I know everyone says if I follow the "how to lower your alkalinity" thread exactly, it WILL work. HOWEVER, mine will not budge below 160. It went from 280 to 160 using this method, but no matter how much muriatic acid I add now, it won't budge. I'm aerating with a fountain that sprays out of my return and really seems to be bubbling and rippling the water. Also, we had a good rain last night too. Still not moving down. My PH went up from 6.8 to 7.5 with Borax. It went back down to 7.2 with the acid, and now back up to 7.5 with the aeration. I will add more acid to lower it again (no lower than 7.0 I know), and keep aerating I guess. I still don't understand why the ALK won't budge any further than the initial 120 drop from 280. If the water wasn't 64 degrees, I'd let my kids get in there to further aerate.