Adjusting Ph and Alkalinity in your pool

In this episode I will show you how simple it is to increase or decrease the pH and alkalinity of your swimming pool.
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CLICK HERE to order a chlorine tablet floater:
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or
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Hope you’ll subscribe to my channel and also, please check out my website poolschooler.com for exclusive DIY pool maintenance tools and more direct and priority communication with my for your pool maintenance needs.
DIY Pool Care

[@normancordovez6418]

Hello Pool School. I started having problem with my swimming pool and a friend suggested to get on You Tube to find all the answers. And that is why I'm here. You are a big help. I wanna give you a huge thank you. You're a great.

[@pmventura41]

Several years later but I’m sure your info still applies. Thank You....

[@Bearlove63]

Thank you Kenny, we are new pool owners and your videos are so very helpful, keep them coming!

[@PoolSchooler]

Will do. Keep on watching and sharing.

[@fdolloff3776]

New pool owner here and this was an excellent and simple to understand explanation of the pH and Alkaline process. Thank you

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad it helped. Hope you'll subscribe to my channel. And if you can, also hit the thumbs up "like" icon for that video. It really helps.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I wish I saw your video before I put a gallon of muriatic acid into my 40,000g pool. My ph went from around 8 to about 6. Dummy I am. Finally dumped in enough borax to fix that problem. Never rush again. Great video

[@peterbagyinka1140]

Watch you each time I still learn it them! God bless!

[@francomacias8904]

Excellent Video, Thanks a Lot for sharing!!!

[@_Paul_N]

I’m currently in training as a pool technician, and your videos helps me so much. You’re very precise on the amounts of chemicals that are needed to be added and it’s the little things that will take you far.

[@Brasshound480]

Grab a Taylor commercial test kit and study the book like it's the Bible.

[@AlexGarcia-xg5qy]

@@Brasshound480 a⅚⁵5⁵

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you and I wish you much success on your new venture as a pool tech.

[@douglasj8341]

Awesome no fancy crap talk 2 look important direct 2 the point easy to grasp Luv it wish i found ur channel before i found the other 30 buggers

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you for the complement.

[@kaylaumana3917]

I agree

[@karmaline]

Great video. First person who can explain in laymen’s terms.. thank you..

[@PoolSchooler]

I did a video on that. Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3SYi4x9Z5yNapo. It should be very helpful

[@SilentNoMore64]

You're a lifesaver! Thanks for helping me get my pool right. : )

[@greghull3189]

Thank you for this great informative video. Very easy to understand for us weekend warriors who maintain our pool.

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad it was helpful. Please do subscribe to my channel and share it with friends and family.

[@philjerwil7]

After watching so many of these, I now feel like a pro after your explanation. Man, you did it with such confidence til I now have have some too...Thanks!

[@PoolSchooler]

Phillip Williams glad yo hear that.

[@bountyfarmchickfarmchick4658]

Thank you Kenny!!!!! I will be following you for my pool care needs!!!

[@PoolSchooler]

bountyfarmchick #farmchick thank you.

[@TimHPop776]

Always great to rewatch this video! Thanks!

[@PoolSchooler]

I'm glad it's helpful. But as I said in this video, sometimes you need to raise one and w/out raising the other or some variation of that idea. I did several videos on raising one w/out raising the other and visa versa and the opposite (lowering one w/out lowering the other etc). Hope you'll watch those as well. Perhaps I should create playlists based on subject matter to help people find them easier. What do you think?

[@123lenu]

Thank you for the video. Local pool store sold me Phos Free type for 60$. Will follow your advice strictly from next time.

[@DanielGarcia-gq5ge]

I wish my Pool contractor could have sent me this video the day after my pool was built. Thanks for building my confidence, just vacuumed and added some acid to my pool. It’s a bit intimidating at first.

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad it was helpful. It can feel a bit daunting but if you take it one step at a time you'll have your pool "wired" in no time.

[@thomasx6749]

Very useful, thank you!

