Muriatic Acid - light film on top of water, normal?

[mrbookmanlibrarycop]

Hey all,

Just opened yesterday and everything went well! I am currently trying to lower my PH to 7.5. I've been using the "green" MA from box stores that is 15.725%, but I found an unused bottle in my barn from the previous owner that is about a year old, that is the good stuff, 31.45% 20 Baume. I put in the 1 cup as recommended in pool math, and i noticed that there was a light film type substance on top of the pool, almost like a gloss? Is that normal for the higher strength stuff? It definitely smelled stronger! I broke the water up by running my pole around and it seemed to break up the MA more.

So, is that normal? I just poured it about 10 min ago so I will check in 20-30 min if it lowered it any. Does MA expire or go bad? Searching through the forum most folks said it doesn't so figured i was in the clear.

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

Have to admit I do not see the issue in the pool water pictures.

But, no, MA should immediately mix into the water. Pour it slowly at the return stream into the pool.

MA itself does not go bad. But be ware of the plastic bottle breaking down over time.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Any time you add chemicals to the pool, brushing to make sure they're mixing in and not settling into one spot is always a good idea.

Maddie

 

[mrbookmanlibrarycop]

Thanks @mknauss, might not be the biggest issue. I did pour it very slow, took about a minute for a cup. I blew up on image a bit so maybe can see it better, you are right it is hard to see. Look on the top left, looks like clumped together, and when i break them up can see the yellow/orange tint of the MA go into the water.

Like i said, i broke it up pretty good so I will just test in a little and see if it worked

 

[mknauss]

The MA is denser than water. I can see it enter the water in a cloudy mass that falls. If that is what you see on the surface, I would be concerned in using that product. Not sure what it is!

 

[duraleigh]

I am with mknauss. Muriatic should sink and blend immediately. If you have something floating I would get rid of it.

 

[ajw22]

I would not assume it is MA in a MA bottle left in a barn by an unknown person.

 

[mrbookmanlibrarycop]

LOL @ajw22 yeah I learned my lesson, just gonna use the bottles i buy, only reason why i considered is because i broke the seal of the bottle

Either way, it did lower the PH and i was able to scoop out some floating material, also brushed and Vacc'd (and no more MA smell) so i think i dodged a bullet

Thanks all