Doing waaaaaayyy to much acid

[STWMaintenance]

Hello,

I am currently having an issue with my pool that I can't seem to figure out. I am relatively new to the pool/spa game so if I am not clear I apologize. I am attaching my pools recent history if that helps with levels and what I added. So the problem I am having is I have had to add a ridiculous amount of Muriatic Acid. Like a gallon every day and my PH is still 6.9. What am I doing wrong or what I should do is beyond me so I am looking for a bit of guidance. I have a salt pool with heater that is 20,000 gallons. Thanks

Sep 28, 2022 at 09:30

Readings:
Free Chlorine: 3.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 700.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 100.00 ppm
Stabilizer: 90.00 ppm
pH: 6.90

Treatments:
854.45 grams of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:
Chems added


Sep 27, 2022 at 17:19

Readings:
Free Chlorine: 3.00 ppm
pH: 7.00
Total Alkalinity: 90.00 ppm

Treatments:
1.51 pounds of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:
Added chems


Sep 27, 2022 at 13:45

Readings:
Total Alkalinity: 120.00 ppm
Stabilizer: 0.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 1000.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 1.00 ppm
pH: 6.90

Treatments:
0.68 gallons of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
6.50 pounds of Cyanuric Acid
1.88 pounds of Sodium Carbonate
0.52 pounds of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite

Employee Notes:
Chems added


Sep 27, 2022 at 08:45

Readings:
pH: 7.80
Salt: 3220.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 125.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 725.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 5.00 ppm

Treatments:
108.31 ounces of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
39.32 ounces of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)

Employee Notes:



Sep 26, 2022 at 17:10

Readings:
pH: 7.00
Total Alkalinity: 100.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 2.00 ppm
Salt: 3220.00 ppm

Treatments:
117.93 grams of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite
683.56 grams of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:
Added chems


Sep 26, 2022 at 09:41

Readings:
Calcium Hardness: 600.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 120.00 ppm
pH: 7.40
Temperature (F): 75.00 degrees F
Free Chlorine: 2.00 ppm

Treatments:
2559.36 milliliters of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
117.93 grams of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite

Employee Notes:
Added chems. Still waiting on salt test


Sep 24, 2022 at 09:50

Readings:
Temperature (F): 75.00 degrees F
Free Chlorine: 3.60 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 100.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 700.00 ppm
pH: 7.20

Treatments:
341.78 grams of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:
Looks like the levels are starting to normalize


Sep 23, 2022 at 08:46

Readings:
Calcium Hardness: 650.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 5.00 ppm
pH: 7.20
Total Alkalinity: 120.00 ppm
Temperature (F): 75.00 degrees F

Treatments:
0.34 kilograms of Sodium Carbonate
2.56 liters of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)

Employee Notes:



Sep 22, 2022 at 16:36

Readings:
Total Alkalinity: 110.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 5.00 ppm
pH: 7.00

Treatments:
683.56 grams of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:
Added chems


Sep 22, 2022 at 09:38

Readings:
Free Chlorine: 7.50 ppm
pH: 7.20
Total Alkalinity: 120.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 575.00 ppm
Temperature (F): 75.00 degrees F

Treatments:
86.64 ounces of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
12.06 ounces of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:



Sep 21, 2022 at 16:29

Readings:
Free Chlorine: 3.00 ppm
pH: 7.00
Total Alkalinity: 120.00 ppm

Treatments:
2559.36 milliliters of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
683.56 grams of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:
Added chems


Sep 21, 2022 at 13:14

Readings:
pH: 7.00

Treatments:
683.56 grams of Sodium Carbonate
235.87 grams of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite

Employee Notes:
Added chems


Sep 21, 2022 at 09:12

Readings:
Calcium Hardness: 725.00 ppm
: 0.00
Free Chlorine: 0.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 120.00 ppm
pH: 7.20
Temperature (F): 75.00 degrees F

Treatments:
353.80 grams of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite
341.78 grams of Sodium Carbonate
2559.36 milliliters of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)

Employee Notes:
Added all chems


Sep 20, 2022 at 15:08

Readings:
Free Chlorine: 0.00 ppm

Treatments:
353.80 grams of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite

