Thanks To All!! Clear Pool At Last

[karenkr]

If I dont use acid what should I use(if anything) to lower my ph and TA? My test kit is the one from Walmarts. I read on there that the total hardness test is the measurement of calcium and magnesium carbonate in the pool. Am I testing for the wrong thing????
The brand of cal hypo is HTH and the bag says Super Shock with chlorine at 60%. Its on sale for 2.50 a bag, the gallon of bleach at 10% is on sale for 2.59 for a gallon. Is it still alright if I use the super shock?
Waterbear: you said the acid might harm my pool---what about the PH Minus? Ingredients state Sodium Bisulfate 92% and inert ingredients 8%.
Sorry I am so dumb about these things, it seems like I think I get things straight in my mind then something else pops up and CONFUSION sets in---maybe its an age thing(HA HA)
Anyway thanks for your help and PLEASE dont give up on me.
Karen

[chem geek]

You can use Muriatic Acid which is a liquid that you can pour slowly into your pool near a water return outlet so that will mix the acid quickly with your pool water to prevent damage to the plaster. I didn't know about the problems Evan (waterbear) mentioned about using dry acid, but it makes sense and fortunately Muriatic Acid is the best alternative. There isn't any other way to lower pH other than adding acid.

As for the test kit question, I'll leave that to waterbear since I am not familiar with the Walmart kit(s). If the test kit says it measures Total Hardness (which is Magnesium and Calcium) then that is not what is important to measure -- it is Calcium Hardness that you want to measure. Typically, Calcium is the larger component of hardness so if your total hardness was 400 then your calcium hardness might be 300, but you really need to do the right test to know for certain.

The Sodium Bisulfate is dry acid that waterbear is talking about so based on what he said, don't use that and instead get the Muriatic Acid which is a liquid that typically comes in a quart plastic bottle. [EDIT] I meant "gallon jugs" just like waterbear said below. It's getting late... [END-EDIT]

Are you kidding? We will never give up on you.

Richard

[waterbear]

yep, it tests total hardness...and there are some known issues with the test that have been discussed on the forum before so it is not the most accurate. It is not what you need. You need a calcium hardness test such as the one in Ben's test kit or a taylor K-2006

As far as acid goes, use muriatic...comes in gallon jugs. Be aware that this is just another name for hydrochloric acid so have some repect for it.

[karenkr]

I will get some muriatic acid tomorrow. I am assuming I can get it at Ace?
Oh and should I use the cal hypo or should I stick to bleach.
I have wanted to get Bens test kit or the Taylor kit but I have never ordered anything on line(we dont use or have credit cards) and have been unable to find the Taylor kit locally. We live in a small town and do not have a pool supply store. so I have to depend on Wally world or ACE. Next time we go to the big city "Tulsa" hope to be able to locate a pool store.
Thanks for the info and help--will let you know how it goes with the acid
Karen

[chem geek]

We really don't know what your Calcium levels are yet so stick to bleach if you can, though if you already have some Cal-Hypo you want to use up that's probably OK if it's only enough chlorine for about a month.

[waterbear]

I will get some muriatic acid tomorrow. I am assuming I can get it at Ace?
They should carry it...the one I work in does but we have a HUGE pool dept.
Oh and should I use the cal hypo or should I stick to bleach.
I have wanted to get Bens test kit or the Taylor kit but I have never ordered anything on line(we dont use or have credit cards)
Just a suggestion. If your checking account has a visa ATM card you can use that with paypal and order from Ben.
and have been unable to find the Taylor kit locally. We live in a small town and do not have a pool supply store. so I have to depend on Wally world or ACE. Next time we go to the big city "Tulsa" hope to be able to locate a pool store.
Thanks for the info and help--will let you know how it goes with the acid
Karen

hope this helps.

[karenkr]

Thanks Waterbear
I did find some acid, purchased a gallon. Our ACE store has a small pool supply area. No kits except HTH like I have.
I have not used Pay Pal either. Was wondering if I could send a check, guess I could email Ben and find out. He could wait until it clears if he wants.
Just added 28oz of acid, have 6 boys coming today for a swim party so hopefully that will work. How long does it take before I would notice a change in my PH and TA?
Thanks to you Chemgeek for all your help also
You guys have been great!!!!
Karen

[chem geek]

Chemicals you add to your pool usually mix rather quickly. Usually within an hour, your entire pool will have some of the chemical you've added to it. I did a test using some colored dye and found that when the pump was running and when I poured it over the return jet in the deep end, it spread fairly evenly throughout the pool within a half hour (most of it within 15 minutes).

Now there are some websites that I've seen that say you have to wait longer before measuring pH because it takes a while to stabilize, but I've never seen any chemistry justification for that. All of the reactions that I'm aware of in the pool are very fast (except for chlorine breakpoint). Only the slow pH rise due to outgassing of carbon dioxide is very slow and that will never stabilize since you always keep your pool intentionally out of balance in order to maintain a TA level (with a pH near 7.5).

So my opinion is that you can test your pool chemistry an hour after you've added chemicals and you are likely to get a decent result -- so long as you have your pump running the entire time.

Richard