[@cardo1111]

Good info. Our local Chain pool store always wants to sell you every chemical often doing a “free water test” or if you tell them what your problem is. The Taylor K-2006 water testing kit should be a staple in every pool owner’s arsenal. If you plan on doing your own pool maintenance.

[@amybug544]

Thanks Kenny, this video is very helpful.

[@PoolSchooler]

You're welcome. And thank you for watching and commenting.

[@louisg4845]

Great video - accurate - concise - easy to remember

[@PoolSchooler]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Please subscribe and share the channel if you feel so inclined. I much appreciate it.

[@fergferguson7370]

Nice...good simple information

[@krizthianvalencia]

Thank you so much Mr Kenny very helpful

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad to help.

[@jessea4280]

Another great video. Alkalinity and PH is super high in my pool.

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad this video is helpful.

[@TimHPop776]

Very good. Thank you.

[@flex_007]

Your vid saved my summer. Ty so much👍🏊‍♂️

[@PoolSchooler]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope you’ll subscribe to my channel and share it with everyone you know who owns a pool.

[@janellelongwe1778]

Thank you. This was very helpful!

[@PoolSchooler]

So glad to hear it. Please subscribe to and share my channel.

[@Firekid144]

I wish I watched your video before...We bought a house with pool and not having idea how to take care of it, my wife went to a Leslie pool and come back with a bunch of unnecessary chemicals, I had to learn online and figure out that only muriatic acid, chlorine and baking soda are needed. Thank you for posting the video.

[@normandofranca5430]

Great video, I learn a lot. Thanks

[@PoolSchooler]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and please do subscribe and share.

[@kalinamckee-koa-puna-kona]

MAHALOS for explaining so simple!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you.

[@themanorSka]

Superb info thanks 👍

[@sheilah6585]

Thank you for teaching me!

[@romandutch4608]

Thank you for explaining it really good, it was really helpful new sub

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad it helped. Hope you’ll subscribe and share and please check out my website poolschooler.com.

[@stanbernal2789]

Great video !!!!

[@judythornburg1131]

Great video. Thank’s

[@andrewtaylor5421]

Thank you for this.

[@paulwolfrey821]

Thanks kenny.Paul from Virginia.

[@PoolSchooler]

You're welcome

[@ByronRivera]

Awesome! Thanks for the information!

[@PoolSchooler]

You're welcome. Please subscribe.

[@terrynichols7602]

Thank you for adding the additional information and warnings. Very professional. Have you ever thought about doing this for a living? Lol.

[@tritran8582]

Thank you so much, learning a lot and fired my bad pool service.

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad to be of help. AND glad you were able to DIY and save your hard earned $$. Hope you subscribe to my channel and share it. ALSO I've got exciting news coming early spring so stay tuned and turn on notifications for my channel.

[@ryancoleman4155]

Yeah hi Kenny my name is Ryan I just started doing cool things on Thursday and your videos help or will help I'm just learning thanks

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad to hear it. Hope you'll subscribe to and share my channel AND please check out my premium DIY Pool Service website poolschooler.com for special exclusive pool service tools, checklists, product lists and direct chats with me to help you along the way.

[@domcap70]

Also that scoop is a 4lbs scoop for bicarb. And soda ash is about the same density. That size scoop is as follows: 1 lb of de, 3lbs of Cal hypo, 3lbs of cya (conditioner/stabilizer) and 4lbs of bicarb and soda ash.

[@MALEK-xi6cv]

Thanks!

[@natural-born_pilot]

Thanks for the great video it was done very well. I noticed you use all major steps taught top instructors such as your brief repeat of all the important items and steps. I was always told the amount of acid to add for high ph depends on the total gallons of your pool. For my pool of 12,000 gal I'm always instructed to add no more than 16 oz and to dilute the muriatic acid in pool water together in a bucket before adding it to the pool water.

