How to add muriatic acid

[BullDean]

I have recently purchased a vinyl Intex pool..

It is 18' x 48".....

My PH is at 8.3...

I purchased some muriatic acid after the pool dealer recommended it...

just not sure what the best way to add it is...

Vinyl lining, pump not very strong, and filter cartridge...

A. How to add the acid

B. Should I be running the pump when adding.. I believe this is a yes from the research I have done on this site..

C. Will the acid cause any problems with the filter cartridge..

Thanks

BullDean

[Watermom]

A. Add the acid slowly in front of the return jet. Be careful not to splash it on you or the liner and don't breathe the fumes.

B. Pump should be running.

C. I don't think it should. It will quickly dilute itself and your cartridge filter will not be exposed to a high concentration of it.

Hope this helps. BTW - welcome to the forum!

[BullDean]

Thanks for the response..

Just added my second dose.... about 12 oz....



Any idea how much I can add at a time and how long it might take..


My pool is about 5000 gallons and my pH is currently 8.2


BTW I noticed you are from Charleston..

I live near Columbus, OH...

But I lived my first 18 years in Clarksburg which is about an hour south of Morgantown, WV...



Thanks again

[aylad]

How much you're going to have to add and how long it will take depend on your T/A........

Janet

[BullDean]

Well I have gotten my PH down to about 7.2 / 7.4

Took 2-3 days and a gallon of acid...


Now that I have the ph this low.. Is it ok to keep adding the muriatic acid when needed.. Or should I switch to a pH decreaser...

[waterbear]

Muriatic acid IS ph decreaser. The other stuff (dry acid) is sodium bisulfate and it creates sulfuric acid when dissolved in water. It is not as effective as muriatic acid and costs more. Doesn't really matter which one you use but most of us on the forum use muriatic.
As long as you don't pour either one into the skimmer it won't hurt your cartridge filter.