Employee Notes:
Added Chems


Sep 20, 2022 at 14:48

Readings:
Total Alkalinity: 110.00 ppm
pH: 6.90

Treatments:
1.88 pounds of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:
Chems added


Sep 20, 2022 at 14:41

Readings:
pH: 7.40
Total Alkalinity: 111.00 ppm

Treatments:

Employee Notes:



Sep 20, 2022 at 08:48

Readings:
Calcium Hardness: 725.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 0.00 ppm
: 0.00
Temperature (F): 75.00 degrees F
pH: 6.80

Treatments:
0.78 pounds of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite
2.26 pounds of Sodium Carbonate

Employee Notes:
Added chems


Sep 19, 2022 at 09:37

Readings:
Total Alkalinity: 90.00 ppm
pH: 12.00
: 0.00
Calcium Hardness: 725.00 ppm
Temperature (F): 80.00 degrees F
Salt: 3640.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 7.50 ppm

Treatments:
3.53 gallons of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)

Employee Notes:



Sep 17, 2022 at 10:01

Readings:
: 0.00
Temperature (F): 75.00 degrees F
Calcium Hardness: 700.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 5.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 90.00 ppm
pH: 7.60

Treatments:
4.00 Oz of PR-1000
580.78 milliliters of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)

Employee Notes:
Added all chems


Sep 16, 2022 at 14:19

Readings:
pH: 7.60
Calcium Hardness: 225.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 3.00 ppm
Temperature (F): 75.00 degrees F
Total Alkalinity: 90.00 ppm

Treatments:
4.00 Fl oz of PR-10000 Phosphate
580.78 milliliters of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)

Employee Notes:



Sep 15, 2022 at 16:56

Readings:
Total Alkalinity: 110.00 ppm
pH: 7.60
Calcium Hardness: 725.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 3.00 ppm

Treatments:
Drain Pool
580.78 milliliters of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)

Employee Notes:
Treatments done


Sep 15, 2022 at 09:56

Readings:
Calcium Hardness: 825.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 1.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 110.00 ppm
pH: 7.40

Treatments:
2240.75 grams of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite

Employee Notes:
Added bag of shock


Sep 14, 2022 at 14:47

Readings:

Treatments:
32.00 Oz of Metal Scale Remover

Employee Notes:



Sep 14, 2022 at 14:40

Readings:

Treatments:
8.00 Oz of Phosphate Remover

Employee Notes:



Sep 14, 2022 at 14:37

Readings:
Free Chlorine: 0.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 725.00 ppm
Salt: 3500.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 100.00 ppm
pH: 7.40

Treatments:
5896.70 grams of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite

Employee Notes:
Did not add chlorine. Turned generator up one level


Sep 14, 2022 at 09:17

Readings:
Salt: 3060.00 ppm

Treatments:

Employee Notes:
Forgot to add salt reading on last test


Sep 14, 2022 at 09:15

Readings:
Calcium Hardness: 575.00 ppm
Salt: 3500.00 ppm
pH: 7.40
Total Alkalinity: 110.00 ppm
Free Chlorine: 5.00 ppm

Treatments:
10.40 ounces of Sodium Thiosulfate
Drain Pool

Employee Notes:
Not changing anything. Cl is elevated due to shock added yesterday


Sep 13, 2022 at 16:56

Readings:
Total Alkalinity: 110.00 ppm
Salt: 3500.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 750.00 ppm
pH: 7.40
Free Chlorine: 5.00 ppm

Treatments:
10.40 ounces of Sodium Thiosulfate

Employee Notes:



Sep 13, 2022 at 09:56

Readings:
Total Alkalinity: 120.00 ppm
pH: 8.00
Free Chlorine: 0.00 ppm
Salt: 3060.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 775.00 ppm

Treatments:
Drain Pool
10.40 pounds of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite
0.46 gallons of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
0.68 gallons of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)

Employee Notes:
Added HCL and 1 bag of shock


Sep 12, 2022 at 08:49

Readings:
Free Chlorine: 2.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 120.06 ppm
pH: 7.80
Calcium Hardness: 700.00 ppm

