Muriatic acid distribution methods

I saw something on another pool site (NOT known for its water balancing advice) that adding MA in a single stream in the deep end would lower pH and alkalinity but that dribbling it around the pool would only lower pH and not have much of an effect on alkalinity.

This didn't sound right to me, but thought I'd put it out here to get the water-balancing experts' opinions. If somehow it IS true, well, then I'll definitely be changing my distribution method!

I broadcast mine while walking around the edge of the pool but I did hear a guy at the pool store explaining to a customer how to add it in 4 areas of the pool only. I'm not sure if he was trying to drive down his Alk or not .. I'll let the experts here inform us on the validity of this method.

I'm curious as well.

I was told that adding it around the perimeter of the pool would lower PH more than if you added it to one single spot in the deep end.

All are bad ways to add it and all are wrong with regards to the effect it has on the TA and pH. Muriatic acid lowers both pH and alkalinty regardless of how you add it. It is much heavier than water and sinks straight to the bottom and stays there unless you run the filter when adding it. Even then, you should take precautions to make sure it gets mixed in with plenty of water by either adding it very slowly in front of a return or mixing it with water before adding it to the pool.

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Originally Posted by JohnT

All are bad ways to add it and all are wrong with regards to the effect it has on the TA and pH. Muriatic acid lowers both pH and alkalinty regardless of how you add it. It is much heavier than water and sinks straight to the bottom and stays there unless you run the filter when adding it. Even then, you should take precautions to make sure it gets mixed in with plenty of water by either adding it very slowly in front of a return or mixing it with water before adding it to the pool.

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I had added the crystal/powder form and realized a couple of minutes later that my pump was off... never seen me move so fast.... I brushed the bottom to be sure it was well stirred too.

I believe the Taylor Test Kit user manuals refer to a 'slug' method of adding acid which is supposed to affect TA more than pH. However this has been debunked elsewhere on the site.

I put mine in a single stream in front of the deep end return with the pump on. I add acid on a regular basis and I watch the plume to make sure it is hitting the return jet and mixing in. For me, that is a little to the side of the jet....

Here is the thread that talks about the 'slug method' and here is a link to the paper that debunks it!

I pour it in front of the deep end return with the pump running.

Gargle , rinse , swish and spit...... :D