[@TimHPop776]

Adding Muriatic Acid!! Level was over 9.0. 🙄 So, I will add 1 qt and see where we are in a few hours. Thanks

[@sheilakelemen6985]

Thank you for all the information

[@PoolSchooler]

You’re welcome, and I hope you will subscribe to my channel and share it with your friends.

[@fireflylight101]

Thanks for the video. My pool is much better now.

[@PoolSchooler]

So glad to hear that. Hope you'll subscribe to and share my channel. Also please check out my website poolschooler.com

[@paulmonroe6460]

Good information thanks for the video

[@PoolSchooler]

Paul Monroe you’re welcome.

[@elitheblogger1002]

Thank you for your advice! well, explain!

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad to be of help. Hope you will subscribe to my channel and share it with others.

[@rayheider3519]

Good info..thanks

[@GhostBoogieBaby]

Man!! I'm wrecking my brain about how to reduce the alkalinity in my pool. Great video!!

[@PoolSchooler]

To be more precise I'd recommend watching this video specifically on raising or lowering the Alkalinity without affecting the pH too much. Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGGtXoKZpMiAhtE I think it will be most helpful.

[@GhostBoogieBaby]

I might need a better filter system. It's still cloudy from hair products.

[@adaelder1925]

So happy I found u Kenny 💓 💗

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad you did too. Hope you you'll subscribe.

[@TimHPop776]

Great reference video!! 👍

[@PoolSchooler]

Thanks for watching.

[@mikepearson5751]

Good job

[@maryannebeyer8934]

Excellent .. Thanks kenny ..

[@PoolSchooler]

You're welcome. I hope your subscribe to my channel and share it with your pool owning friends and family.

[@peterbagyinka1140]

Happy new year!

[@PoolSchooler]

And to you as well.

[@yousifalqallaf8095]

great man just great video .. keep it up

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you Yousif. Hope you will subscribe and for more $$ saving tools and stuff check out my website poolschooler.com

[@carlosbarrera8847]

Thank you.

[@jackelectricman]

Two things.... You should mention that when adding a quart to 2 quarts of acid, you should correlate that to how many gallons of water is the pool Also, muriatic acid is available in various concentrations. I have seen it from as low as 19% to as high as 63%! So the concentration will definitely affect how much acid you need to add. Thanks

[@tweetiebird]

online pool calculators are great bc you can enter your test numbers and it tells you how much you need to add based on pool size and many other factors including outside temps and the saturation index (water balanced)

[@jamiewhite6593]

Do you have a link for an online calculator for this?

[@jeremypierce1708]

Thanks for your knowledge. Great video!

[@Carriel5547]

THANK-YOU!! Finally some straight understandable answers :)

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you for your comment. I'm glad the videos are helpful.

[@chiliverde29]

You made it simple

[@seniorhazard]

You are awesome! These videos are great, man!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you. Glad they are helpful. Hope you subscribed.

[@seniorhazard]

@@PoolSchooler I just did :)

[@PoolSchooler]

@@seniorhazard Thank you I appreciate it.

[@jakeclubinc]

Great video, thanks!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thanks for watching: Hope you’ll subscribe to my channel and also, please check out my website poolschooler.com for exclusive DIY pool maintenance tools and more direct and priority communication with my for your pool maintenance needs.

[@petermuradyan1701]

Thank you it really helps

[@PoolSchooler]

Hope you'll check out poolschooler.com

[@IamSquidword]

Thanks Kenny ALWAYS informative and easy to understand 👍

[@PoolSchooler]

Dave P. Thank you for watching Dave.

[@celgibson7219]

Great. Thanks

[@PoolSchooler]

👍

[@seascape0881]

Thanks so much for this information! Keep the videos coming. 😊 Also you kind of mentioned after adding 1 quart of muriatic acid it is safe to swim, is that the same for 2 quarts or do you need to wait longer? And what about soda ash on swimming after?

[@PoolSchooler]

Typically it should still be safe, BUT if someone is very sensitive to chemicals (some people react very badly to even low amounts of chlorine to the pool etc, you may want to run the equipment for an hour or two after before swimming.