Treatments:
0.68 gallons of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
0.31 gallons of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
Drain Pool
0.26 pounds of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite

Employee Notes:
Added both chems and water


Sep 10, 2022 at 08:32

Readings:
Free Chlorine: 1.99 ppm
pH: 7.40

Treatments:
0.26 pounds of 67% Calcium Hypochlorite

Employee Notes:
Turned up salt cell


Sep 9, 2022 at 16:16

Readings:
pH: 7.56
Free Chlorine: 2.04 ppm

Treatments:

Employee Notes:
Says good


Sep 8, 2022 at 15:23

Readings:
Salt: 3250.00 ppm
Stabilizer: 100.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 100.00 ppm
pH: 5.00
Free Chlorine: 5.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 120.29 ppm

Treatments:
9.04 pounds of Sodium Carbonate
0.65 pounds of Sodium Thiosulfate
Drain Pool
0.69 gallons of Muriatic Acid (15.7%)
36.00 pounds of 100% Calcium Chloride

Employee Notes:



Sep 6, 2022 at 08:47

Readings:
Stabilizer: 0.00 ppm
Total Alkalinity: 119.71 ppm
Free Chlorine: 5.01 ppm
Salt: 3500.00 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 1000.00 ppm
pH: 6.82

Treatments:
2.19 pounds of Sodium Carbonate
Drain Pool
6.50 pounds of Cyanuric Acid
0.65 pounds of Sodium Thiosulfate

Employee Notes:

 

[pjt]

Sodium Carbonate, Calcium Hypochlorite, Sodium Thiosulfate

Stop adding these things immediately. They are creating problems.

Stop chlorinating with cal hypo. Use liquid chlorine.

How are you testing?

Please fill out your signature when able.

A few sections for you to read:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[STWMaintenance]

OK. I just saw that it says we use Thiosulfate to lower Chlorine, we do not. We don' even have it but the rest of the info is correct.

 

[STWMaintenance]

Stop adding these things immediately. They are creating problems.

Stop chlorinating with cal hypo. Use liquid chlorine.

How are you testing?

Please fill out your signature when able.

A few sections for you to read:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

Hey, you live in the Woodlands? My mom lives by the woodlands mall, and I used to live in Sugarland. Back in Oklahoma now though. So Stillwater Oklahoma is not exactly the pool chem supply station for Oklahoma. There is 1 store dedicated to pools and spas, otherwise it is Walmart here I come. None of the stores in town sell liquid chlorine, heck I have trouble getting all my chems at times. But I am talking to ECOlab people about supplying us with the chems we need so hopefully they have it. I am testing using a normal liquid pool test kit. I test for Free Cl, Total Cl, PH, Alkalinity, Cya, CA Hardness. I test for salt using Aquachek dip sticks.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Which test kit do you use?

 

[pjt]

There is 1 store dedicated to pools and spas

Everything you need can be obtained elsewhere.

None of the stores in town sell liquid chlorine

Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. sells LC.

Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc. sells MA.

normal liquid pool test kit

That's not specific enough. What model test kit do you have?

I test for salt using Aquachek dip sticks.

Do you have a SWG?

Details about your pool are needed. Paint a picture for us.

 

[pjt]

Metal Scale Remover, Phosphate Remover

Stop adding these as well.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

WOW.... who told you to add all this junk? You've been sold a bunch of potions that can cause you a lot of problems down the road. We advocate for using four usually- Liquid Chlorine, CYA Stabilizer, Muriatic Acid and calcium for plaster/fiberglass pools only. That's it.

Does your heater have a bypass valve on it?

 

[gingrbredman]

So the problem I am having is I have had to add a ridiculous amount of Muriatic Acid. Like a gallon every day and my PH is still 6.9

The post title mentions using too much acid, but then you say your PH is "still" 6.9. Your PH is actually on the low side, why add muriatic acid if your PH is low?

What am I doing wrong

There is a lot of info you posted, but I do believe it is important to take a step back, and read some of the articles posted about the TFP ways of proper water care. Nothing in your posts, or follow up suggest you are following the TFP methods of water care...

I am testing using a normal liquid pool test kit.

I test for salt using Aquachek dip sticks.

