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There is NO way to lower TA without lowering pH. Slugging acid in a pool with the pump off will have EXACTLY the same effect as walking the acid around the pool AND can cause damage to pool surfaces. When you add acid you convert bicarbonate (TA) into carbonic acid. This action lowers both pH and TA. Carbonic acid is basically CO2 dissolved in water. If you let the CO2 gas off the pH will rise (since the amount of carbonic ACID) in the water is lessened) and the TA will stay where it is (since we cannot form more bicarbonate).

To lower TA safely without causing damage to pool surfaces:

1. drop the pH to 7.0 and no lower with acid ( use an acid demand test in a good test kit to do this)

2. aerate the water to gas off CO2. (fountains, waterfalls, turning the eyeballs upward in the returns to break the water surface, having a 'splash party' in the pool, or anything else that disturbs the water will work. ) The aeration will cause the pH to rise. When the pH is above 7.4 test the TA. (it won't move much at first but will eventually start to move if it is very high). If the TA is still too high repeat from step 1. When the TA is where you want it you are done.

To sum this up:

The main component of TA is the bicarbonate in the water

The act of adding the acid lowers BOTH the pH and the TA by converting bicarbonate into carbonic acid (basically carbon dioxide dissolved in the water). It lowers pH much faster than it lowers TA

Allowing the carbon dixoide created by lowering the pH to gas out of the water causes the pH to rise again because the amount of carbonic ACID in the water decreases. However the amount of bicarbonate does not increase so neither does the TA.

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Q: How do you lower the alkalinity of a pool with muriatic acid without affecting the pH?
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How do you lower alkalinity but not change pH in a swimming pool?

Initially, you can't. What you do to lower alkalinity is first lower the pH to under 7.2, but not lower than 6.9. Then you aerate the pool, by creating bubbles with your brush, or by running a water feature, if you have one. This will lower your alkalinity. Maintain this lower pH and aerating until you get your alkalinity where you want it. Then retest your pH. If it is now too low, you add Mule Team Borax, say a 1/4 a cup, and then retest. The borax will raise your pH without raising your alkalinity. See the poolforum.com for more help if needed.


How do you lower alkalinity and raise pH?

To lower the alkalinity in a pool you can use PH Minus or Muriatic acid. When adding pour into one spot in the deep end of the pool away from circulation, make sure the circulation system is running. Do not apply near metal fittings or near the pool skimmer. Also make sure you follow directions when using the product.ANS2Can't be done. It is like slowing down while you run faster. Lowering the alkalinity is the same as decreasing the pH. The less alkaline the water, the lower the pH.


How do you lower the pH level?

liquid muriatic acid


Can you use sodium bisulfate to lower TA?

Sodium bisulfate (AKA sodium hydrogen sulfate or sodium acid sulfate) is an acid that will lower pH. If you lower the pH of a swimming pool buffered with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and maybe cyanuric acid (stabilizer), your alkalinity will go down, along with the pH. But usually, what people want is to lower the alkalinity (or TA) without lowering the pH. When you lower the pH on a carbonate buffered pool, you convert some of the carbonates into carbonic acid, where they no longer contribute to the measured alkalinity. But, as soon as you raise your pH, the carbonic acid switches back to carbonate, and your TA goes right back up with the pH. To actually LOWER the alkalinity, you have to lower the pH, and then REMOVE some of the carbonic acid, which you can do be aerating the pool, since carbonic acid is a form of carbon dioxide gas.


What is the common name for HCl when used to lower pH in swimming pools?

Muriatic acid

Related questions

How do you lower alkalinity in spa?

A small of amount of muriatic acid


Your alkalinity is really high How do you lower it without lowering the pH too?

pH refers to the level of acidity or alkalinity. less than 7 is acidic, more than 7 is alkaline. if you want to lower your alkalinity, add muriatic acid. It will lower the pH though


How do you lower the alkalinity in a 21ft round pool?

1-2 gallons of muriatic acid will break down the buffer solution(alkalinity in the water). Will then probably have to raise pH back up


How do you lower the alkilinity of a swimming pool?

You have to know what you are doing. The addition of muriatic acid lowers the pH and total alkalinity in swimming pools.


How do you lower pH in pool naturally?

Use muriatic acid to lower your pH. Be mindful of your alkalinity also as the muriatic acid will lower it too. You need both (actually everything in balance) pH 7.2-7.8 Alk 80-120


Which is better to use to lower Total Alkalinity level Muriatic Acid or pH Minus?

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.


Is powder conditioner used for the same result as using muratic acid?

No, conditioner is added to water to help mantain chlorine. Muriatic acid is used to lower pH or alkalinity.


What are the alternatives to using muriatic acid to lower the PH in a swimming pool?

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.


How do you lower alkalinity but not change pH in a swimming pool?

Initially, you can't. What you do to lower alkalinity is first lower the pH to under 7.2, but not lower than 6.9. Then you aerate the pool, by creating bubbles with your brush, or by running a water feature, if you have one. This will lower your alkalinity. Maintain this lower pH and aerating until you get your alkalinity where you want it. Then retest your pH. If it is now too low, you add Mule Team Borax, say a 1/4 a cup, and then retest. The borax will raise your pH without raising your alkalinity. See the poolforum.com for more help if needed.


How do you lower alkalinity and raise pH?

To lower the alkalinity in a pool you can use PH Minus or Muriatic acid. When adding pour into one spot in the deep end of the pool away from circulation, make sure the circulation system is running. Do not apply near metal fittings or near the pool skimmer. Also make sure you follow directions when using the product.ANS2Can't be done. It is like slowing down while you run faster. Lowering the alkalinity is the same as decreasing the pH. The less alkaline the water, the lower the pH.


How does rainwater affect alkalinity?

lower it


What does muriatic acid do to metal?

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