Adding Muriatic Acid

[Mattikuss]

Hi Friends,

Adding MA because my TA is at 240 and my pH is at 8.2. Is this a bad idea to add it this way? I put a tiny hole in the top and it’s coming out drip by drip, probably take a couple hours for it to bleed out.

 

[ajw22]

That slow add of MA is not going to effect your TA as much as you need.

I would pour 1/2 gallon into the pool, wait 15 minutes, retest pH, and repeat until your pH is 7.2.

Then aerate to raise pH or wait a day or two until pH is back above 8 and repeat the MA addition process.

 

[Mattikuss]

That slow add of MA is not going to effect your TA as much as you need.

I would pour 1/2 gallon into the pool, wait 15 minutes, retest pH, and repeat until your pH is 7.2.

Then aerate to raise pH or wait a day or two until pH is back above 8 and repeat the MA addition process.

interesting. I wouldn’t have thought rate would play that big of a role. Thank you for the info! I’ll add it quicker.

 

[pjt]

Is this a bad idea to add it this way?

Yes, very bad idea. MA is inherently dangerous. A dog/kid/wind gust could send the bottle rolling around your pool deck or into the pool.

Just pour directly from the bottle into the pool. The important concept is minimizing the handling of MA. Every time it's handled (measuring cup, diluting in a bucket, etc.), you increase the risk of spilling or splashing. The exact amount of MA isn't critical. You can always add more if needed.

Open the bottle over the water. Pour in front of a return with the pump running. The bottle opening should be just above the surface of the water (~1 inch). You can partially submerge the bottle and use its buoyancy to assist. Slowly pour (pencil stream). Keep the bottle over the water when replacing the cap. When the cap is snug, dunk the entire bottle under the water and slowly swish around to remove any MA that may have trickled down the outside of the bottle. When done pouring, use your pool brush to mix the area if desired.

 

[Mattikuss]

Yes, very bad idea. MA is inherently dangerous. A dog/kid/wind gust could send the bottle rolling around your pool deck or into the pool.

Just pour directly from the bottle into the pool. The important concept is minimizing the handling of MA. Every time it's handled (measuring cup, diluting in a bucket, etc.), you increase the risk of spilling or splashing. The exact amount of MA isn't critical. You can always add more if needed.

Open the bottle over the water. Pour in front of a return with the pump running. The bottle opening should be just above the surface of the water (~1 inch). You can partially submerge the bottle and use its buoyancy to assist. Slowly pour (pencil stream). Keep the bottle over the water when replacing the cap. When the cap is snug, dunk the entire bottle under the water and slowly swish around to remove any MA that may have trickled down the outside of the bottle. When done pouring, use your pool brush to mix the area if desired.

Great! I'll do it this way. I spilled some on my concrete and it stains. This sounds like it will avoid that issue altogether.

 

[TinFoilHat]

I pour mine into a two pint measuring cup. I hold my breath, uncap the bottle and pour the amount I need into the cup. Then I pour that into the pool, rinse the cup 2x and cap the bottle. Then I turn and walk away against the wind to get my next breath. It's not a hard task if you have decent lung capacity.

 

[pjt]

I pour mine into a two pint measuring cup.

No need to use a measuring cup. That introduces the risk of spilling or splashing. Just pour directly from the bottle, it's faster, easier, and safer.

 

[TinFoilHat]

I poor easy into the cup with no splash. While I might add "1/2 gallon" or so of chlorine, I do measure in my MA.