Employee Notes:
Chems added

The long list of notes you pasted in the original post, are those from a pool care service? I have seen lists just like this from a friend who has a rental house and hasn't gotten on board with the TFP way just yet. He shows me the list, just like you presented, from his pool service, and he equally has crazy amounts of results, and equally crazy things put into his water.

It almost feels like a reset is needed, so no guess work is involved, and we can keep it nice and simple. No long list of test results that are probably incorrect. No crazy chemicals added that are not needed, and no need for a service or pool store to rely on and make things worse.

The TFP way of pool care is very simple. As others have posted above, it requires very little different chemicals, but more importantly, it is based on test results, from one of the recognized best tests, to determine what needs to be done. The first step in figuring any of this out, is get yourself one of the best test kits. Test Kits Compared I like the TFTest kits Pro, I think its the best bang for your buck, and if you have a SWCG, get the salt model. A little bit of price up front, but just by testing the water yourself, you would avoid the unnecessary expense of all those other chemicals and it will pay for itself.

Download the PoolMath app as well, use the "effects of adding" feature, and see how much liquid chlorine you should add to equal about 4ppm per day while you wait for the test kit to arrive. While you wait, take a look at those links above, really great info. When you get the kit, post up the results and you will be on your way to a really Trouble Free Pool in no time.

 

[Kaylee34]

I don't know who's testing your pool and with what but those readings are bouncing all over the place from day to day. I'd be seriously questioning the accuracy of any of them. It looks like you have a SWCG so if that's being used correctly tin conjunction with your CYA level, here should be no need for adding "shock" of any kind. All those chems are starting to look like a toxic stew.

Do yourself and your pool one of the biggest favors you can and get either the Taylor or TF test kit and fire the pool company.

 

[STWMaintenance]

Which test kit do you use?

Taylor K-2005

 

[STWMaintenance]

Everything you need can be obtained elsewhere.


Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. sells LC.

Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc. sells MA.


That's not specific enough. What model test kit do you have?


Do you have a SWG?

Details about your pool are needed. Paint a picture for us.

I think I see where the problem may be. You guys have been in this forum dealing with these issues for sometime. I literally have 1 month of experience in pools at all and none on here. So I don't know what info would be helpful for me to give you as I don't know what is important and what isn't. I am a quick study but please be patient with me as that is why I joined this Forum.

I am aware that I can order it the problem is I have little storage space so when I need a chem I need it now. I am looking at hiring a pool supply company to just deliver 1 a month but currently its all on me. We don't have Home Depot or an Ace Hardware. We have 3 Walmarts and I have been to them all and none have chlorine much less liquid chlorine, and we do have a Lowes and they do not have it in stock either. When I asked they said "you can order it but we don't stock it" so they may sell it but they don't have it in stock. The pool store we have in town is PoolWerx and they tend to be about as helpful as a case of crabs. They come across as looking down their nose at me as I don't know about pools therefore I must be a complete idiot. I have seen this same attitude about pools in other places too which doesn't invite me to want to ask questions, which may be their intent all along. But I am stubborn so I am going to catch up on this subject anyway no matter how snobby some are.

Don't know what a SWG is?

The test kit is Taylor K-2005 kit however I am shopping for a good digital tester currently.

I have put all the data I know of that may be helpful in my signature. Hope that helps.

 

[STWMaintenance]

WOW.... who told you to add all this junk? You've been sold a bunch of potions that can cause you a lot of problems down the road. We advocate for using four usually- Liquid Chlorine, CYA Stabilizer, Muriatic Acid and calcium for plaster/fiberglass pools only. That's it.

Does your heater have a bypass valve on it?

The Dang POOLWORX and the previous caretaker are who gave me all this Crud and told me when to add it. I am also using Pool Doctor to help track the levels and chems. That is good to know

 

[STWMaintenance]

WOW.... who told you to add all this junk? You've been sold a bunch of potions that can cause you a lot of problems down the road. We advocate for using four usually- Liquid Chlorine, CYA Stabilizer, Muriatic Acid and calcium for plaster/fiberglass pools only. That's it.

Does your heater have a bypass valve on it?

Oh and yes there is a bypass for the heat pump

 

[mknauss]

Don't know what a SWG is?

