davem

Mark provided a link to an article on lowering PH and Alkalinity. I followed the instructions and was finally able to lower both to normal levels. This is what I did. I picked up a box (4 bottles) of Muratic Acid from the pool supply. I started on Monday and added about 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon of acid to the deep end. Now I do have a return jet in my top step which the builder called a Sun Shelf or basically an extra large step. It's pretty close to the top of the water so it creates a lot of bubbles which helps aerate as described in the article. After adding the acid I took my brush on the pole and would plunge it in and out of the water. This created a lot of bubbles and would stir up the water pretty well. I mainly focused on the deep end where I placed the acid but I tried to move around a little. I would do this for around 5 to maybe 10 minutes or until my arms got tired. Of course my pump was running at the time and I would let it run for a few hours after to circulate the water. I repeated the above process every day Monday through Friday and I used no more than 3 gallons of acid. Think it was like 2 1/2 gallons actually. I had the water tested on Saturday and my PH was at 7.5 and Alkalinity was at 120 ppm which was awesome because my PH had not been below 8.2 since the pool was installed! I continued doing the above but now every 2 to 3 days. Had it tested again and my PH was 7.2! Now as far as acid goes I was told I would have to add it pretty regularly while the plaster cured. 6 months to a year???? I have not heard anything about acid damaging the pipes or equipment. I wouldn't think it could damage the pipes since you only add a small amount of acid to several thousand gallons of water. My builder said he would actually add acid while he was in the pool! Don't think I'll be trying that. Anyway, I just wanted to replay to say thanks to Mark and let others know of my success.

Thanks for the information. Initially the plaster was a white color with some small gray spots in it. Now it seems more gray with small white spots. It almost looks like dirt in the plaster. I think that's the best way I can describe it. Its hardly noticeable at this point and more so when its cloudy outside or very little sunshine. Guess its just something I'll have to deal with. Thanks again.

Pool has been installed about 6 weeks now and I have a salt system. I was told the alkalinity would be high the first year while the plaster cures. I started adding muratic acid in gallon bottles as instructed by my builder. Recenly I've been taking my water to have it tested at the local pool supply and everything looks good except the Alkalinity and PH. Saturday the Alkalinity tested at 160 ppm, Tuesday at 130 ppm and Thursday at 190 ppm. PH always shows 8.2 I was given "Easy Acid" by the Pool Supply and told to add two bags on Saturday, it looked high on Sunday so I added another bag, Tuesday I was told to add another and Thursday to add two more. That makes 6 bags of "Easy Acid" in 6 days! 1 bag is supposed to equal a gallon of Muratic Acid. Is this normal? Cyanuric Acid has tested in the range of 75 to 85 ppm which appears to be good. Water is very clear. Can I expect to keep adding acid at this rate or is there something else I need to look at? Maybe I should just switch back to the bottled Muratic Acid from Home Depot.

Inground gunite pool with a salt system installed about 6 weeks now. This is my first pool so I am new to all this stuff. Went through the start up procedures with my builder and now I am on my own. I assumed the plaster would be a bright white color but I initially noticed a very slight grayish color to it. It was very subtle at first but now I am noticing it more and more. I am very *** and I notice the slightest imperfections. You can barely see it when the sun is out. Water is very clear. PH is high but as expected while the plaster cures so I've been told. I had my water tested at the local pool supply and everything is good except the PH. The pool supply technician says the plaster appears gray because the PH is very high so it pulls in water. They say if I get the PH to a normal level this should minimize after a while. Does this sound correct? It doesn't look that bad but I just want the plaster to appear as clean as possible.