I tried both types of acid. The pH Minus (dry acid) and then the muriatic acid. I did not have much luck at all with the total alkalinity (TA) dropping with the dry acid. When I used the muriatic acid the TA dropped within a couple of days. So to answer your question I'd have to say the muriatic acid. It is much cheaper ($12 a case) at Leslie's Pool Supply and probably cheaper other places. The muriatic acid was also quicker and had better results.
You have to know what you are doing. The addition of muriatic acid lowers the pH and total alkalinity in swimming pools.
Use Muriatic acid or Alkalinity minus to get your akalinity in line. It should be around 100 ppm. Caution this will also bring your pH down to. Then use 20 mule team borax that you can buy at any grocery store in the soap asle to raise the pH. This wont afect your alkalinity. Good Luck TS
It could be, but sounds more like hi alkalinity. Check your TA ( total alkalinity ) It should be between 80-120 ppm. You can bring it down using muriatic acid if you need to.
There are 3 principal chemicals for lowering pH: muriatic acid, sodium bisulfate (dry acid) & CO2. If this is a commercial application then CO2 may be a viable source. The sodium bisulfate is dry acid which when mixed with water makes liquid acid but does not have the odor. Muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate both lower total alkalinity at hte same time as lowering the pH. CO2 may raise total alkalinity at the same time as lowering pH. The total alkalinity is important to have a stable pH which in turn is important to have a relatively constant pH for the proper effectiveness of the sanitizer (chlorine) Any other questions feel free to email me direct. Steve Dunn Commmercial Pool Systems, Inc.
phenolphthalein alkalinity is due to hydroxide n carbonate salts in water...nd total alkalinity is mainly due to bicarbonate salts in water..
Promotes rust and eats into some non ferrous metals However you cant get out of using it if you have a pool and it is nothing to be concerned about as the concentration in pool water is extremely low
See the Related Links to the left for the answer. Some concrete testing labs have used it to get the dried cement off of their tools.
Improperly sanitized water or excessive rainfall can cause a low total alkalinity level in your pool. Low total alkalinity can cause pool staining, itchy and burning eyes and skin, and corrosion of metal parts in the pool.
You know acid is pretty much acid. However there are different concentrations of dry acid. Look for something 88-100% active ingredient. 100% would be the most efficient. This is very safe to handle but cannot be effectively used to lower the Total Alkalinity. The other option is Muriatic Acid or a product call Aqua Magic. Muriatic Acid is hazardous to handle so use gloves and goggles. The Aqua Magic is safer to handle but still use gloves and goggles. This form of acid is more cost effective and can be used to lower the Total Alkalinity if necessary.
Improperly sanitized water or excessive rainfall can cause a low total alkalinity level in your pool. Low total alkalinity can cause pool staining, itchy and burning eyes and skin, and corrosion of metal parts in the pool.
Chlorine will not raise the total alkalinity level in a pool. However, if you are trying to raise the total alkalinity, you can add small amounts of baking soda.
No