Lowering alkalinity on the cheap

[Whetstone613]

I've been seeing a lot about how to substitute expensive pool store stuff with things like grass clippings and paper (j/k) but the one thing I do need--an alkalinity reducer-- doesn't appear to have a substitute.

Is that one of the things I have go to the stealer for?

I have a 20,000L liner pool and I test the alkalinity at 160ppm.

[PoolDoc]

Easy-peasy!

See:

http://pool9.net/alk-step/
http://pool9.net/ma/

[Whetstone613]

Actually, I've been through both of those pages, but all I can see are teasers about "acid" this and "acid" that, but I can find anything about what to look for. I've never seen a product called "muriatic acid" or any other kind of acid for that matter.

[PoolDoc]

I added source information to this page:

http://pool9.net/ma/

If you're looking for a "Alk Down" product, that you just add to the pool, and the alkalinity will be lowered, just go to any pool store, and they'll sell you something, that will contain some sort of acid.

But, unless you aerate, the effect of adding acid will be temporary.

[Whetstone613]

Thanks. Ok, maybe I was being a bit pessimistic not expecting to find anything called "muriatic acid". I'll go to some hardware store this week and see if they react to that keyword.
But what's this about aeration? Are you saying that I will need to do that only if I buy something from the stealer or will I still need to do it if I buy a substitute? Because I don't have the facilities to do that right now.

[Watermom]

You need to aerate either way. You can turn the eyeball on your return jet upward to ruffle the water as much as you and that will help to aerate it. Lowering alk is a gradual process.

[PoolDoc]

You didn't read the alkalinity page, did you? Shame, shame.

Time to read it!