Lowering pH without using sodiium bisulfate?

[steveg_nh]

I found this in my SWG owner's manual (A hayward salt cell as part of the AquaPlus automation system):

NOTE: The use of dry acid (sodium bisulfate) to adjust pool pH is discouraged especially in arid regions where
pool water is subject to excessive evaporation and is not commonly diluted with fresh water. Dry acid can cause a
buildup of by-products that can damage your chlorinator cel

So what would you use them, to lower it? Of course what I have downstairs for lower is bisulfate, and carbonate for plus. I used some at the end of last year (the lower) so hopefully one time is ok, especially since I don't like in an "arid" area.

Thanks!

 

[Smykowski]

Muriatic acid. You can buy it at hardware stores, usually in the paint section.

 

[jblizzle]

Yup ... muriatic acid is the answer and what most of us use.

 

[steveg_nh]

Thanks. And to raise it, or is sodium carbonate ok? (That's basically baking soda right)?

Is there a specific concentration of muriatic acid you need? For instance, with household bleach, there's all the different types...

So wonder what I should do with the 8 pounds of Lower I have downstairs. LOL.

 

[duraleigh]

How to raise or lower pH (as well as the other parameters) is in Pool School. read "The ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry".

 

[JasonLion]

For muriatic you usually want 31%, which is 20 baume. Some places only sell it half strength, which is alright but usually twice as expensive (i.e. same price but you need twice as much).

For raising PH we normally recommend using Borax (the laundry booster), but you can use sodium carbonate/soda ash/washing soda if you want. Soda ash raises the TA more than borax does for the same PH increase. Sodium carbonate is not baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate and not good for raising PH (raises TA).

 

[steveg_nh]

Thanks. time for a run through pool school again! Killed me though how the pool stores sell all this stuff that is just the same as you buy elsewhere for about a 50% markup.

 

[JamesW]

Note that with a SWG, you should almost never need to raise the pH.

 

[steveg_nh]

Thanks. I need to go read more. I just noted that mention in my SWG manual and it got me thinking...my pH has dropped a bit though, as I'm trying to adjust CYA to keep FC where it should be. It's still in the ballpark of OK though.

 

[JamesW]

You will get a temporary drop in pH when adding cyanuric acid. That's about the only time. Even then, you should be ok without raising the pH. What is your TA?

 

[steveg_nh]

About 120 right now. A bit high.