SaltWater Chlorine Generator. You maintain a low level salinity and that with the SWCG creates the chlorine you need each day.

The test kit is Taylor K-2005 kit however I am shopping for a good digital tester currently.

There are no good digital testers, except for pH. Add a FAS-DPD (K1515) to your K2005 and you will have the best test kit available.

We don't have Home Depot or an Ace Hardware.

But you have a Lowes -- they have liquid chlorine.

The Dang POOLWORX

Pool Doctor

No idea what those are. Read Pool Care Basics and use PoolMath

 

[STWMaintenance]

The post title mentions using too much acid, but then you say your PH is "still" 6.9. Your PH is actually on the low side, why add muriatic acid if your PH is low?


There is a lot of info you posted, but I do believe it is important to take a step back, and read some of the articles posted about the TFP ways of proper water care. Nothing in your posts, or follow up suggest you are following the TFP methods of water care...




The long list of notes you pasted in the original post, are those from a pool care service? I have seen lists just like this from a friend who has a rental house and hasn't gotten on board with the TFP way just yet. He shows me the list, just like you presented, from his pool service, and he equally has crazy amounts of results, and equally crazy things put into his water.

It almost feels like a reset is needed, so no guess work is involved, and we can keep it nice and simple. No long list of test results that are probably incorrect. No crazy chemicals added that are not needed, and no need for a service or pool store to rely on and make things worse.

The TFP way of pool care is very simple. As others have posted above, it requires very little different chemicals, but more importantly, it is based on test results, from one of the recognized best tests, to determine what needs to be done. The first step in figuring any of this out, is get yourself one of the best test kits. Test Kits Compared I like the TFTest kits Pro, I think its the best bang for your buck, and if you have a SWCG, get the salt model. A little bit of price up front, but just by testing the water yourself, you would avoid the unnecessary expense of all those other chemicals and it will pay for itself.

Download the PoolMath app as well, use the "effects of adding" feature, and see how much liquid chlorine you should add to equal about 4ppm per day while you wait for the test kit to arrive. While you wait, take a look at those links above, really great info. When you get the kit, post up the results and you will be on your way to a really Trouble Free Pool in no time.

Thank you! All of that we good info and addresses some of the questions I have had. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer. As I said I am GREEEEEEENNNN so the longer explanations are very useful.

 

[STWMaintenance]

Poolwerx is the local pool store and Pool Doctor is an App on the iphone that was highly recommended also

No idea what those are

 

[STWMaintenance]

But you have a Lowes -- they have liquid chlorine.

As I posted earlier Lowes doesn't have any in stock. I know I can order chems but I need to fix the pool asap. I am not stuck on the use of the chems that we are currently using. The previous maintainer was who purchased and used most the chemicals I currently have. I am not stuck to using any of the chems and don't have any pre-existing preferences so I am open to try anything.

 

[mknauss]

As I posted earlier Lowes doesn't have any in stock.

Interesting. Their website states they do.

Good luck.

 

[Mdragger88]

You want your ph to be in the 7’s - no lower. Please stop adding acid. You may be doing damage to your surfaces & equipment continuously lowering ph below 7.
You said you need to “fix the pool asap”, what other problems are you having?
Is the water clear or is there visible algae?

What stands out is that Your fc is too low for your cya level FC/CYA Levels
Liquid chlorine is needed to bring that up to target of 6ppm asap. As mentioned above Multiple stores carry this- lowes, Home Depot, menards, ace hardware, walmart (says it’s available for shipping) etc. also some pool stores- you may need to call around to the ones in your area. If you can’t find any dedicated “pool” liquid chlorine, plain unscented bleach from the grocery store/dollar general will do, be sure it is not splashless, & has no “cloromax” or “fabric protection” generics often have these attributes, name brand clorox should be avoided.
PoolMath can help with the calculations based on the percentage/strength you are able to aquire.
The cal hypo (which adds calcium) is not doing you any favors as your ch is already quite high so it’s use should be discontinued.
As mentioned above you don’t need to add acid at this time.
Your Ta is fine so no need for messing with that.
Get your fc inline & then we can help you sort out why your swg isn’t maintaining your fc.