It is common amongst pool owners to use acid to treat pool water without really knowing what acid is for. A common pool mistake is to add acid to the water thinking it will maintain the pH and kill algae. However, it is vital to test the water before adding acid as acid is only used to reduce the pH and alkalinity – it cannot be used as an algaecide. Adding acid without testing the water first reduces not only the pH but also the Total Alkalinity as the alkalinity buffers the pH. The Pool Team is here to advise on when to use acid and how to administer the product.
When To Use Pool Acid
As mentioned above, it is important to test the pool’s pH and Total Alkalinity levels before adding acid to ensure the water is not overdosed with acid.
Measuring pH sounds rather complicated but it really just refers to how acidic or alkaline the pool water is.
The pH level is measured on a scale from 1 to 14, where 1 is acidic and 14 is alkaline. The ideal pH range for swimming pool water is between 7.2 – 7.8. However, acid should only be used when the pH is above 7.8.
How to Add Acid
There are different methods to add acid depending on what it is needed for.
Follow this step-by-step guide on how to add Aqua Pro Acid in order to reduce the pool’s pH (based on a 50 000 litre pool):
The Pool Team recommends only adding 250ml of Aqua Pro Acid per dose. It is important to test the water after each dose to determine if another dose is necessary.
- Always remember to get the basics right first: Test the water; clean out the weir and pump baskets; backwash and rinse. This is to ensure that you obtain the best results from the products added.
- Dilute 250ml of Aqua Pro Acid into a bucket of water
- Pour the diluted acid through the weir with the system on bypass/circulate.
- Ensure that the pool is on circulate for at least 3 hours in order for the acid to fully circulate through the pool. Re-test the pH after 3 hours and if it is still high, repeat the process.
Watch this video to learn how to use Aqua Pro Acid to lower pH in a pool.
Follow this step-by-step guide on how to add Aqua Pro Acid in order to reduce the pool’s Total Alkalinity (based on a 50 000 litre pool):
- Always remember to get the basics right first: Test the water; clean out the weir and pump baskets; backwash and rinse. This is to ensure that you obtain the best results from the products added.
- Turn off the pool system and pour 1 litre of Aqua Pro Acid into the deep end of the pool.
- Leave the pool system off for approximately 2 to 3 hours.
- Turn your system back on and allow the water to circulate while the alkalinity levels adjust.
- Retest the alkalinity levels the following day and if it is still high, repeat the process.
Watch this video to learn how to use Aqua Pro Acid to lower Alkalinity in a pool.
Contact a professional at any of The Pool Team stores for further advice on your personal acid solution.
2 years ago