[@powerwizard8903]

You are almost correct. Sodium Bicarbonate is best to increase Alkalinity with only a minimal increase in pH. Sodium Carbonate significantly Raises pH with only a small increase in Alakinity. Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) will significantly raise pH with NO Changes in Alkalinity or Calcium carbonate - but add only in small diluted amounts to avoid pH shock (Milky Water) for a few days. Have been running pools for over 30 years.

[@PoolSchooler]

PowerWizard thanks for the clarification. Much appreciated.

[@olgalongi1086]

The soda ash is saying to dilute it but to fist turn off the pump, re-test in a couple of hours and if PH if normal to then turn on the filter and to clean to filter. Do I have to turn off the pump and clean the filter. The filter was just clean yesterday??

[@boardrfolif3]

@@PoolSchooler you should pin this plz!

[@PoolSchooler]

boardrfolif3 how do I do that.

[@jamesmorris7074]

Well done!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you. Hope you’ll subscribe to and share my channel.

[@josenieves2368]

Thank you . you help alot

[@PoolSchooler]

You're welcome. Glad the videos are helpful.

[@tacticalsmokebreak]

Thank you so much. Subscribed!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you for subscribing.

[@richiek597]

Are you talking about a salt based swimming pool?

[@fonsitosantoshernandez9125]

Kenny thanks a lot for share your experiences and talent with us. Personally I learned the basics with you. Thanks. From Puerto Rico.👏

[@PoolSchooler]

Fonsito Santos Hernandez i am happy it has been helpful. Thank you for your encouraging words.

[@jjoser62]

Thanks Man!!

[@PoolSchooler]

You're welcome. Hope you subscribed.

[@effseven87]

my man, thanks so much

[@PoolSchooler]

You're welcome. Hope you'll subscribe and check out my exclusive member DIY pool maintenance website www.poolschooler.com

[@alexpalette]

Thanks man.

[@PoolSchooler]

Youre welcome. Please share my channel with your friends and remember to subscribe.

[@angelluna2938]

Huh looks like you have the same size pool i just got..but still learning love my cool 😎 pool.

[@PoolSchooler]

Hope you'll subscribe. Also, for more great money savings DIY Pool Owner stuff check out my exclusive member website poolschooler.com

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Thank you for the information I will go and pick up some bicarbonate now 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼low ph and alkalinity 🫣

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad to hear it. I hope you’ll subscribe to my channel and share it with everyone you know who owns a pool.

[@arcorob]

I am slightly confused. My PH is slightly low and alkalinity slightly high ..so how do I ADD to reduce alkalinity but not further lower PH ?

[@imAgreza]

Great videos. Helping a lot. What kind of hat is that boss? It’s sharp

[@PoolSchooler]

I got it at WalMart several years ago. They just had a bunch of them for sale and I picked up a couple.

[@skybox-101]

Thanks

[@PoolSchooler]

You’re welcome.

[@burtonsingh]

Useful. Thanks.

[@MegaIata]

Thank you man

[@PoolSchooler]

you're welcome.

[@ruffcuts12]

Love all the info from your videos! Question, Is it ok to put the chlorine tablet in the skimmer basket rather than a free floating chlorine disperser?

[@PoolSchooler]

You can occasionally but I'd not do it regularly. The table(s) will erode much more quickly when the pump is running and because the tablets are in direct contact with the plastic skimmer basked, it'll wear out your basket much quicker. I'd suggest the floater for your regular chlorine tablet use.

[@boardrfolif3]

Chiming in - you'll also have a higher level of chlorine than you'd want in the plumbing after the skimmer, causing quicker deterioration of path between skimmer and return. Aka your pump and filter will be taking a beating. Worth the $30 investment of a floater, they don't look so bad you hardly notice it after a while

[@peterbagyinka1140]

Hi sir! I have a reading problem?i made my testing with the testing kit (the little testing bottles & the color test device) and i needed 9 drops of#3 which gives me90 ppm! Now this #of 90 is my water reading from the pool what i have ppm in my pool orthats the amount i have to rise! Shop tested the water it came out 78 ppm i need 80_1 2 0 ppm! Completile confused!

