Acid Wash

[waste]

I just want to make sure anyone acidwashing their pool remembers the possibility of the pool floating while its empty!! If you've recently had torrential rains or had a lot of snow this winter that's just recently melted away... wait to drain the pool until the ground has had a chance to absorb all the water (your hydrostatic valve may or may not let enough ground water through to keep the pool in the ground!)

[waterbear]

The baking soda is not going to be as effective as soda ash in neutralizing the acid. I would not recommend it. You can use borax at about twice the amount of soda ash needed if you want but the soda ash should be less expensive (if you buy a 50 lb bag from the pool supply. It should be around $25-$35 in most areas.) Trying to save a few pennies here could cost you a replaster job in the end!