You have to lower your ph down to 7 or 7.2, then aerate the water. As the alk goes down, your ph will rise. You must continue to add acid to bring down the ph to 7 - 7.2 and then aerate again. You do this process untill your alk is between 80 and 120. Muriatic acid works for ph or the dry acid for ph down. Not alk reducer. Hope this helps.