[@PoolSchooler]

Peter Bagyinka Hi Peter, this is exactly why I suggest using test strips. But usually test kits or test strips give you a reading of what your current ppm is not what it should be. Usually on the test kits with the liquid colors there is a color bar to the side of the tube that you run the test in to tell you what the color should look like at a certain level.

[@tomrizzo1554]

Sodium bicarb effects alkalinity alot and pH a little sodium carbonate effects pH alot and alkalinity somewhat. No need to use anything but sodium bicarb which doesn't cloud up the pool and Raises alkalinity and pH enough to be acceptable . And I'm sure you said this already but balance alkalinity first because it keeps the pH from bouncing around when alkalinity is stable.. very informative video thank you

[@PoolSchooler]

Tom rizzo Thank you for the information.

[@vcg2134]

Is it possible to have high alkalinity say 240 and low ph say 6 at the same time?

[@PoolSchooler]

Vincent Grant I’ve seen it happen once or twice out here. What I did was add granular Acid to get the Alkalinity down and then soda ash to bring the ph up. Anyone else whose experienced this and know what to do please chime in.

[@vcg2134]

@@PoolSchooler Thanks, I recently started cleaning pools and came across this situation. Love your videos and appreciate the response.

[@tomrizzo1554]

@@vcg2134 no

[@Optimization_Coach]

Is there a way to lower pH WITHOUT LOWERING TA? I have a rock feature in the pool and balancing the 2 has been impossible with my copper ion system. Right now TA is 80 but pH is 8 and when I try to lower pH ... TA also comes down sadly!

[@PoolSchooler]

I did a video on this. Here's. a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omiUepyfadqNnbs. Hope it helps.

[@crfmusician]

Hi Kenny...great tutorial videos... Question: i have 2 types of water testing, a deep stick and a testing tube droops. The stick says PH and Alkalynity is high and droops says it's ok ...how do i deal with this .thanks in advance.

[@PoolSchooler]

There often are slight variations in the readings you get from different test kits and/or strips so as long as they are not dramatically different you should be fine. Remember you're keeping those levels in the ideal "RANGE" so you have some wiggle room.

[@Peter-Alexander]

Thanks Mr Kenny. I have used acid for quite some time to lower pH in my swg pool. Would you advise to turn off the swg when I have added acid? I was thinking of H+ ions (of the acid) reacting immediately with OH- inside the swg creating water 😅. So making the acid less effective. Up to now I have always let it switched on...

[@PoolSchooler]

@@Peter-Alexander unfortunately it doesn’t appear that I am as well-versed in chemistry as you are. However, in my experience, I have never been taught or heard of or done myself turning off the SWG adding acid to the pool.

[@judytomblin3594]

The soda is the very best

[@MrKevingore]

we have a intex pop up pool. it hold 1018 gal of water. we need to add acid, so i watched this video. I will get the liquid do I just do a cup at a time given the pool is not inground or super large? Also, I got a chlorine floater and did the math on the amount of tablets. They have been in the floater for 24 hours and the tester says add chlorine. How long before the chlorine will register? A friend from work said to put the cholorine in my filter vs a floater. does this make a difference.

[@PoolSchooler]

I'd suggest just a cup at a time with that size pool.

[@AaaBbb-vy7zh]

Hi what if my ph is 8.0 and the Alkalinity is 64 what would u recommend? Thank you

[@PoolSchooler]

I would suggest watching these two videos of mine. Adjusting the Ph of your Pool: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omiUepyfadqNnbs Adjusting The Alkalinity of Your Pool Water: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGGtXoKZpMiAhtE

[@terriewjohnson]

My test strips are showing high alkalinity (highest color, 240 range) and the pH is low (second-lowest level: 6.8). What would I do with this? Bring up the pH and let the alkalinity stay at a high reading? Or work to drop the alkalinity with muriatic acid, and subsequently lower the pH, and then bring up the pH with a pH-Increaser?

