem to do that.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

First I want to say thanks for the comment. Now just BC you have a pH of 7.4 doesn't mean you have a good pool and balanced water. Here is an example of that. Lets say my readings are 7.4 pH 80 Alk 50 CYA 300 CH 700 TDS and a temp of 70 degrees. i have a corrosive pool at -.30 and if thats a salt pool it's a -.50 very corrosive. I would need to a pH of 7.9 to be acceptable at -.02 good water. So you see just BC their pH is 7.4 that really doesn't mean anything unless all the other numbers offset the lower pH. I recommend getting the LSI app by Robert Lowry and work the numbers so you understand how all the numbers work together. One other thing is pH will never stay at 7.4 it always wants to rise to stay at equilibrium with the outside air. My guess is they're lowering the pH to low and by the time they show up it's back up to 7.4. Also remember the higher your Alk is the pH wants to rise with it. If you have really high CYA levels you can not have low Alk BC your true Alk will be way too low.

[@quantumaquatic1767]

Swimming Pool Chemistry Done Right tried your pole method today on my route, looks like it works well. I made sure to mix asap after pouring so it stayed at top colum making it easier to move around the pool so I dont got to stick the pole half way down and swish cause it would be harder and slower to do.

[@bridgetvanderbyl7000]

No gloves?

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Why would I need gloves?

[@bridgetvanderbyl7000]

Spray or splash on your hand? Burns

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Just be careful on how you pour it in. I have never had acid get on my hands from pouring it in the pool. Also if you plan on putting the bottle down on the pool deck make sure you rinse the bottle in the pool before you set it on the deck. I just make it a habit to never do that.

[@DirtyDrummer]

Because IT'S ACID!...not just any gloves, chemical resistant gloves.

[@P1983sche]

WRONG! Acid bottle never goes on the deck! Yeah, I know you said it’s “water” but you’re doing a “how to video.” I always have an empty bucket. I add acid to a bucket full of water, dump it towards the return jets and guarantee that the pump is circulating for at least a few more hours after I leave. My PH is always on the money...

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Don't act like just BC you use a bucket your pH is always good BC thats a joke. As I said B4 my acid NEVER hits the deck from cart back to cart. My pools are ALL BALANCED per the LSI. pH is just one step so when you say your pH is on the money its like who cares, what are all the readings. Way more to it than just pH. The major point like I said is HOW MUCH ACID IS USED. Using a bucket isn't keeping your pH on the money as you put it. All pools have off gassing which raises pH. pH is NEVER stable and you will never keep it at a certain pH unless you inject Co2 in the return line. Now a home owner on the other hand has a better chance BC he is there. Our pools have 7 days of off gassing so our pH will never stay down.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

I just want to make it clear to new pool guys and Home owners. It is NOT the bucket method that makes the pH drop it's the amount of Acid you use that is very important. There can be MANY methods of how to pour in the Acid but at the end of the day the goal is the same. Do NOT let the acid column down to the bottom.

[@dr.kennymakit1167]

Is this guy joking!?

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

What a stupid comment joking about what? The thing is the new method now to add Acid is to pour slowly and mix. Don't tell me you're the type that just columns the acid for Alk.

[@angelv7280]

Wait why do you want to add acid

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

pH rises BC of Carbon Dioxide off gassing. The Acid after it breaks down adds Carbon Dioxide back into the water to lower the pH and Alkalinity.

[@angelv7280]

Swimming Pool Chemistry Done Right oh ok thx

[@truelines4765]

Mad

[@TheMalerdaemon]

No one has a bucket? But everyone has pole! What a crock.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Have fun carrying that bucket with you on every job. I have better things to carry. By the way the new standard of using acid is pour slowly and mix. The top guys in this business saw my method and liked it. Good luck with the bucket.

[@TheMalerdaemon]

You state in your video "this is how they want you to do it" meaning, to use a bucket. Your way is to use a pole, because you're too lazy to carry a bucket? And I'm sure, too lazy to remove the net from the pole so you probably just pour the acid in.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

@TheMalerdaemon How old is that video? Didn't I say the NEW method is pour slowly and mix. LOL now you're making yourself sound stupid. People like you have nothing better to do than come on a channel and make yourself sound ignorant. No matter how hard you try you will never make me look stupid. Like I said good luck with your bucket...peace out keyboard warrior.

[@frankwiddifield7520]

Acid bottle on the DECK!!!!????

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Hello As I said in the beginning of this video this is not acid it is water. An empty bottle put into the pool and filled with pool water. When I normally use acid I take it straight from my cart use what I need then put it back into the cart. I don't even rinse the bottle in pool water and put it on the deck. Don't need any rings or stains. I guess I should've made myself more clear. Thanks!

[@frankwiddifield7520]

Yea I must of not heard that.... but if I were a uneducated person watching and seeing a pro set the bottle down I'd think its ok... I've fired people for leaving rings on deck.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Yeah thanks for the heads up. I just wrote something in the about section of this video as well. I appreciate the constructive input.

[@frankwiddifield7520]

I like seeing videos like yours. Being ITI as a repair tech for many years I've heard so much bad info from homeowners that some lazy/incompetent pool guy has told them. My favorite is tabs is the skimmer or pump basket, especially when the pool in 25+ years old and they have copper plumbing. Homeowners need more honest advice... keep it up 👍

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

Thanks! My next video will be about Tablets. I've been busy with this heat and I haven't had the time yet. But yes Tablets the most over used/missed used chemical on the market. I hope to be able to get a vid up soon. I myself never use them.

[@DirtyDrummer]

This is WRONG. First of all he is not dressed properly. You should be wearing long pants, boots, long sleeve shirt ( the clothes should really be chemical resistant also), good chemical resistant gloves, protective eye wear, face mask. Never add the acid straight to the pool like he is doing, he is splashing it all over the place. Never add it to water that has chlorine, it will create a gas....that gas will potentially kill you and any plant life it contacts. Add plain water to a bucket, then add the acid to that. SLOWLY pour the mixture into the pool and then brush the pool with your pool brush. There are more safety tips, read up before attempting this, do not do it like the guy in this video, you could be severely injured or killed.

[@swimmingpoolchemistrydoner5569]

I gotta LOL at this comment. First he isn't even a pool guy and second he subscribed to another pool channel that has a lady doing an acid wash on a pool with tennis shoes, shorts, sleeve less top and no mask pouring the acid mix on the plaster where you have a lot fumes and can splash on her BARE legs. She even stands inside the pool while pouring the acid without the proper boots, mask and long leg pants. Hey buddy I didn't notice your lame stupid comment on that channel what gives is she a friend of yours? Get a life!! COPY AND PASTE YOUR COMMENT ON HER CHANNEL I"LL BE LOOKING FOR IT. LOL NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO DO IT THIS WAY. Hey I know get a hazmat suit that way you will be totally covered.

[@KenMileyJr]

/facepalm.

[@frankwiddifield7520]

Anthony Graham yea cause pool guys walk around in hazmat suits..