[@PoolSchooler]

Drop the alkalinity by using Granular Acid (your pool supply store should have it). Bring that down first then ad soda ash to bring the Ph up, keeping an eye on the alkalinity.

[@babybear4524]

If I have the arm and hammer clear pool tablets how many do I use for a 10000 gallon pool and do I put them in the filter or the chlorine holder? Thx

[@PoolSchooler]

This video might help kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXPMh6Z-fbOUiZofeature=shared

[@MrBeast9000]

i just tell everyone to pee in the pool when my PH is too high

[@PoolSchooler]

MrBeast9000 😂😂😂😂

[@Miss247irishbabe]

Lmmfao

[@tamarakamler3392]

😂

[@BlakeDumas]

Way cheaper 🤫

[@jddeefo1022]

Water warms up too!

[@johnnybravo508]

Question my pool is a 20k gallon pool and ph /alkalinity are at the high readings ph 8.4 do I start with the 2qrts of muriatic acid? Thank you!

[@PoolSchooler]

That’s what I start with. Run your pump motor for an hour or two during and after retest at that time and repeat as needed till it’s in the ideal range

[@grassthief1280]

Hello how about if you need to lower PH & raise TA, what do you use without affecting the other also which 1 do you adjust first 👍

[@PoolSchooler]

I did two separate videos (one on each) for situations where the two don't always "line" up. They're pretty short. Here's links: Ph: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omiUepyfadqNnbs Alkalinity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGGtXoKZpMiAhtE Doesn't really matter which one you adjust first.

[@Jrbrass]

Question: This year. went from 20 year plaster to Pebble Sheen. For some reason, I have yet to put in Muratic Acid. Seems with the new Pebble Sheen, the PH & Alkalinity is always low. I don't pee in my pool, yes is Arizona it rains. The only thing I can think of is it's my suntan lotion that is causing my PH & Alkalinity to always be low. So, it seems like I'm always putting in baking soda in order to maintain the right balance of PH & Alkalinity. Love your videos by the way. Myself and all of us learn so much from them. Is this normal? Thank you!

[@PoolSchooler]

It could very well be the chemicals used in the pebble sheen. I remember a 3m plaster that used something in their plaster that caused the pools ph and alkalinity to always be low. So it may be something similar. It may improve over time.

[@steven.h0629]

Question for Kenny: Howdy Kenny.. I'm curious about rubber / plastic / pvc longevity when constantly exposed to the Sun. I see your pool in the background, and you zoom in on the PVC portion the wraps (loops) around the support frame rails.. the 'loop' is exposed to the sun. Does that portion harden, crack, deteriorate? Do you have to take measures to prevent Sun damage?

[@PoolSchooler]

They do indeed. Most above ground pools don't last more than 4 years in the intense Arizona sun/heat. I'm sure if you covered the "rails" with something like a foam cushion or something it would extend the life but typically there's really not a lot one can do. That pool came with a "tarp" cover but putting it on every night etc was a pain and increased the heat so we never used it.

[@steven.h0629]

@@PoolSchooler Thanks Kenny! 🤜💥🤛

[@yogidemis8513]

My first time using chemicals in a above ground pool. I figured what the hell, usually I'd just screen out grass and junk and change the water once every 7 to 10 day's, even tho I'm not using the pool everyday. It's definitely a learning experience for sure.

[@PoolSchooler]

Depending on the size of the pool that may be a lot of water to dump every week or so.

[@tamarakennedy4976]

My pool is cloudy and im cleaning my filter twice up to 4 times a day. Help..my alkalinity is high my pH is low.

[@PoolSchooler]

I have specific videos for alkalinity and ph. For alkalinity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGGtXoKZpMiAhtE For Ph: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omiUepyfadqNnbs